The rotation, as expected, has been the strength of the roster. Except for Randy Johnson's 3 1/3-inning stint Saturday, the starters have been exceptional. They've had quality starts in seven of eight games and surrendered six earned runs in 54 innings through Sunday for a 1.00 ERA. The rest of the rotation: Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.
PLAYER NEWS: --OF Andres Torres was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring, and 2B/OF Eugenio Velez was recalled from Class AAA Fresno. Velez had been optioned to the minors hours earlier. Usually, a player must stay in the minors 10 days after being optioned, but there's an exception allowed when he is replacing an injured player. Torres was hurt late in Monday's game, so Velez was eligible to return to the Giants.
--3B/C Pablo Sandoval isn't LHP Barry Zito's personal catcher, manager Bruce Bochy said. He only appears to be. Bochy said Sandoval caught Monday because Molina caught 12 innings Sunday. Fine. But the fact is, Sandoval caught Zito's last two games, and he gave up one run in 13 innings. Zito's first two games were caught by Molina, and his ERA was 10.00.
--Sandoval pushed his average above .300 (.301) with a 2-for-5 night Tuesday. He was hitting .195 on April 15. He was back at third base. Another change was made at shortstop, where Juan Uribe got the start in place of Edgar Renteria, who sat out with a strained left quadriceps.
MEDICAL WATCH:
SS Edgar Renteria (strained left quadriceps) sat out the April 28 game.
OF Andres Torres (strained left hamstring) went on the 15-day disabled list April 28.
RHP Joe Martinez (concussion, hairline fractures in skull) went on the 15-day disabled list April 10. He is unlikely to return before late May.
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. In mid-April, manager Bruce Bochy said he hoped Lowry would able to return at some point this season.
RHP Sergio Romo (sprained right elbow) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27. He could return as soon as early May.
ROTATION:
RHP Tim Lincecum
LHP Randy Johnson
RHP Matt Cain
LHP Barry Zito
LHP Jonathan Sanchez
BULLPEN:
RHP Brian Wilson (closer)
RHP Bobby Howry
LHP Jeremy Affeldt
RHP Merkin Valdez
RHP Brandon Medders
RHP Justin Miller
RHP Osiris Matos
CATCHERS:
Bengie Molina
Steve Holm
INFIELDERS:
1B Travis Ishikawa
2B Emmanuel Burriss
SS Edgar Renteria
3B Pablo Sandoval
INF Juan Uribe
INF Rich Aurilia
OUTFIELDERS:
LF Fred Lewis
CF Aaron Rowand
RF Randy Winn
OF Nate Schierholtz
OF/INF Eugenio Velez
