Giants OF Pence likely out 8 weeks with hamstring surgery

ST. LOUIS (AP) San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence will undergo surgery for a right hamstring injury and is likely to be out eight weeks.

Pence said he felt the hamstring pop running to first base trying to beat out an infield grounder on Wednesday. He was helped off the field.

Pence said he was told he had a 50-50 chance of returning if he skipped surgery and just did rehabilitation work. But if he did that and re-injured himself, the recovery time would be longer.

The 33-year-old Pence was also told the surgery was fairly routine. He said it was a relief to know what was ahead of him.

It's the second right hamstring injury in two weeks for Pence. He topped the team with 36 RBIs and was second with seven home runs for the NL West-leading Giants going into Friday night's game at St. Louis.