Hunter Pence rejoins Giants lineup on Saturday
The San Francisco Giants have proven to be a resilient group during their recent run of remarkable success. However, it’s apparent they aren’t quite the same without the heartbeat of their lineup, right fielder Hunter Pence, in the lineup
Fortunately for them, they won’t be without Pence any longer.
On Friday, Pence completed his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacremento and traveled to Cincinnati. On Saturday, he was activated from the disabled list and inserted into the Giants lineup batting sixth and playing his customary right field.
Pence’s return comes 10 weeks after he suffered a fractured left forearm on a hit-by-pitch on March 5. The original timetable called for Pence to miss 6-to-8 weeks. However, like Curtis Granderson, who suffered the same injury last season, it ended up being a 10-week process.
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According to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, the Giants were actually prepared to be without Pence longer as he accumulated between 30 and 40 plate appearances during his rehab assignment, but he proved ready to go after just 17.
“It’s probably a little sooner than we thought, but the way he’s swinging, he’s ready,” Bochy said. “The last couple games have been good for him. He says he’s never felt better, so he’s on his way. We missed him: his presence and energy and enthusiasm, all those things, and the talent he brings.”
The silver lining for San Francisco is that much of Pence’s lost time came during spring training. Healthy now, they fully expect to have him in the lineup for the final 4 1/2 months of the season, which should obviously be a big boost to the offense.
“The offense can always use a Hunter Pence, and that’s my answer,” Bochy said. “The guy’s a great player. Power, speed, great in the clubhouse. Any lineup can use a Hunter Pence.”
We knew it would be a struggle for San Francisco to score runs this season after Pablo Sandoval and Michael Morse left in free agency. The injury to Pence put more strain on their offense overall and more pressure on guys like Brandon Belt, Casey McGehee and Gregor Blanco to be productive early.
So far, it hasn’t worked out very well. As a result, the Giants enter play on Saturday with 125 runs scored in 36 games, which is tied for third-fewest in MLB. Despite that, however, they’ve been able to stay afloat in the NL West. With Friday’s 10-2 win in Cincinnati, they’re 18-18 and poised to make a run if and when things come together.
With a healthy Hunter Pence, the Giants are definitely better positioned to make that happen. Five months from now, his return on Saturday could well be the day we point to as San Francisco’s turning point.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
