Gregor

Blanco

Pence was originally in the lineup playing left and batting seventh, but now that will be Gregor Blanco. No reason has been given yet as to why Pence was scratched, and we’ll update you with why the outfielder gets the day off when that information becomes available.

It’s the first start of the season in left for Belt. Pablo Sandoval will start at first for the Giants, with Gregor Blanco getting the night off. Belt is off to an excellent start to his 2018 season, registering a .297/.419/.532 line along with six homers and 17 RBI in 32 games.

He will work under former pitcher Chris Young, who has been promoted to senior vice president. Blanco spent the entire 2019 season with the Triple-A affiliate of the Mets in Syracuse, where he posted a .246/.339/.406 batting line over 426 plate appearances. Assuming his playing days are indeed over, the 36-year-old outfielder finishes with 746 hits and 122 stolen bases in 1,060 career major league games.

The two veterans were in camp as non-roster invitees and weren’t able to enough to crack the Opening Day roster.

Blanco, who turns 35 next week, spent half of 2018 in the minors and hit just .217/.262/.317 during his time with the Giants. He’s merely organizational depth.

Blanco, formerly of the Braves and Royals, is batting .444 (16-for-36) with two doubles, three RBI and a 7/5 K/BB ratio so far this spring. The 28-year-old outfielder also leads the majors with seven stolen bases. Giants’ manager Bruce Bochy has called him the best player in camp, so we know which way he’s leaning.

No surprise here, as Blanco batted .338 with one homer, five RBI, 13 stolen bases and a 17/8 K/BB ratio over 77 at-bats this spring. He’ll function as a reserve outfielder.

In other words, Pagan, who’s hitting .130/.200/.217 through his first 25 Giants’ plate appearances, could face frequent benchings until he gets going. “I know he’s working hard to try to get going,” Bochy said. “It’s early, but until he gets it going we could tweak the lineup a little bit until he gets his swing. We’ve got (Gregor) Blanco to help out, Nate (Schierholtz) too. We’re going to go with matchups and use these guys too.” It’s not a good time to be relying on Pagan in deeper mixed leagues.

It’s just a routine day off for Belt, who started the Giants’ first three games in Arizona. Aubrey Huff is playing first base against the Rockies with Melky Cabrera handling left field. Gregor Blanco gets the nod in right.

Huff has been limited to one pinch-hit appearance since being activated from the disabled list Monday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy would prefer to see more of him off the bench before working him back into the lineup. Look for Gregor Blanco, Melky Cabrera and Nate Schierholtz to start in the outfield Wednesday against Chad Billingsley.