Giants’ Pablo Sandoval day-to-day after being hit with pitch

San Francisco Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval had an early exit in Saturday’s game against the San Diego Padres after being hit by a pitch from Odrisamer Despaigne. The hit caused a left elbow contusion and is causing some obvious pain.

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Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced that Sandoval is currently being considered day-to-day and will not be playing the series finale on Sunday.

“My guess is he’s going to be pretty sore,” Bochy said.

And sore is exactly what Sandoval is. It was actually the only word he used to describe how he felt when exiting the game.

The incident occurred when Sandoval attempted to swing at a 0-1 slider that decided to veer towards him and hit him on the left forearm close to his elbow. Head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner examined Sandoval, along with Bochy, immediate following the injury. Despite Sandoval remaining in the game for one more pitch, he exited the game after Brandon Belt was caught stealing, ending the inning.

Joaquin Arias stepped in for Sandoval at the start of the second inning.

Sandoval underwent an x-ray Saturday evening which came back negative. A good sign, however there is still no word on when he’ll return.

This is Sandoval’s first injury of the 2014 season. He has been playing OK lately, however is currently in a slump, picking up only eight hits in his last 42 at bats.

Pablo isn’t the only one slumping lately. The Giants are in an obvious slump as well, losing the majority of the games throughout the month of June. Thought to be the notorious June curse. the Giants were expected to get things together at the start of July. That hasn’t happened and the Giants are facing the chance of falling further behind the Dodgers in a race for the NL West.