Noah Lowry out at least through April

The Giants can't afford to start the season without one of their young starters, but that's exactly what they'll have to overcome.

Left-hander Noah Lowry is scheduled to have surgery on his left forearm on Friday and though he could be back throwing in 2 weeks, manager Bruce Bochy says it's more likely they'll be without him until the end of April.

“This is something that I don’t know enough about it to know how rare it is, but you don’t hear about it a lot,” Bochy said. “It’s not like this is a common occurrence in baseball players.”

Lowry was diagnosed with exertional compartment syndrome. According to MayoClinic.com, it is “an exercise-induced neuromuscular condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes even disability in affected muscles of the legs or arms.”

It'll be interesting who the Giants put in Lowry's place until he's ready to return to the rotation.

Wang has rough outing, Reds win 12-8

The Yankees 19-game winner didn't exactly have the kind of game he would like to have, but then again, it's only Spring right?

Right-hander Chien-Ming Wang failed to get out of the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds, giving up 6 runs on 6 hits in a 12-8 Yankees loss on Thursday afternoon.

Edwin Encarnacion had the big day, hitting a grand slam and a 2-run single for the Reds. Pitcher Aaron Harang went 3 innings today, giving up 2 hits and striking out 2.

If you're a Yankees fan, tomorrow should be exciting. Closer Mariano Rivera will make his spring debut tomorrow against the Houston Astros.

Hawpe, Rockies agree to 3-year deal

After the franchise's first World Series appearance, the Rockies have come to terms with outfielder Brad Hawpe on a 3-year $17,425,000 deal on Tuesday.

In 2007, Hawpe hit 29 HR's at 116 RBI's for the National League Champions.

Another Giants' pitcher has interesting outing

Should the Giants and manager Bruce Bochy be worried at this point? If they weren't after the terrible outing that Barry Zito had yesterday in a 23-8 thumping by the Oakland A's, maybe they should be today after the outing from left-hander Noah Lowry.

Lowry walked 9 of the 12 batters he faced, facing the entire Texas Rangers' lineup with 1 official at-bat against him. So far this spring, Lowry has walked 12 batters in 2 1/3 innings of work...manager Bruce Bochy:

“We were hoping he’d find it in the second. “He said he had trouble gripping the ball. He couldn’t feel it. This is definitely one he’s got to wash off. He’s going to bounce back and get the ball where he wants it. He has to deal with it but he’s a tough kid.”

Memo to the Giants, this could be a very VERY long season if this is any indication of the season to come.

Prince Fielder unhappy with current contract

Brewers 1st baseman Prince Fielder has become frustrated with his current contract. He renewed his $670,000 contract on Sunday, but feels he should be getting paid a lot more.

“I’m not happy about it at all,” Fielder said. “The fact I’ve had to be renewed two years in a row, I’m not happy about it because there’s a lot of guys who have the same amount of time that I do who have done a lot less and are getting paid a lot more."

Fielder will be eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season.