Angel Pagan injury: Giants outfielder dealing with mild groin strain

The team believes that the injury is not serious, and the outfielder should return soon.

By Connor Moylan May 8, 2013, 7:59pm EDT

The San Francisco Giants held outfielder Angel Pagan out of the lineup on Wednesday as he is dealing with a mild groin strain. The team doesn't believe that the injury is too serious, and is hopeful that Pagan can return to the lineup on Thursday.

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Pagan underwent an MRI on Wednesday, which revealed the injury. Giants manager Bruce Bochy told the media that Pagan could have started the game if necessary, but he chose to rest the outfielder in an attempt to avoid any setbacks.

The injury is not the first of the year for Pagan, as the centerfielder missed two games against the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier this season with a strained right hamstring. The two injuries appear unrelated.

Bochy said that the injury only bothers Pagan when he is at the plate. The outfielder went 0-3 on Tuesday, but has been around average at the plate so far this season, hitting .268/.319/.358. Pagan has generally been an average hitter throughout his major-league career, but with solid defense in center field and exceptional baserunning.

Gregor Blanco started in center for the second time this season in Pagan's abscence. Blacno has started 21 games in left field for San Francisco this season and has been adequate, hitting .273/.345/.312. The outfielder has very little power, but is still able to reach base at an acceptable level. Blacno is also a plus-defender and plus-baserunner.