| QUOTE |
| TEMPE, Ariz. -- Giants left-hander Noah Lowry will undergo surgery Friday in the Bay Area to relieve a condition in his throwing wrist, which will sideline him for two to three weeks. Relaying word from the Giants' medical staff, manager Bruce Bochy said Lowry is suffering from exertional compartment syndrome, which the Mayo Clinic's Web site described as "an exercise-induced neuromuscular condition that causes pain, swelling and sometimes even disability in affected muscles of the legs or arms. The condition can occur in both beginning and seasoned athletes in sports that involve repetitive movements." The objective of surgery, Bochy said, will be to relieve pressure from tissue in Lowry's wrist without damaging the tissue itself. "It's not like this is a common occurrence in baseball players," Bochy said. Lowry complained of fatigue in the area between his left thumb and wrist, robbing him of his ability to control pitches. In two exhibition appearances, the Giants' projected No. 3 starter walked 12 of the 23 batters he faced while posting a 23.14 ERA. Bochy estimated that Lowry, 27, might not be ready to pitch until the end of April, which creates a temporary opening in the Giants' starting rotation. Kevin Correia, previously competing for the rotation's No. 5 spot with Jonathan Sanchez, almost certainly will secure a job. Sanchez might have to fend off left-hander Patrick Misch and right-hander Victor Santos, a non-roster invitee, for the fifth starter role. |