The San Francisco Giants planned to activate closer Armando Benitez, who has been on the disabled list with left knee bursitis, on Thursday. The club also announced that Lance Niekro would be reactivated after three days on the bereavement list. To make room on the roster, the Giants optioned infielder Travis Ishikawa to Double-A Connecticut and left-hander Jack Taschner to Triple-A Fresno.