Hunter Pence to begin rehab assignment Friday at Triple-A Sacramento

San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pencewill begin a rehab assignment Friday atTriple-A Sacramento, manager Bruce Bochy said, as the slugger continues his recovery froma broken left forearm he suffered while getting hit by a pitch in spring training.

According to reports, Bochy would not offer an estimate on Pence's return to the Giants.

"He's going to need at-bats," Bochy said of Pence, according to MLB.com. "He has to get built up to [play] nine innings."

Pence, who took live batting practice before Thursday's game, was estimated to miss six to eight weeks after suffering the injury March 6. He had hoped to return by May 1.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.