UPDATE (2:30pm on Thursday) -- The Giants activated Joe Panik from the disabled list and designated Grant Green for assignment, the team announced.
***
Programming note: Nationals-Giants coverage starts tonight at 6:30pm with Giants Pregame Live on CSN Bay Area.
Joe Panik's return to the Giants is imminent.
As in, tonight.
"Panik probably will be in tonight's starting lineup, and Pence hopefully this weekend," Giants GM Bobby Evans announced on KNBR 680 on Thursday.
[RELATED: Giants notes: No rushing Pence; Panik feeling good]
Panik has not played since June 27 because of concussion-like symptoms.
Over 20 games from June 3 to June 25, Panik hit .300 with 13 RBI to go along with a .349 on-base percentage.
Pence sustained a torn hamstring on June 1, and underwent surgery on June 9.
He's hitting .298 with seven home runs and 36 RBI through 50 games this season.
In six rehab games with Triple-A Sacramento, Pence is batting .450 with three home runs and six RBI.
The Giants are 2-9 since the All-Star break and lead the Dodgers by 2.5 games in the NL West.
