Pagan has new back problem
Bochy says injury in area different from2014 surgery
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Giants are in worry mode regarding outfielder Angel Pagan.
Pagan, 33, hasn’t played since Saturday and has been scratched from the lineup for three straight days. He had a painkilling injection to relieve stiffness in his lower back Thursday.
According to manager Bruce Bochy, Pagan is going to miss at least three more days. Bochy added that the back problem is in a different area from the spot where Pagan had surgery in September to relieve pressure on a bulging disk.
The Giants are down two projected starting outfielders with right fielder Hunter Pence out with a fractured left forearm. Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers, the Giants started an outfield of Nori Aoki in left, Gregor Blanco in center and nonroster invitee Justin Maxwell in right.
“I think we need to be concerned. He’s hit a bump in the road, so I’m a little concerned,” Bochy said. “We’ve got Hunter down, we’d like to get (Pagan) out there as much as we can, and I don’t know how much he’s going to be able to.”
Pagan, who arrived at spring training Feb. 20 proclaiming to be fully healthy and ready to play the full schedule, has played in just seven of the club’s 17 spring training games. He’s 2 for 16 (.125).
Bochy said the Giants would be giving Travis Ishikawa more time in left field in the coming days, and if Pagan’s absence becomes protracted, it could be good news for Maxwell, who signed a minor league contract with San Francisco in November.
Maxwell, 31, hit 18 home runs with Houston in 2012. He split time between the Astros and Kansas City Royals in 2013 and played in 20 games with the Royals in 2014, hitting just .150 with no home runs. He hit .285 with eight homers and 29 RBI at Triple-A Omaha.
The Giants could also look to make a deal for an outfielder. There has been speculation they could be interested in Boston’s Allen Craig. The Red Sox have indicated they won’t be selling low on Craig.
In house, the Giants also have Juan Perez as an outfield option.