Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Giants notes: 'Light at the end of the tunnel' for Pence
Share This Post
Comments
Monday, July 11, 2016 - 11:30am
Follow @@AlexPavlovic

SAN FRANCISCO — For the first time since 1993, the Giants entered the All-Star break with the best record in baseball. They expect to get even stronger soon after the four-day break this week.

Hunter Pence could start a rehab assignment in about a week, manager Bruce Bochy said before Sunday’s game, and he should be back in the big leagues by the end of the month. Bochy said the current timetable has him “really close” to returning on the next homestand. The Giants visit San Diego, Boston and New York right out of the break and return home July 25 to host the Reds.

[RATTO: MLB-best Giants take hollow honor into All-Star break]

“We’re seeing the light at the end of the tunnel with Hunter,” Bochy said.

Pence had hamstring surgery on June 9 and was expected to miss six-to-eight weeks. A return July 25 would put him at the front end of that estimate. Pence took BP with the rest of the team Sunday and ran sprints at 80 percent effort. 

The Giants should get another key bat back before the next homestand. Second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) has shown significant improvement the last couple days and may be playing minor league games before the end of this week. He could join the Giants in Boston or New York. Panik will stay in San Francisco during the break to continue his rehab work.

The other missing starter, Matt Duffy, is a bit further away. Duffy (Achilles) has taken a break from running because he felt some soreness, but he’ll test his leg out on Monday. Like Panik, he's sticking around during the break to work with trainers. 

[RELATED: Despite top record in MLB, Giants boast second best title odds]

“We’re hopeful that when he tests it out he’ll turn the corner,” Bochy said. 

Duffy and the Giants are committed to being cautious with this one, knowing that other players who dealt with similar Achilles issues have rushed back and suffered a rupture. With a 6 1/2 game lead in the West they can afford to play it a bit slow, and Bochy is hoping that any extra rest now leads to big things in August and September.

“They should have fresh legs, they should be stronger,” Bochy said of the returning players. “It’s a grind of a season. To go 162 games — Hunter did it a few years ago — but it’s become near-impossible.”

--- Cory Gearrin said he’s already seeing improvement in his sore pitching shoulder and the current plan is to have him back on the roster when his 15 days on the DL are up. Gearrin may not need a rehab assignment and he already has talked to the staff about just throwing a couple of bullpen sessions. Because the Giants are going to be on the East Coast, it wouldn’t be as simple as driving him down to San Jose for a night or two.

Gearrin said he had similar tendinitis when he was pitching for the Braves a few years back.

“Being a younger guy, I tried to pitch through it,” he said. “This time the timing is kind of nice. You’re going on the 15-day DL right at the All-Star break, but we had a day off Thursday and we have two on the next trip, so you’re maybe only missing (a few) games.”

Gearrin had a 2.16 ERA before his final five appearances, and Bochy thought the shoulder injury was keeping him from throwing good sliders during that stretch. So, his return should be a solid boost to the bullpen. Having a healthy Gearrin in the seventh and Sergio Romo in the eighth is a nice luxury.

--- Kelby Tomlinson was optioned to Triple-A late Sunday night, ending his rehab assignment. Tomlinson has just two hits in 25 at-bats for the River Cats while recovering from a thumb injury, but this might have been the move regardless of his play. Grant Green and Ramiro Pena are out of options, and the Giants don't want to expose them to waivers. If Green and Pena keep playing well, it's possible Tomlinson is in the minors until Sept. 1. 

Ehire Adriana is also out of options, which is probably the main reason why he hasn't started a rehab assignment yet. There will be a serious roster crunch when Panik and Duffy return to the active roster. 

--- Brandon Crawford seemed to be on his own personal “I Should Have Been An All-Star” destruction tour all week. In the five games after the teams were announced (and he was snubbed) Crawford had eight hits and drove in eight runs. He entered the break with a team-high 61 RBI. 

“I feel good at the plate,” he said. “The RBI numbers really have a lot to do with guys getting on in front of me.”

Crawford pointed out that he has driven in that many runs despite having only nine homers. Then he nodded toward Buster Posey’s locker.

“Speedy over there scores from first a lot,” he said. 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Morning Minute: Cueto takes All-Star Game loss; Warriors introduce Pachulia
1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
Warriors' Draymond Green addresses arrest in Michigan

Giants

Giants notes: Pence, Panik ready for rehab assignments
D'backs option struggling RHP Miller to Triple-A
Giants GM Evans: Panik 'as close to 100 percent as you can imagine'
Ten questions facing Giants in second half of season
Read More

Athletics

Red Sox acquire former A's LHP Pomeranz from Padres
Five second-half predictions for A's
A's scratch Rich Hill from Friday's start vs Blue Jays
The A's Insider Podcast: Radio broadcaster Vince Cotroneo
Read More

Sharks

Crosby: 'I appreciate (Cup) a little bit more' this time
McPhee inadvertently coins society's next big phrase
Report: Former Caps GM to run NHL's Vegas expansion team
Sharks set up well for next summer's expansion draft
Read More

49ers

Report: Saints 'making the strongest push' for FA Boldin
Former 49ers receiver among NFL's best in red zone
49ers to face NFL's most difficult schedule in 2016 season
Forbes' 50 most valuable sports teams: 49ers vault to Top 10
Read More

Raiders

Raiders' top pick Joseph: 'Cant wait to put pads back on'
Raiders in top third of league's easiest schedules in 2016
Family sues Chiefs over fan's beating death at Arrowhead
More work remains on Vegas stadium plan: 'Not at the end'
Read More

Warriors

Kerr knew nothing about McCaw, believes he can play as rookie
McCaw lights up Raptors in Warriors' summer league loss
Raptors jokingly ask Warriors to sit McCaw in summer league
Kerr: 'I'll never get over' losing Game 7 of NBA Finals to Cavs
Read More

NCAA

Rosen, three other Pac-12 QBs on Davey O'Brien watch list
Pac-12 parity rooted in quarterback changes at power schools
Fighting for money, Penn State exhibits staggering vileness again
Crabbe staying in Portland after Blazers match Nets' offer
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • G-Mag
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Giants notes: Pence, Panik ready for rehab assignments
(7)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Belt: 'I will never forget' first All-Star Game experience
Belt: 'I will never forget' first All-Star Game experience
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Giants notes: Pence, Panik ready for rehab assignments
  • Ten questions facing Giants in second half of season
  • MLB Power Rankings: Giants setting the pace entering second half
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • All A's
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Red Sox acquire former A's LHP Pomeranz from Padres
(4)
Associated Press

A's VIDEO

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Crosby: 'I appreciate (Cup) a little bit more' this time
Associated Press

SHARKS VIDEO

Wilson: After run to Cup Final, Sharks 'set to be good for long time'
Wilson: After run to Cup Final, Sharks 'set to be good for long time'
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Warriors Central
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets
  • Stream the Warriors on Live Extra

Latest News

Kerr knew nothing about McCaw, believes he can play as rookie
(4)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
1-on-1 with Zaza Pachulia: A 'perfect fit' with Warriors
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Pachulia wants to start after 'personal' decision to join Warriors
  • Analysis: Draymond's pattern of behavior cause for alarm
  • Source: Warriors yet to pursue ex-Bucks center Sanders
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider James Ham
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Stream the Kings on Live Extra

Latest News

Kings' summer coach: Labissiere has bright NBA future
(4)
ProBasketballTalk

Kings Video

Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
Ham: Kings 'making lot of phone calls;' trade on the way?
See more >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Report: Saints 'making the strongest push' for FA Boldin
(12)
CSN Bay Area staff

49ers VIDEO

Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
Kap 'building a new foundation' in 49ers' new regime
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Raiders' top pick Joseph: 'Cant wait to put pads back on'
CSN Bay Area staff

RAIDERS VIDEO

Horrow: Airport politics could derail Raiders-to-Las Vegas
Horrow: Airport politics could derail Raiders-to-Las Vegas
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Five Raiders with most to prove in training camp
  • Seth Roberts 'creating separation' with consistent approach
  • Favre: Carr not a gunslinger, 'he's a little more polished'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Despite Ronaldo injury, Portugal shocks France in Euro Final
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Earthquakes cough one up at Avaya to FC Dallas
Iceland's run ends with 5-2 loss to France in Euro quarters
(4)
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Five second-half predictions for A's
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Giants notes: Pence, Panik ready for rehab assignments
(7)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Five players who face make-or-break seasons with 49ers
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Five Raiders with most to prove in training camp
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Pachulia wants to start after 'personal' decision to join Warriors
(42)
See more >

JAMES HAM

How eight new additions fit Kings' roster in 2016-17
(3)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks set up well for next summer's expansion draft
(37)
See more >

RAY RATTO

McPhee inadvertently coins society's next big phrase

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

s

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • Combat Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
Call to the Pen: Outfielders edition with Burns, Reddick
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Steph-in' Amazing
  • Cookin' with the Currys
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • James Ham - Kings
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California