OAKLAND -- First baseman Brandon Belt's paternity leave could be brief.
"From what I've been hearing, he'll be here [Saturday] playing," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said before Friday night's Interleague series opener against the A's.
As of Friday afternoon, Bochy said that Belt's wife, Haylee, had not yet given birth to the couple's second child.
Belt's absence left the Giants without their top run producer. Belt is batting .287 in 81 games with team-high totals in home runs (13) and RBIs (42).
Pablo Sandoval replaced Belt at first base, batting sixth. Ryder Jones, recalled from Triple-A Sacramento to replace Belt on the roster, started at third base and batted seventh. Jones, who hit .173 with two homers and five RBIs in 53 games for San Francisco last year, hit .299 with nine homers and 48 RBIs in his first 81 games at Triple-A Sacramento.

Samardzija receives PRP injection
Jeff Samardzija's third stint on the disabled list this season might also be his shortest.
The right-hander's shoulder inflammation won't require surgery, and Bochy did not rule out Samardzija starting in Seattle on Wednesday.
"He did have an MRI on Monday, then he had a PRP [platelet-rich plasma] shot," Bochy said. "So we'll see where he's at Sunday, whether he can take his bullpen or not."
The Giants will likely wait until Sunday to determine Samardzija's next step.
"I think I could have started on time after the break," Samardzija said. "It wouldn't have been perfect, but it would have been doable. I think we're being smart about it. Luckily, this team has put me in the situation to have the ability to come back and wait until I'm a hundred percent, with how good the young kids are pitching."
Samardzija made two starts since he was activated on July 7. He pitched a total of nine innings and allowed five earned runs, striking out four and walking three.
Longoria begins rehab stint
Evan Longoria embarked on a rehab stint in Triple-A Sacramento, Friday. The third-baseman has been sidelined since June 14 with a fractured left hand.
"Evan is going to play five innings tonight, he'll play seven tomorrow, then we'll see how he feels," Bochy said. "But more than likely, he'll play Sunday. They're off Monday, we're off Monday, then we will evaluate him at that point. I can't say he'll be up with us, but we'll see where he's at."
Panik nearing return
Joe Panik, who was placed on the disabled list July 7 with a left groin strain, has begun participating in baseball activities.
"Panik will be taking batting practice today and ground balls at second base," Bochy said. "He could be starting rehab as soon as the middle of next week or the back end of the week."