Hunter Pence's return from hamstring surgery is no longer an abstract. Now, there are potential dates.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday he could envision Pence beginning a minor-league rehab assignment in a week then rejoining the Giants during the first post-break homesetand, which begins July 25.
July 28, the following Thursday, will mark seven weeks since the operation.
"He's coming along with his running, about 80 percent," Bochy said. "We's seeing light at the end of the tunnel."
Joe Panik might beat Pence back to the active roster. Bochy said the concussed second baseman was doing "real well" and will not need as many minor-league games as Pence, but needs to be cleared medically.