Pence to play when ready

Hunter Pence is taking batting practice and throwing without pain.

“He’s doing well,” manager Bruce Bochy said Tuesday. “It won’t be long before he starts playing in games.”

The elephant in the room, of course, is who will play left field when Pence comes off the disabled list.

Bochy smiled and said, “That’s a big elephant.”

Bochy has a few days to work out that decision. Pence is eligible to return Sunday but will play in some minor-league rehab games first.

“We’ll cross that bridge when Hunter’s ready,” Bochy said. “They always tell you that’s a good problem to have. Hopefully, that’s a good problem we’ll have with five guys in the outfield playing well. I’ve always said this is a workable situation, having them all involved and keeping them fresh.”

The Giants actually would have six outfielders, likely requiring a roster move with an established backup.

Imagining a lineup without Mac Williamson in left is tough after watching him hit 898 feet worth of homers on two swings. Bochy noted that Williamson played mostly right field in Sacramento and could play the other corner, too. And remember, Andrew McCutchen was a center fielder until this year.

Longoria’s apology: Players often say they need not apologize to teammates for mistakes because all make them. Not third baseman Evan Longoria, who twice told Chris Stratton he was sorry for dropping Bryce Harper’s sixth-inning pop foul Monday night.

Stratton then walked

Harper and had to escape a second-and-third, one-out jam after McCutchen whiffed ona Ryan Zimmerman flyball to right.

Longoria intercepted Stratton as they walked off the field to say he was sorry and praise him for the escape act, and again after the 4-2 victory, because he knew the error combined with McCutchen’s cost Stratton a shot to go seven innings.

“If I get to a ball and it hits my glove, I feel I should catch it,” Longoria said. “There’s no shame in saying sorry to anybody. He only gets to play once every five days. When he pitches like he did, you want to give him the best opportunity to win.” Rotation update: The Giants likely will push back Derek Holland’s next scheduled start and pitch Johnny Cueto, Stratton and Ty Blach against the Dodgers on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Stratton would pitch the opener of Saturday’s day-night doubleheader. The Giants will need a spot starter for the nightcap, most likely Andrew Suarez.

Jeff Samardzija and Holland then could pitch the first two games of the San Diego series Monday and Tuesday.