Giants' rotation takes shape

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. " Now that Tim Lincecum and Randy Johnson are in the same rotation for the San Francisco Giants, Lincecum should not have to worry about hurting his finger when facing the Big Unit.

Johnson hit Lincecum with a high-inside fastball when Lincecum was attempting to bunt in a game last September against Arizona. Lincecum said he is just now healing.

"I had gnarly-looking finger for a while," Lincecum said.

As expected, the two will headline the Giants rotation in the regular season with reigning NL Cy Young winner Lincecum starting the opener against Milwaukee on April 7 and five-time Cy Young winner Johnson pitching the following game.

"Hopefully we'll mess with the batters," Lincecum said. "I'm coming out one day. The next day it's him. That's why you go with the lefty-righty thing. Hopefully that will help out."

Right-hander Matt Cain will be third in the rotation, followed by lefties Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez.

"Really, all three lefties are different," manager Bruce Bochy said. "They are different style pitchers. That's not a concern. We thought it was the best way to set it up."

Johnson threw only 40 pitches Monday in his first start since suffering biceps soreness, and will make his next start Sunday against the Brewers.

He opted to pitch against major league hitters rather than in a minor league game even though he will face Milwaukee 10 days later, and he still believes he can get his pitch count to the point he can make 100 or so in his first regular-season start.

"My next start will be crucial," he said. "It's important to do it now to condition yourself so when you have to do it (in a major league game), it's a little bit easier. Health-wise, I feel fine. It was just a little tired arm. I would have rather had it sooner."

Bochy also believes Johnson could get to 100 pitches in his regular-season debut, but added, "If he's not there, we'll still be covered with the 'pen."

The apparent strength in the starting rotation could enable the Giants to carry only 11 pitchers on the opening day roster, which would leave room for an extra position player.

"That would give us more flexibility," general manager Brian Sabean said.

Giants starting pitchers were durable and effective enough to make 86 quality starts last season, the third most in the National League. Lincecum was second in the majors with 26 starts of at least six innings with three earned runs or fewer allowed. Cain had 21, and Johnson had 18 in only 30 starts with Arizona.

Lincecum pitched 227 innings in 2008 and Cain has averaged 200 innings for the last three years. Johnson averaged six innings a start with Arizona last season, and Zito was just under that.

"It's 50-50 right now," Bochy said. "We'll see where at the last week, then determine if we think we'll need 12 or not. If we have the right relievers down there, if we think we can go with 11, that's what we'd like to do."

In that scenario, the Giants could carry both second base candidates, Emmanuel Burriss and Kevin Frandsen, along with veterans Rich Aurilia and Juan Uribe. Non-roster infielder Jesus Guzman and outfielder Andres Torres also have played themselves into consideration for the opening day roster.

Notes: Burriss had three of the Giants' seven hits Tuesday in Tucson against Arizona, including a three-run triple. He has 25 hits, most in the majors this spring. Pablo Sandoval has 23. ... Aurilia had a double in three at-bats Tuesday, raising his spring batting average to .351. He has six hits in his last 14 at-bats. He appears to be the primary right-handed hitting backup to Travis Ishikawa at first base. ... Lincecum and Johnson are on track to start the Giants two exhibition games in San Francisco against Oakland on April 2 and 3. Cain would start the third game of the Bay Bridge series against the A's at the Oakland Coliseum.