Giants' Hunter Pence could be headed back to disabled list

NEW YORK -- Hunter Pence could be headed back to the disabled list.

The San Francisco Giants right fielder, who didn't make his season debut until mid-May because of a broken left forearm, has not played since June 2 because of a sore left wrist. He did not play in Chris Heston's no-hitter Tuesday night, a 5-0 win over the New York Mets.

San Francisco could make a DL stint retroactive and Pence would be eligible to be activated June 17.

"Possibility. I don't say likely," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "Ask me that in the next day or so, and then I may switch over to likely."

Pence felt OK when he hit off a tee, but there was soreness when he took soft-toss swings.

"Took some swings today and we just felt like he's just not quite there," Bochy said.

Pence was hit on the left arm by a pitch from Chicago Cubs prospect Corey Black early in spring training.

Gregor Blanco, who had been scheduled to start in right field Tuesday, may have a concussion and was scratched. He was replaced by Justin Maxwell.

Bochy said Blanco was injured Sunday at Philadelphia, when he was running across the infield on the way the outfield during pregame practice and was hit by a ball Brandon Belt had thrown to Joe Panik.

"He ran right into it," Bochy said. "We tested him then. He was fine. But today he had some issues, headaches. So we're going to see if we can clear him tomorrow. If not, we'll get a player up here."

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Matt Cain, sidelined since last July 9 by right elbow surgery and then a strained flexor tendon, began a minor league rehabilitation assignment with Double-A Richmond against Portland. Cain allowed two runs and three hits in 3 2/3 innings. He struck out two, walked one and threw 48 pitches.

Bochy said Cain will have to make at least three minor league appearances before returning to the Giants.

"He'll probably pitch in Sacramento in his next start," Bochy said.

Jake Peavy, returning from a strained lower back that has sidelined him since April 17, is to make his third rehab start this week, for Triple-A Sacramento. Bochy said Peavy will need at least one more minor league outing after that.