SAN FRANCISCO — Hunter Pence sprained his right thumb while making a diving play in Tuesday’s 6-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners. However, Bruce Bochy said Pence’s injury isn’t a major concern and he’s available to play if need be.
“When he dove for that ball yesterday, he sprained his right thumb,” Bochy said. “So, he was scratched from the lineup. We expect him to be fine with the day off tomorrow and be set to go the next game.”
On the year, Pence is 4-for-18 with a double and four strikeouts. This will be his first missed start of the season.
In his absence, Gregor Blanco will move over to left field and Gorkys Hernandez will start in center field.
Blanco will start in place of Austin Jackson to face the right-handed arm of Felix Hernandez, as he did against Kenta Maeda on March 31. In two games played this season, Blanco is 3-for-4 with a double and one walk.
As for Hernandez, this will be his first start of the season after getting two hitless at-bats against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Another notable difference in the lineup is Pablo Sandoval starting at third base instead of Evan Longoria, who’s first hit of the season came off a two-run home run on Tuesday.
Similar to Hernandez, this will be Sandoval’s first start of the season after going 1-for-2 against the Dodgers.
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