The Giants remain in the trade market, still trying to upgrade their offense, but their thinking has changed given what's happening in the trainer's room.
With reliever Vinnie Chulk shelved with shoulder tendinitis and starter Noah Lowry rehabbing from surgery and unavailable until at least late April, the Giants are shying away from trade talk if it means giving up pitchers.
"We're going to try," general manager Brian Sabean said when asked if he expects trade activity before Opening Day, "but I don't see us trading pitching in any regard to try to solve what we want to do offensively."
The Giants continue to monitor third basemen Joe Crede of the White Sox and Brandon Inge of the Tigers, but both teams expressed an interest in pitching. If the Giants don't add a corner infielder, it's possible Rich Aurilia, who's healthy and producing, could start at first base and Kevin Frandsen at third base.
Daniel Ortmeier has been given a prolonged shot at first, but his average (.178) suggests he might not be ready for everyday work in the big leagues.
"We're going to let it play out," Sabean said. "We didn't guarantee he's going to be on the team or guarantee he's going to be the everyday first baseman as much as he was given a chance to get a lion's share of the playing time. The good thing is, Richie can play first."
Lowry's absence gives Jonathan Sanchez the likely nod as the No. 5 starter. The Giants plan to keep 12 pitchers, including seven relievers. With Chulk's availability in question, bullpen competitions become more pronounced and involve right-handers Merkin Valdez (looking solid after Tommy John surgery), former Met and Devil Ray Bartolome Fortunato (1.59 ERA in six outings), and lefty Erick Threets of Livermore.
Plus, ex-A's reliever Keiichi Yabu, 39, has been impressive.
Lincecum on target: Tim Lincecum is in line to pitch the series finale at Dodger Stadium on April 2, with Barry Zito and Matt Cain working the first two games of the season-opening series.
On Monday, Lincecum threw 85 pitches in five innings against an A's A-ball team at the Giants' minor-league facility. He surrendered two runs and five hits, walked a batter, hit another and collected eight strikeouts.
Reminded that his first regular-season start will have a different setting than Monday's, in which about 20 fans watched, Lincecum smiled and replied, "About 50,000 different."
While the Giants were losing 4-2 to the Rockies in Tucson, Lincecum - who said his goals are 200 innings and 15 wins - was able to pitch in a more controlled environment and extend his pitch count. He said his groin problem, which prompted him to miss a start, is "not an issue right now."
"Guys come over here and relax," pitching coach Dave Righetti said. "His last game, he looked like a closer coming out of the bullpen and tried to throw like one. Sometimes they don't even know it. This is a different atmosphere. They get so much out of it."
Currently, Kevin Correia is the No. 4 starter, followed by Sanchez. They could be flip-flopped so Sanchez and Zito (both lefties) don't pitch back to back. That would put Cain on target to start the home opener against the Padres on April 7.
Briefly: Ex-Giants right-hander Jerome Williams was at the team's minor-league camp, looking for work. He's hoping to get a tryout with any team and hopes the Giants give him another chance, even if it means in A-ball. ... The Giants, now 6-15, are off today and play again Wednesday night against the Cubs.
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