Pablo Sandoval could begin a minor-league assignment at Class A San Jose by this weekend under an unusual dual-track rehabilitation process that could get him back in a San Francisco uniform even before he is ready to bat right-handed, manager Bruce Bochy said.

Sandoval had surgery to remove the fractured hamate bone in his left hand. Since the knob of the bat pushes on that area when he bats right-handed, he is much farther along in his left-handed hitting.

After first broaching the idea several days ago, Bochy now sounds firmer that Sandoval could return to the Giants even before he is ready to bat right-handed.

“That would help speed things up bringing him back,” Bochy said.

The idea has Sandoval starting his rehab assignment this weekend while batting lefty only in the minors, and continuing to work on his right-handed swing on a more conservative pace. A rehab assignment might last four or five games. If all went well, it sounds as though Sandoval could rejoin the Giants’ lineup a week from tonight in the June 8 series opener at home against Texas.

Again, he would bat left-handed only, so he would start against righty pitchers. If a left-handed reliever came in, Sandoval could either bat left-vs.-left, which did not work too well when he had a bad left shoulder last year and could not bat right-handed, or sit for a pinch-hitter. Bochy suggested the decision to pursue this course depends on how much the team really needs his bat at the time.

Bochy said team doctors have signed off on the idea because they do not believe that hitting left-handed in games would do anything to jeopardize the healing from his surgery.

Sandoval underwent surgery to remove the hamate May 3. If he returns around June 8 he will have missed five weeks. As Bochy noted above, the team knows from last year how long it might take Sandoval to be ready to hit with the other hand. Last year he was out almost seven weeks after the right hamate was removed.

In other news from today’s daily briefing with Bochy, Sergio Romo (subluxed kneecap) threw a bullpen session, covered first base and proved during drills today that he is ready to return to the mound. He is available tonight.

Also, Brad Penny might begin a minor-league assignment as soon as Saturday. The Giants signed Penny to be a reliever. He has been throwing to hitters at the extended-spring camp in Arizona.