Angel Pagan, out of the San Francisco Giants lineup since May 25th (placed on the DL May 28th) with a strained hamstring, may not return at all this season.
Pagan, the Giants leadoff hitter and starting centerfielder, was playing his first rehab game last week for Class A San Jose when he re-injured the hamstring and had to be carted off the field. It turns out that Pagan suffered a partial tear which requires surgery to repair. The rehabilitation time for this type of surgery is 10-12 weeks according to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, meaning Pagan could be lost for the rest of the regular season.
“It’s a loss, there’s no getting around it,” Bochy told reporters. “When you lose your leadoff hitter, the guy who led off for you all the way through the World Series, and played a significant role helping you win a World Series, there’s no question it’s a loss.”
Pagan was hitting .262/.314/.374 with three home runs, 24 RBIs, and six stolen bases in 46 games for the Giants this season. In 2012 he hit .288/.338/.440 with 8 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 29 Stolen bases. Pagan, 31 (32 on July 2nd), signed a new 4-year, $40 million contract with the Giants after their World Series Win.
For now, the Giants are expected to continue to use Gregor Blanco in Pagan’s centerfield spot in the majority of their games. However with the trade deadline just five weeks away, that could change if the Giants are able to find an upgrade on the market.
The Giants are also missing third baseman Pablo Sandoval, as he deals with issues with his foot.
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