--LHP Pat Misch, who has pitched out of the Giants bullpen in parts of the past three seasons, was optioned to Class AAA Fresno. He allowed eight runs (seven earned) in three innings this spring.
--RHP Ramon Ortiz, 35, the former Angels starter who was bidding for a job as a long reliever, was reassigned to the Giants' minor league camp. He allowed 11 runs (10 earned) in 4 2/3 innings this spring. --RHP Tim Lincecum hasn't had a letdown from his Cy Young Award season. He retired 20 of his first 22 batters over seven Cactus League innings, yielding one hit and issuing one walk. Facing the Angels on March 6, he pitched three innings and faced the minimum number of batters -- one walk, one double play.
--LHP Jonathan Sanchez's departure to the World Baseball Classic (Puerto Rico) and LHP Noah Lowry's ongoing injury bug (elbow, shoulder) enable the Giants to look at prospects in starting roles. LHP Kevin Pucetas (named the California League's top pitcher) and RHP Joseph Martinez could get looks, though each will open the season in the minors.
--RHP Sergio Romo, who posted a 2.12 ERA in 29 outings as a rookie, will be shelved for at least 10 days with a sprained right elbow. His only spring training appearance came against the Dodgers, and he surrendered six runs (three earned) and five hits. Manager Bruce Bochy said it's still possible Romo could be ready for Opening Day.
--OF Nate Schierholtz had an MRI and was diagnosed with a bulging disk in his lower back. Manager Bruce Bochy said March 6 that Schierholtz would miss five to seven days.
--LHP Randy Johnson, in his second start in training camp, struck out seven of the 12 batters he faced. It came against his former team, the Diamondbacks, a team he believed low-balled him in negotiations. Arizona offered far less than the $6 million he sought, and he wound up signing with the Giants for $8 million.
--Manager Bruce Bochy missed a day of spring training to fly to San Francisco for shoulder surgery, which was needed after years of wear and tear by the former catcher. Bochy enjoys pitching batting practice and hitting fungoes, but he may not be able to throw again until June.
BY THE NUMBERS: 16 -- Players making their debuts in 2008, a franchise record. The previous high was 14 by the 1926 New York Giants. The two most anticipated debuts this year would be by C Buster Posey and LHP Madison Bumgarner, the Giants' top picks, respectively, in the 2008 and 2007 drafts.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I always want to get better. I come into this year, I'm not just sitting on my (rear) hoping everything's going to be all right because of last year. I've got to come out here and work and become better. That's what it takes to be a good major league baseball player." -- RHP Tim Lincecum, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner.
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