S.F. is still trying to get it together

TEMPE, Ariz. – The Giants got one step closer to reuniting their Opening Day lineup, then took two steps back.

Marco Scutaro (back tightness) returned to his familiar No. 2 spot in a 5-4 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday, but Brandon Belt was a late scratch because of neck pain, and Pablo Sandoval spent more time with a doctor than on a field.

Sandoval, who has ulnar neuritis in his right elbow, had an X-ray and a CT scan Sunday. Trainer Dave Groeschner said there were "no new unexpected findings" and that Sandoval would undergo several more days of treatment before being re-evaluated.

Sandoval was limited to light conditioning a day after manager Bruce Bochy said the third baseman's status for the season opener would start to become an issue if he didn't make progress by the end of the weekend.

Sandoval wasn't the only regular held out of the lineup. Belt became the latest to succumb to a minor injury after he woke up in the middle of the night with a feeling in his neck that "didn't really feel like your normal crick."

Belt tried to play catch in the morning but left the field a few minutes into the team workout and headed for the trainer's room. He said he feels a pull in a muscle on the lower left side of his neck when he turns his head but doesn't anticipate it becoming a lingering problem.

"Hopefully, I'll be able to play (today)," Belt said.

In addition to Scutaro, who was hitless in three at-bats but said he felt no back pain, the Giants received good news from their backup catcher. Hector Sanchez's shoulder is pain-free when he throws and hits from both sides, and he said he is only a day or two away from making his first start since March 12.

The Giants brought back their entire starting lineup from the 2012 championship squad, but through 29 Cactus League games, Bochy has penciled in his projected Opening Day lineup just once.

The good news is that, thus far, the injuries have been relatively minor compared to the hits absorbed by National League West rivals.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (Hanley Ramirez), San Diego Padres (Chase Headley) and Arizona Diamondbacks (Adam Eaton) have significant pieces starting the season on the disabled list.

The Giants and Sandoval will know soon if they are to join the unfortunate club.

Notes – Barry Zito carefully picked his way through the Angels' dangerous lineup, giving up one run over five innings despite allowing six hits and walking three.

Zito was at his bend-but-don't-break best, particularly in the fifth inning. Facing Albert Pujols with two runners on and two outs, Zito gave the former National League MVP nothing to swing at and walked him to load the bases for former American League MVP Josh Hamilton. Hamilton swung through a cutter and two wicked curveballs to end the inning.

Zito stranded runners in four of his five innings. He also kept Mike Trout off balance, getting the superstar leadoff man to fly out feebly to center three times.

A year after nearly losing his rotation spot late in camp, Zito had a 3.00 ERA in the Cactus League and struck out 17 batters in 18 innings.

• Right fielder Hunter Pence reached base four times and scored the winning run in the top of the ninth. Pence drew a one-out walk, stole second and scored on Buster Posey's single to center.

Left-hander Jose Mijares' arm strength looked fine in his return from an elbow impingement, but he gave up three runs in one-third of an inning.

• Left-hander Dan Runzler was optioned to Triple-A Fresno after back-to-back wild outings.

• Read more articles by Alex Pavlovic

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