Giants to place Hunter Pence on disabled list with strained oblique

The San Francisco Giants plan to place right fielder Hunter Pence on the 15-day disabled list Thursday with a strained left oblique, a move timed with activating outfielder Nori Aoki, who has been on the DL for a week with a concussion.

Manager Bruce Bochy said the team believes Pence will be back by the end of the 15 days. Pence was injured flying out in the ninth inning on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Aoki will get regular playing time in left field and right field. Bochy said he preferred Aoki in right and Brandon Belt in left field on days when catcher Buster Posey plays first base.

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New York Mets third baseman David Wright is expected to be activated from the disabled list next week after missing four months with a back injury. Wright has been sidelined since April 14 with spinal stenosis. ... New York Yankees Manager Joe Girardi said that right-hander Michael Pineda will make another rehabilitation start on Friday. Pineda has been on the disabled list with a flexor strain in his right forearm. ... The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Billy Hamilton on the 15-day disabled list with a sprained capsule in his right shoulder.