Giants placed 2B Marco Scutaro on the 15-day disabled list with a back injury. It was a close call as to whether Scutaro would be ready for Opening Day, but the second baseman's balky back forced him to miss too much time earlier in spring. Scutaro is swinging a bat and fielding grounders, but it's unclear how long it will take him to get back into game shape at this point.

Marco Scutaro (back) will take some swings and field some grounders prior to Friday's game. Scutaro underwent a diagnostic nerve block procedure Tuesday, but it didn't work so he was given a cortisone shot in hopes that it will clear things up. He's stopped and started a few times this spring, so there's no telling at this point how long he'll be out.

Marco Scutaro (back) expects to begin the season on the disabled list. Scutaro underwent a diagnostic nerve block procedure Tuesday, but it didn't work, so he was given a cortisone shot. It's tough to nail down a timeline for his return until he tests how his back responds to the treatment. Joaquin Arias will likely fill in at second base for now.

Marco Scutaro underwent a diagnostic nerve block procedure Tuesday. The Giants won't divulge details about the surgery until Wednesday, but the hope is that it will help determine the source of Scutaro's back trouble. He'll obviously begin the season on the disabled list, but a clearer timetable for the second baseman's return should be revealed on Wednesday.

Marco Scutaro (back) made another visit to the doctor on Tuesday. It's a bad sign, as Scutaro was just starting to ramp up his baseball activities again. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that no surgery for Scutaro has been discussed at this time, but it's not clear how long the second baseman will be sidelined. More information about his status is expected to be available later Tuesday.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy conceded Monday that the odds of Marco Scutaro (back) being ready for Opening Day are "way down." Scutaro performed baseball activities for the second consecutive day on Monday, but he's not going to play in any more Cactus League games before camp breaks. The veteran second baseman will likely stay behind in extended spring training, working on getting his back into playable shape. The Giants could backdate a DL move, but the odds of Scutaro being ready in early April doesn't seem to be particularly high.

Marco Scutaro (back) performed baseball activities for the second consecutive day on Monday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy noted to reporters that Scutaro "looked pretty good" while facing live pitching on a back field, but the veteran second baseman is still questionable for the start of the 2014 regular season. The Giants can back-date a 15-day disabled list stint so that he's eligible for activation in early April.

Marco Scutaro received an epidermal injection in his ailing back on Thursday. Scutaro said it was the second shot he's been administered after the first one didn't work. Giants manager Bruce Bochy retains hope that Scutaro can play by the weekend. Bochy said it's 50-50 odds right now that Scutaro will start the year on the DL and he'd like to make a decision soon to protect the player's retroactive DL days.

Marco Scutaro made his Cactus League debut on Monday, going 1-for-2 against the Angels. Scutaro was taken out before the bottom of the third, giving him two innings in the field. He has been dealing with back problems, which kept him out of spring action for several weeks. Scutaro doubled and scored a run in his first at-bat, and struck out in his second at-bat.

Marco Scutaro (back) is back in the Giants' lineup Monday. "This is the time to get ready," Scutaro said. "And you get ready playing games." Things had been looking bleak for Scutaro's chances at being ready for Opening Day, but he's finally making some progress with his ailing back. Of course, he's had setbacks along the way and another one can occur at any time.