SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Sunday that he might try several players to bat at or near the top of the order while second baseman Joe Panik recovers from his sprained left thumb.
Panik, who could be sidelined for six to eight weeks, typically batted leadoff against right-handed starters and second against lefties. Among likely replacements at second base, Kelby Tomlinson, a right-handed batter, would be an obvious choice to bat first against lefties, with switch-hitting Alen Hanson starting against righties.
However, since Hanson is relatively new to the organization -- he was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year before beginning the season in Triple-A -- Tomlinson could face right-handed starters occasionally.