In the ninth inning of the Giant’s 7-1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, San Francisco rookie relief pitcher Joseph Martinez was struck in the head by a line drive off of the bat of Milwaukee center fielder Mike Cameron.  Martinez got to his feet before collapsing as Giant trainers and medical personnel came to his aid.  He walked off the field under his own strength and was taken to a hospital for a CT scan.  Test results are pending.   He might have to do some time on the 15 day DL with this one. 

With the recent death of actress Natasha Richardson from head trauma following extended moments of apparent lucidity, the team can’t be too careful with this incident.  Let’s hope they err on the side of caution. 

The San Francisco Giants, led by a strong outing by starter Matt Cain, took the rubber match of their opening series with the Milwaukee Brewers, 7-1.  

Cain went seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out five and only walking two.  He was backed by a 3-3 performance by Fred Lewis and four RBI from catcher Benjie Molina.  Aaron Rowand continued his torid start with a pair of hits.   The only down note on the day was rookie reliever Joseph Martinez being struck in the head with a line drive off the bat of Brewer centerfielder Mike Cameron. 

In the first game, the Giants survived a shaky start by Tim Lincecum by putting up a ten spot, highlighted by three home runs by Molina, Rowand, and Randy Winn and an energizing, bases clearing triple by rookie Travis Ishikawa.  Despite Lincecum, the defending Cy Young winner, only lasting three innings, the Giants prevailed 10-6. 

In game two, newcomer Randy Johnson dominated, but fell victim to two untimely homeruns, the second a three run variety off the bat of Brewer counterpart Yovani Gallardo, that gave Milwaukee a lead that they never relinqueshed in beating the Orange and Black, 4-2.  Johnson looked great in five innings, only giving up four hits while striking out seven.  However, Gallardo looked better, pitching into the seventh inning, allowing only two runs. 

Thoughts from the series:  The only thing that brings any concern to me is Lincecum getting hit around a little.  However, he admitted that he didn’t have great stuff.  He should be back to throwing laser guided BB’s on his next go around the rotation.  No cause for concern there yet.  It was nice to see the offense show up as they did in games one and three.  As yet, the kids are doing great.  They seem to be answering their critics rather loudly.  Very nice.  Keep it up.  Also, it was nice to see Rowand hitting well.  He started like this last season and tailed off.  Here’s to him doing this for a complete season. 

Overall, this was a great series to kick off 2009 for the Giants.  They will next host the San Diego Padres on Friday night, with Barry Zito starting against Shawn Hill.  First pitch at 9:05, central. 

The San Francisco Giants made their final roster moves, with some surprises, heading in to Tuesday’s opener against the Milwaukee Brewers. 

In trimming back to the final 25, the team decided to go with a 12 man pitching staff, designating Luis Perdomo for assignment while purchasing the contract of Brandon Medders from AAA Fresno.  As Perdomo is a Rule 5 pickup, they will have to offer him back to the St. Louis Cardinals since he’s not remaining on the 25 man roster.  More on that as it develops. 

In other moves, the Giants optioned catcher Steve Holm to Fresno, leaving them with just one full time catcher in Benjie Molina.  Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will moonlight as a backup backstop until later in the season (probably right after the first month, which is laden with off days, and at which time the Giants will have a little better idea of the type of team that they are fielding), when Holm is expected to be recalled.  Relief pitcher Justin Miller was reassigned to minor league camp.  Expect him back some time this season.  Also, the contracts of Juan Uribe and Rich Aurilia were purchased from Fresno.  Both veterans will start the season on the Giants roster.  Finally, pitcher Noah Lowry and reliever Sergio Romo will both open the season on the 15 day disabled list. 

The 2009 San Francisco Giants opening day roster is as follows:

Starting Rotation: Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Randy Johnson, Tim Lincecum, Barry Zito.

Bullpen: Alex Hinshaw, Bob Howry,  Joseph Martinez, Brandon Medders,  Merkin Valdez, Brian Wilson, Jeremy Affeldt,

Starters:

C: Benjie Molina.

1B:  Travis Ishikawa

2B:  Emmanuel Burriss

SS:  Edgar Renteria

3B:  Pablo Sandoval

RF:  Randy Winn

CF:  Aaron Rowand

LF:  Fred Lewis

Bench: Rich Aurilia (IF), Juan Uribe (IF), Eugenio Velez (UT), Nate Schierholtz (OF), Andres Torres (OF)

To call the 2009 bullpen a jungle would be an understatement.  Arrival of new acquisitions along with the unsurety of second year players and the return of some previously injured talent shall create for some interesting situations entering the season.

The offseason’s big moves were the additions of veterans Bob Howry and Jeremy Affeldt.  Howry, a right hander, had an off year in 2008, posting an ERA of 5.35.  However, he also turned in his fourth straight season of 70+ games.  He is a workhorse who shall help to get the ball into the hands of the closer.   The job of primary left handed setup will fall on Jeremy Affeldt, who turned in his second straight 70+ appearance season. 

Of course, their responsibility is to get the lead to All-Star closer Brian Wilson.  It would be hard to overstate how important he is to the bullpen.  Yes, his ERA last year was a bit high (4.62).   However, this doesn’t take into account that he had several appearances in mopup where teams dropped nukes onto his ERA.  One look at his % of success in save situations should suffice as to his abilities.  One concern I did have was that he blew a few late in the year.  His performance in the spring (10 appearances, no runs scored) should (hopefully) put to rest these worries.

Going a little deeper into the roster, we find reliever Luis Perdomo.  He appears to have won a spot on the team due to his spring.  This is fortunate as he can’t be optioned due to his rule 5 status. 

Another one to watch will be second year man Sergio Romo.  He was excellent in ‘08 but has been a bit banged up in this spring training and, as a result, only had one appearance.  He might open the season on the disabled list.  His ability to play is a key this year.

Another key would be the performance of lefty second year player Alex Hinshaw.  Much the same as Romo, he was great in ‘08.  However, spring of this season hasn’t been quite as forgiving.  He needs to get on track in order to make an impact this season.

Coming back is Merkin Valdez.  This is an arm that would be very nice to have healthy over an entire season.  Again, this is a question mark as he’s been in the infirmary so much since he arrived here.  When he’s pitched, he’s been great. 

Other hurlers to see possibly make an impact are: Osiris Matos, Brandon Medders, and Justin Miller. 

Keiichi Yabu is gone, he’s back, he’s gone.  He was good last season (at times) and bad too (at times).  Do the Giants need this kind of a headache?  I’m saying no.

Billy Sadler might have finally played his way out of the Giants immediate future.  He’s always had potential but he’s going to have to prove himself if he wants to stick. 

With discussions of a possible 11 man pitching staff, it’ll be incredibly important for the Giants to have a dependable long reliever for times when the starter can’t get out of the third inning.  The best options for this would be a converted starter.  Either Noah Lowry (when healthy), Joseph Martinez, or Kevin Pucetas would be possible candidates for this position. 

Without a doubt, the most exciting jewel in the crown of the 2009 San Francisco Giants has to be their starting five (but then, being a huge pitching guy, I’ve been saying that since the days of Rueter and Estes).  However, I think that this year, I might be on to something.  Take a look at the rotation and tell me I’m wrong. 

First things first, number one is Mr. Cy Young himself, The Freak, Tim Lincecum.  What can be said?  What needs to be said?  He’s awesome.  If he can be 80% as good (and by saying that, don’t take at all that I feel he’s in decline) as he was last year, he’d be the #1 for any staff in baseball.  He’s young and had an awesome spring training.  Great things can be expected when he gets the ball.

Number two will be Matt Cain.  I feel that he finally has the offense to back up his wonderful pitching.  I’m going to call my shot and say that if the Cy Young stays with the team this season that he’s going to be the guy to get it.  I think he’s that good.  A penchant for giving up gopher balls and an inefficienct pitch counts are the only things keeping Cain from the heights that Lincecum achieved last year.   Judging from his spring, I think that he’s figured out the pitch counts problem.  We’ll see how it goes with the home runs.  Again, I say that ‘09 will be this guy’s year to shine. 

In the number three spot is new free agent acquisition Randy Johnson.  This brilliant pick up should only serve to better impact the staff both directly and indirectly.  With his spring training, Johnson was practically lights out.  We know what we’re getting with this one.  This is Johnson of 2009, not 1999 (nor the not quite Cy Young caliber 1989 model, thankfully).  That means, he’s older and has lost a few digits on the fastball.  However, he’s still nasty and in this, his swan song, no doubt wants to go out with a bang.  Provided his injuries stay away, look for him to be an exceptional #3.  Also look for him to lift younger pitchers such as Jonathan Sanchez and Matt Cain in the role of mentor.  The staff will only be better with Johnson on the team.

For the number four, we have our $16 million dollar man, Barry Zito.  Remember when this was a big offseason pickup?  Okay, I’ll go easy on the guy.  He no longer generates the same excitement that he did in the last two seasons (shocked?).  However, he’s pitched well at times in the spring and perhaps he’s turning the corner and finding a comfort zone with the team.  I like to take heart in that, though he started off 0-8 last season, he finished 10-17.  Therefore, after that abysmal beginning, he was 10-9 the rest of the way.  Not bad for a #4.  But then, I digress.

Bringing up the rear of the rotation will be southpaw Jonathan Sanchez.  He electrified and excited at times last season but ran out of gas some time in July (not to mention he got a stint on the DL).  That’s a stamina thing.  This year, he should be ready to pitch a full season.  What he’s shown at times has been incredible.  If he lives up to expectations, this should prove to be a good ‘no move’ by the team when they decided not to trade him in the offseason. 

I was originally hoping that Noah Lowry would assume the number five position this season but, alas, he was again beset by injuries and didn’t throw in spring training.   I like this guy and would very much like to see him back with the team.  However, nothing should be counted on at this time.  He has an option left and perhaps could work out the situation in Fresno.  Lest we forget the last time that a pitcher was injured this much was Rob Nen.  He never pitched again and the Giants finally a closer last season.  We don’t need the equivalent of Matt Herges and Tim Worrell in the rotation as we wait for Lowry to get well.  If and when he comes back, perhaps the role of long reliever might suit him. 

Should any of the starting five have to spend a stint on the shelf, there are some young guns who can step up and be inserted (aka, this year’s Matt Palmer).  Kevin Pucetas tops this list, though he wasn’t exactly sharp in spring training.  Joseph Martinez is another name that we might get to know (though I think he would be better suited in the bullpen).  Another is Jesse English (he did have a solid 2008).   Many are clamoring for Henry Sosa to get a look but last year wasn’t great for him and he definitely needs more time in the little leagues.

The names you won’t (and shouldn’t) be seeing in the rotation (even as fill-ins) this season are either ‘no ways’ or ‘not yets’.  Leading the former category is Ramon Ortiz (why was he signed and can we get rid of him yet?).  Second is Pat Misch.  Misch is nice but proved himself unready to start at the major league level last season.  His spring wasn’t mind blowing, either.  The ’not yets’ are two young studs who shall get all the time they need to develop.  If you don’t know their names (and how can you not?), they are Madison Bumgarner and Tim Alderson.  Alderson got boxed around a little in the spring training and doesn’t need that same thing happening when it counts (at least not at this time).  With Bumgarner, perhaps his performance in the spring will get the front office salivating to bring him up.  They should control this urge and, unless he’s absolutely putting up numbers such as Lincecum did in the minors in 2007 (look them up….they were quite impressive), he should spend the year learning his craft and looking forward to 2010.