SF Giants lineup: Scutaro returns, Perez gets another start

Giants second baseman Marco Scutaro returns to the lineup after missing a week with “mallet finger”. Scoots was struck by a pitch in Pittsburgh, sustaining ligament damage in his pinky finger. The Giants elected to not put their second baseman under the knife and therefore on the disabled list, choosing to let the veteran play through the pain. Tony Abreu and Nick Noonan had been filling in, and will be reserves in tonight’s game against San Diego.

With Angel Pagan set to come off the DL in a few days, the Giants corresponding roster move will likely to be sending Nick Noonan to Triple-A. As a young player, he would benefit from reps that a starting gig can provide. Though hobbled by a leg injury, Abreu has outplayed Noonan and wouldn’t need to be fully healthy to succeed in a utility role. Besides, you tell Juan Perez his defense hasn’t justified a roster spot.

FanGraphs’ Eno Sarris reported that Pablo Sandoval was taking grounders and didn’t seem to be favoring his foot. Panda should be the last piece of the lineup to return, ideally following Scutaro and Pagan to reunite the band.

Here’s the lineup against RHP Andrew Cashner (5-3, 3.52 ERA):

LF Blanco

2B Scutaro

C Posey

RF Pence

1B Belt

SS Crawford

3B Arias

CF Perez

RHP Cain (5-3, 4.70)