Longoria unsure of return date from foot injury

DENVER -- Evan Longoria, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday with a strained plantar fascia in his left foot, said before Tuesday's game against the Rockies at Coors Field that he may be out two to four weeks, though he couldn't be precise with his estimate.

"I've never had anything like this, so I don't know the answer to that because it's not something I've experienced," Longoria said. "I haven't seen our hand and foot specialist yet, and he's looked at the MRI and scans but he hasn't put his hands on it. So once we get back home, he can kind of give his own diagnosis to me and see where we are then, and have a little better idea. Hopefully not too long."

Wearing a walking boot on his left foot, Longoria said there is no need for a surgical procedure of any kind, just rest and treatment. He's been dealing with plantar fasciitis for about a year and a half, but this latest injury came on shortly after the All-Star break.

The 33-year-old third baseman was on a hot streak before the injury began flaring up, hitting .385 (10-for-26) with six home runs over the seven-game stretch from July 1-12. His parents traveled to Denver for the current series in the hopes of seeing their son play.

"They're a little disappointed, obviously," Longoria said. "It's unfortunate. I'm sad. Especially because I felt like I was picking it up, and I felt really good personally. I'm going to do everything I can to try and, not hurry back, but get as close to full health as I can and be ready to contribute."

In Longoria's absence, Pablo Sandoval has been getting most of the playing time at third base, with Donovan Solano having played there as a late-inning replacement for Sandoval on Monday. Manager Bruce Bochy also noted that, while he doesn't have much experience, Austin Slater could be used as a utility infielder.

"Don't forget, Pablo has second-base experience," Bochy joked, referring to two games last year in which Sandoval appeared at that position.

Cueto to pitch in live games soon

Right-hander Johnny Cueto, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery last August, will be pitching in rehab games during the first week of August in the Rookie-level Arizona League. He will be throwing live batting practice to hitters prior to that if he hasn't begun already.

Cueto, 33, was San Francisco's No. 2 starter behind Madison Bumgarner until he needed surgery last summer. In three seasons with the Giants, he has a 3.45 ERA over 66 starts. A Cueto return down the stretch could be a boon for a suddenly contending Giants club, particularly since it may be without Bumgarner following the July 31 Trade Deadline.

Suarez called up, Rodriguez optioned to Triple-A

The Giants called up left-hander Andrew Suárez from Triple-A Sacramento prior to Tuesday's game at Coors Field and sent Monday's Game 2 starter, Dereck Rodríguez, down to Sacramento.

Bochy said Suarez would be used as the club's long reliever for the remainder of the series in Denver. Rodriguez wouldn't have been able to pitch in a game again on full rest for another five days after tossing five strong innings in San Francisco's 2-1 victory in the second game of Monday's doubleheader.