Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval could return to the lineup as soon as the end of the next homestand. As always, manager Bruce Bochy couched his timetable with the words "if all goes well." Asked if the organization has a soft date for Sandoval to begin a minor-league rehab assignment, Bochy said it could be as soon as next weekend. Sandoval is expected to take batting practice on the field for the first time in St. Louis this week.