Hunter Pence takes first live batting practice since breaking arm

San Francisco Giants right fielder Hunter Pence took his first live batting practice since fracturing his forearm in MLB Spring Training.

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For Giants fans, the moment couldn’t have come too soon. Right-fielder Hunter Pence finally took live BP on Friday, the first time he’s done so since fracturing his forearm in Spring Training. The BP session was actually scheduled for Saturday, according to SF Gate, but Pence felt good enough to give it a go on Friday. According to Giants manager Bruce Bochy, Pence “snuck in there.” Somehow convincing the trainers to let him hit a day early.

He went in and took about 25 swings off a tee, about another 25 off a soft tosser and then 15 swings off bullpen catcher Eli Whiteside. Bochy is now saying that he thinks Pence should be back by the end of May.

That’s a big difference from the previous estimate of the beginning of May. Of course, a lot of that was attributed to Pence, who was wildly optimistic about how quickly he could return from a fractured forearm, of all things. Pence’s attitude hasn’t changed all that much though. He was asked on Friday if the BP was a big day for him and he replied that every day is the biggest day of his life.

Pence will be evaluated again on Monday after he takes some more swings over the weekend. Once he checks out, he will eventually be given a minor league rehab assignment, the next big step in returning to the field for the Giants. Bochy indicated that he would be “shocked” if Pence isn’t back with the team in the month of May. He said Pence needs to get in some games to get his timing back and other variables. For Pence’s part, he wasn’t eager to discuss how his BP went, saying it was up to the trainers to update everyone, but he was doing everything he could.

So far, outfielder Justin Maxwell has been filling in admirably for Pence in right field. He’s largely taken over for Gregor Blanco at that spot, unless an extra left-handed bat is needed in the lineup. Maxwell has gotten his average up to .241 and has hit three home runs and knocked in nine RBI besides. He’s also made some spectacular diving catches to save runs, like the one below.

Meanwhile, the Giants have largely been scrapping, sitting at the bottom of the NL West, currently accompanied by the Diamondbacks. Their record is 10-13 as they have alternately struggled with both pitching and offense at times.

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