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SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco Giants outfielder Andres Torres was placed on the 15-day disabled list Thursday because of a strained left Achilles tendon and might not return this season. Torres said the injury has lingered since the start of 2011 after he helped the Giants win a World Series championship the previous fall. He is scheduled to get a second opinion and be examined by specialist Dr. Robert Anderson next week in North Carolina and hopes to avoid surgery -- though an MRI exam showed bone spurs in the area. "I need to be 100 per cent," Torres said. "After we won the World Series and they gave us the rings (April 9, 2011), I hurt this foot and Ive never been the same. Playing like this is not going to be good for me and its not going to be good for the organization. I respect them a lot. This is something I have to work to get better." Rehabilitation hasnt worked for the speedy Torres, who said the left foot bothers him most when hitting from the left side and is limiting him to running at about 80 per cent. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Torres called about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to tell him he couldnt play in the opener of a four-game series against the NL Central-leading Pittsburgh Pirates. "Its bothering him to the point he needs a break," Bochy said. "I cant say its over yet until he gets evaluated. I think that will determine what ends up happening with Andres. Is there a possibility of surgery? Sure. Thats why hes getting checked out." Bochy said he only learned of Torres condition a few days ago but the outfielder hadnt spoken of it, saying "its one of those injuries thats flared up again on him." The 35-year-old Torres, who signed a $2 million, one-year contract last winter to return to the Giants after spending 2012 with the New York Mets, is batting .250 with two home runs and 21 RBIS with just four stolen bases in 103 games this season. He said when hitting from the left side his injured front foot lifts and he loses his power and strength. "I want to make sure this is right and I can drive the ball from both sides," he said. Bochy didnt rule out Torres season ending, especially with the reigning World Series champions out of the playoff race and planning to try out many young players over the final month. Bochy said Torres role, if he is able to play again this year, would be primarily as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner or late defensive replacement. "Theres no rush to get Andres back," Bochy said. "We want him to get healthy. Hes got his future to think of." In other moves, lefty Mike Kickham was optioned to Triple-A Fresno, and infielder Nick Noonan and outfielder Francisco Peguero were recalled from Fresno to provide some depth. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval returned to the lineup after missing the final two games against Boston with a sore back. . You can watch all the action on TSN2 beginning at 7pm et/4pm pt. Pineda won his second straight start last Wednesday against Chicago, as he held the Cubs to just four hits over six scoreless innings to run his record to 2-0, while lowering his ERA to 1. .com) - SirDominic Pointer posted career highs of 24 points and seven steals to lead No. http://www.hockeyavalancheteamshop.com/ ... as-Jersey/. Mickelson shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 77 -- his worst score of the season -- on TPC San Antonios AT&T Oaks Course. Lefty was 11 strokes behind leader Steven Bowditch, the Australian who had a 67 to reach 8-under 136. . A police inspector told The Associated Press the crane operator is not yet suspected of any wrongdoing but is considered a key witness to the accident at the Arena Corinthians. . 11 Ana Ivanovic and American Sloane Stephens, and former world No.Switzerlands Dario Cologna had the strongest finish to win the mens 30-kilometer skiathlon at the Sochi Olympics on Sunday, showing hes back to full fitness after a season disrupted by an ankle injury. Cologna finished in 1 hour, 8 minutes, 15.4 seconds for his second Olympic gold medal. Marcus Hellner was 0.4 seconds behind to win silver, with Martin Johnsrud Sundby of Norway taking bronze.Canadians Alex Harvey, Ivan Babikov and Graeeme Killick finished 18th, 25th and 45th, respectively.dddddddddddd. Cologna pulled away from a quartet of skiers at the top of the final uphill section and then held off defending champion Hellner of Sweden on the final straight. Cologna is a three-time overall World Cup winner. He needed surgery to repair an ankle ligament in November and only returned to competition last month. With files from CBC Sports ' ' '