Injury Sidelines Giles

Pittsburgh Pirate outfielder Brian Giles sat out the Pirates’ season opener against the New York Mets after straining a muscle in his right side during batting practice.

“I was taking a swing and felt something grab on the side,” Giles said. “I came out and had [the trainer] rub it out, but it never loosened up.”

Giles was replaced in left field by Armando Rios, who went one for two in Pittsburgh’s 6-2 loss. Giles, sidelined four games in 1999 with a similar injury, is day-to-day.

“I think I caught it in time so it’s not a three- to four-week thing,” he said.

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San Diego Padre third baseman Sean Burroughs was a late scratch from the lineup against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Manager Bruce Bochy said Burroughs’ jammed right thumb was improved enough that he would have played, but he came down with flu.

The Padres also played without outfielder Ryan Klesko and right-hander Bobby Jones because they were suspended for their involvement in a brawl against the Angels in spring training.

Left fielder Moises Alou, who strained his right calf during an exhibition game last weekend, was scratched from the Chicago Cub lineup against Cincinnati. Alou might be ready to play Wednesday.