PHOENIX — For a change, the San Francisco Giants received some comforting news on the injury front Wednesday.
An MRI given to first baseman Brandon Belt on Wednesday showed a mild right groin strain, manager Bruce Bochy said, and the Giants an optimistic that Belt could miss only a few days. He was held out of the lineup Wednesday when Buster Posey took a turn at first base but was available to pinch-hit, Bochy said.
Meanwhile, right-hander Jake Peavy showed no immediate signs of back discomfort after a 45-pitch throwing session in the Giants’ bullpen at Chase Field on Wednesday afternoon and seems likely to make his first scheduled start of the season Sunday in San Diego.
“I think he could be good to go on Sunday,” Bochy said. “We’ll reevaluate him tomorrow when we get to San Diego and see where he is at, but he feels a lot better.
“He feels good about where he is at.”
Peavy shagged balls during practice and was to take more treatment on his sore back before the game. Peavy, who joined the Giants for the 2014 stretch drive, signed a two-year deal in the offseason. He gave up 13 runs, 11 earned, in his last two spring training outings covering 6 2/3 innings.
Belt was removed in the fourth inning of the Giants’ 7-6 loss to Arizona on Tuesday when he pulled up while chasing a foul pop behind first base. Belt hit about 25 balls off a tee in pregame work, Bochy said.
“I think we got it at the right time,” Bochy said. “I think the best thing we could have done is what we did last night, pull him out. We’re going to give him a couple of days and see how he does. He feels pretty good, though. He’ll go on a day-to-day deal. If he is not making any progress, then we will make a call.”
Posey started at first base Wednesday, the Giants top option after Travis Ishikawa opened the season on the disabled list with a low back strain. Joaquin Arias entered for Belt on Tuesday and is an option.
“Ideally you’d like to have all the boys healthy, but you can’t be concerned with what you don’t have or things we can’t control,” Bochy said. “We’ll keep marching.”