"Carlos Beltran's health status remained uncertain Saturday, and Andres Torres paid the price for it.

Although Torres probably needed just a few days to get healthy after fouling a ball off his right calf Friday night, the Giants couldn't afford to play short-handed in the outfield. So instead of making a decision on Beltran, they placed Torres on the 15-day disabled list. Brandon Belt, who probably has earned elite status on several airlines by now, was recalled from Triple-A Fresno.

Torres did not take the news well. He was not at Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, instead requesting a few days off to visit his home in Puerto Rico. He isn't eligible to return to the active roster until Aug. 28.

The Giants are stuck in a waiting game with Beltran, who took swings off a tee but remained unavailable because of his strained right hand. The Giants are desperate to avoid the disabled list with Beltran, which would take him out for the remaining eight games of their 10-game trip.

They might have delayed a decision on Torres if he were producing at the plate. But the leadoff man is hitting .179 with one run scored in his past 13 games, dropping his season average to .228."