PHOENIX -- Just when he finally started to get his bat going, Evan Longoria has to take a seat. The third baseman tweaked his left ankle while standing in and tracking pitches during a Derek Holland bullpen session on Tuesday. Longoria was a late scratch from the lineup. Bruce Bochy said he might be down a couple of days.
Longoria dealt with this problem in spring training and missed about a week, although at the time he said it wouldn't be nearly as big a deal during the regular season. He has seven hits in his last 18 at-bats, with three doubles and a homer.
"He was looking comfortable at the plate and seeing the ball much better and getting good swings off, so the timing is not great," Bochy said.
Longoria had started 14 of the first 15 games. Pablo Sandoval took his place at third base in Tuesday's lineup.
--- Jeff Samardzija is in Arizona and threw a bullpen session, but the Giants have not yet named him Saturday's starter. Bochy said he would have news after the game. If Samardzija does not pitch Saturday, the Giants will need some creative accounting. Andrew Suarez is not eligible to return until Sunday, unless the Giants put someone on the disabled list and Suarez takes that player's spot.
--- If ever there were a time for Hunter Pence to get going, this is the night. Pence is 15-for-35 against Pat Corbin with nine extra-base hits.
