Giants' Torres rehabbing, to start for Grizzlies

May 5, 2011GIANTS PAGEGIANTS VIDEOGIANTS TRANSACTIONS

Mychael UrbanCSNBayArea.com
Giants outfielder Andres Torres, out since April 10 with a strained left Achilles tendon, is scheduled to start in center field and play seven innings for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies on Thursday night.Previously rehabbing and playing against low-level minor leaguers in Arizona, Torres had been hopeful about re-joining the Giants on Friday for the opener of a three-game series against the visiting Rockies at AT&T Park. On Wednesday, however, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Torres isn't quite ready to go all-out in a big-league contest. It's unclear how many games Torres will play for the Grizzlies, but it's likely he'll have to show that he can play nine innings on consecutive days and run at full speed before he's activated.Torres is already eligible to come off the DL, while utilityman Mark DeRosa (left wrist inflammation) isn't eligible to come off until Tuesday. DeRosa has been swinging the bat without discomfort or swelling in his twice-repaired wrist, and it's possible that he won't need a rehab assignment before being activated.Left-hander Barry Zito, on the DL since April 17 with a right mid-foot sprain, is still using a walking boot to get around in everyday life, but he's been able to remove it and put pressure on the foot while playing catch at about 60 feet. Zito will need a rehab assignment, but there's no timetable for his return to the rotation.Also on the Giants' crowded DL is righty reliever Santiago Casilla (right elbow inflammation), who is rehabbing in Arizona and already eligible for activation, and third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a fractured portion of the hamate bone in his right hand and is expected to miss another 4-6 weeks.