It was in Cincinnati where Hunter Pence looked around the clubhouse in late 2012 and told a reeling group of teammates that he wanted one more day with them. Three years later — and with the stakes considerably lower — Pence will get at least two more days at Great American Ballpark with his Giants teammates.
Pence wasn’t expected to be activated during this six-game road trip, but the Giants have flown him to Cincinnati and plan Pence to be active for this weekend’s games. He will be evaluated on Saturday morning before the third game of this four-game series.
Pence has not played this season because of a fractured forearm suffered when he was hit by a pitch in his second spring training game. The right fielder was 5-for-17 with two homers during a halted rehab assignment with the Sacramento River Cats. The Giants wanted him to get about twice that many at-bats in the minors, but Pence has been said to look good during his rehab assignment and the lineup could certainly use the boost.
The Giants rank 14th out of 15 National League teams in runs and 13th in homers. While the Giants did not immediately announce a corresponding move, it is unlikely that they will continue to carry three catchers. Hector Sanchez has seen little action since Andrew Susac was recalled and would seem the likely bet to take Pence's spot in Sacramento.
