The Giants are confident heading into the season. Injuries haven't been a major factor, especially with pitchers (except LHP Noah Lowry, who hasn't appeared in a game since 2007), and management is confident new corner infielders Travis Ishikawa and Pablo Sandoval will shine in their first full big-league seasons. The offense is iffy -- GM Brian Sabean's only new bat is SS Edgar Renteria -- but the pitching seems deeper with the additions of starter Randy Johnson and relievers Jeremy Affeldt and Bobby Howry.
PLAYER NOTES: --RHP Tim Lincecum was the obvious choice to start the opener after he won the Cy Young Award in 2008. He was 18-5 with a 2.62 ERA and led the majors with 265 strikeouts. Perhaps the most impressive stat: Lincecum was the fourth pitcher in history to finish at least 13 games above .500 on a team that finished at least 13 games under.
--LHP Randy Johnson will pitch a regular-season game for a team from the Bay Area for the first time since he was a senior at nearby Livermore High School in 1982. The Big Unit joined the Giants after signing a one-year, $8 million contract. Last year with the Diamondbacks, he was 11-10 with a 3.91 ERA. He pitched at the Giants' park on Friday, but that was against the A's in a spring training game.
--1B Travis Ishikawa, 2B Emmanuel Burriss, SS Edgar Renteria and 3B Pablo Sandoval compose an entirely different infield than the one that opened last season. Ishikawa, Burriss and Sandoval come from the Giants' farm system, and none has played a full season in the majors. Renteria arrived with a two-year, $18.5 million contract.
--3B Pablo Sandoval led the Giants in spring training batting average among players with at least 15 at-bats. 1B Travis Ishikawa had the most homers (seven), Sandoval the most RBIs (18), 2B Emmanuel Burris the most steals (six) and OF Andres Torres the most runs (23).
ROTATION:
1. RHP Tim Lincecum
2. LHP Randy Johnson
3. RHP Matt Cain
4. LHP Barry Zito
5. LHP Jonathan Sanchez
BULLPEN:
RHP Brian Wilson (closer)
RHP Bobby Howry
LHP Jeremy Affeldt
LHP Alex Hinshaw
RHP Merkin Valdez
RHP Brandon Medders
RHP Joe Martinez
LINEUP:
1. RF Randy Winn
2. SS Edgar Renteria
3. LF Fred Lewis
4. C Bengie Molina
5. 3B Pablo Sandoval
6. CF Aaron Rowand
7. 1B Travis Ishikawa
8. 2B Emmanuel Burriss
RESERVES:
INF Juan Uribe
INF/OF Eugenio Velez
OF Andres Torres
OF Nate Schierholtz
INF Rich Aurilia
MEDICAL WATCH:
LHP Noah Lowry (left forearm surgery in March 2008, left elbow surgery in September 2008) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He hadn't resumed throwing as of opening day.
RHP Sergio Romo (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He isn't expected to return in April.
OF Nate Schierholtz (lower back) will be monitored early in the season. He missed time in spring training and continues to need treatment.
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