Emmanuel Burriss and Mark DeRosa received encouraging signs about their respective injuries Sunday, giving the Giants a sense of triumph although rain canceled their scheduled exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals.
Burriss must remain in a walking boot for four weeks after sustaining a small fracture in his left foot, but the infielder could resume playing within two months barring further complications.
DeRosa, the Giants' projected left fielder, tested his surgically repaired left wrist by taking batting practice against professional pitching for the first time this spring and hopes to begin playing in exhibition games by Tuesday or Wednesday.
Burriss hurt himself while running out a double last Wednesday against Seattle. It was a rude interruption to his comeback from breaking his fifth metatarsal last July, also while rounding a base. Burriss' current fracture is located near the screw that was inserted in his foot to heal the previous break.
Thus, finding ways to prevent further foot woes is a long-term goal for Burriss and the Giants. "This has become a recurring injury overnight," he said.
Short-term, the Giants are doing all they can to hasten Burriss' healing. They'll administer medication that's typically used for osteoporosis to strengthen his bone density. He'll be treated with a device that stimulates blood flow to the bone. A cast was taken of Burriss' ailing foot so experts can evaluate whether he needs special shoes.
"We're trying to throw the kitchen sink at him right now," head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said.
The Giants hope to avoid subjecting Burriss to another surgery, which would require up to four months of healing. Barring complications, Burriss will undergo a CT scan when the walking boot is removed.
"Four weeks isn't that far away, so I don't think I'll be that out of shape," said Burriss, who was competing for a reserve role on the Giants' Opening Day roster.
DeRosa had taken batting practice against coaches, but hadn't swung against Major or Minor Leaguers, which conceivably could put more stress on his wrist. Sunday, he made solid contact and experienced no discomfort while facing Minor League left-handers Craig Clark and Clayton Tanner in a rain-soaked simulated game.
Often, hitters recovering from hand or wrist ailments experience pain when they swing and miss or check their swings. But, DeRosa said, "I felt fine."
DeRosa received surprises in the form of a couple of 3-2 offspeed pitches from Clark, who was 16-2 at Class A San Jose last year. "You're pitching like Greg Maddux!" a grinning DeRosa hollered to Clark.
Another participant in that simulated game, right fielder Nate Schierholtz, endured a scare when he fouled an inside fastball from Tanner off his left kneecap -- a rare occurrence for a left-handed batter. Unable to stand due to the pain in his knee, Schierholtz topped backward and struck his head against one of the metal supports in the batting cage. Groeschner and hitting coach Hensley Meulens hoisted Schierholtz from the ground and began to lead him from the field, but minutes later he felt fine.
First baseman Brett Pill, who would have started against Kansas City, was scratched after a ball struck him between the eyes during a short-hop drill.
"It didn't hit me hard," said Pill, who was hit while trying to execute fielding advice he had just received from special assistant Will Clark. Pill was bandaged but needed no stitches.
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