Second baseman Marco Scutaro was designated for assignment by the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday as he recovers from back surgery. The Giants said they plan to retain Scutaro and continue working with him through his rehabilitation following back surgery that could end his career. Dr. Michael Wang performed a fusion last month in Miami to alleviate the troublesome area at level L-2/L-3 of Scutaro's spine. Assistant general manager Bobby Evans said Scutaro is he's ''not yet pain-free, which isn't uncommon after surgery.'' The defending World Series champions owe Scutaro $6 million for 2015, the final season of a $20 million, three-year contract signed in December 2012.