Andrew Baggarly-MercuryNews
The Giants rejected all trade overtures this winter for Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum, their young aces who arrived at Scottsdale Stadium on the reporting date for pitchers and catchers Wednesday. The biggest upset might be that Noah Lowry was there, too.
The way the Giants talked about trading a pitcher to balance their lineup, you couldn't blame Lowry for assuming he'd be sent packing for a young hitter. You also couldn't blame Lowry if he has trouble settling in this spring, since the Giants remain active in trade talks.
But Lowry said he is focused only on his effort, his fastball location and maintaining his health - the things he can control.
"I got out here on the first to let them and everybody else know I was healthy and ready to go," said Lowry, who was shut down in August as a precaution because of a tender left elbow. "We've been working out here for the last two weeks. I'm feeling good about the routine and hopefully (the trainers) feel good about where I'm at."
As for the trade rumors, Lowry said they haven't weighed on him.
"I couldn't even tell you what all was said," he said. "I'm excited about being on this team and the year that we have in front of us."
General Manager Brian Sabean said he wasn't concerned that Lowry would be distracted this spring and downplayed the number of legitimate trade proposals that included the left-hander.
"He wasn't talked about as much as what was speculated (or) raised by other teams," Sabean said.
That's probably because Lowry wasn't healthy to end the season; his forearm tightness might have been caused by a bone spur that tests picked up years ago. Opposing executives and scouts also were scared off by Lowry's peripheral stats - 87 walks and 87 strikeouts in 156 innings. He was the only full-time starter in the National League to walk as many batters as he struck out, and his 5.02 walks per nine innings was the highest among all N.L. pitchers with at least 100 innings.
"He'd get clobbered in the American League," one A.L. scout said.
That's why Lowry knows he has plenty to address, even though he had a 14-8 record and led the staff in victories last year. He worked this winter on repeating his arm action and staying in a consistent delivery so he doesn't tip his slider or change-up. He'd practice in front of a mirror and videotape himself to check his form.
The key is to locate his fastball, he said. And to stay healthy.
Lowry was crestfallen over injuries in each of the past two seasons. In 2006, he pulled an oblique muscle in his first start and spent a month on the disabled list.
Every winter has been a new experience as Lowry relearns his body and how to condition it for a full season. He said he has thrown off a mound "a couple of times" over the past few weeks.
"As you go along, you find you're lacking in some areas," said Lowry, who worked out with Kevin Correia in San Diego again. "Maybe I need to focus more on my arm, so I got with the guys here and I'm really following their routine. I feel good coming in and that's the most important thing."
Giants Manager Bruce Bochy is glad to have Lowry in camp. He was struck by the way the 27-year-old battled on the mound.
"He finds a way to win ballgames," Bochy said. "He did last year and we'll look for him to continue that."
• It was a quiet first day in camp, with a few telling glimpses that the post-Barry Bonds era had begun: Barry Zito occupied Bonds' former locker and there were only four reporters in the clubhouse.
Players wore black-and-white camouflage T-shirts with "Warrior Spirit" and "Find the Swagger" printed in block letters on the back. Bochy said in October that he hoped for more of a "Warrior Spirit" in the club; the training staff designed the shirts and incorporated the slogan.
• Bochy said he would announce his rotation alignment today. Matt Cain is expected to get the nod on opening day.
• Vinnie Chulk reported to camp with no physical restrictions and said the circulation disorder in his right hand had improved. Chulk hasn't experienced any numbness in six weeks and began throwing every day in January with no problems.
Chulk continues to swear off smokeless tobacco, which doctors advised him to do.
• Aaron Rowand, Kevin Frandsen and Nate Schierholtz are among the position players who reported early. Steve Kline was stuck in an airport on the East Coast and was unable to report on time.
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