Jim

Brower

He tied the franchise record for appearances in a season this past Friday with 89.

Brower will open the season as a middle reliever.

One of the reasons Matt Herges was traded for is to take over Brower’s spot in the bullpen. Brower did nothing in Sunday’s start to earn the chance, but manager Felipe Alou says: ''We are saying we are going to give Brower a shot.’'

After Kirk Rueter’s start tonight, the Giants plan to use a rotation of Jerome Williams, Foppert, Damian Moss and Jason Schmidt.

Brower had a 3.57 ERA in 22 2/3 IP for the Braves, but his 1.68 WHIP was more reflective of how he was pitching. It’s possible that another team will pick him up.

Brower has been effective in two of his three starts for the Giants. He could be bumped from the rotation at any time, but for now, he has some fantasy value.

Brower was maybe a little better during his stint with the Padres. He had a 9.39 ERA in 7 1/3 innings for the club. While with the Orioles, he had a 13.86 ERA in 12 1/3 innings. If he’s willing to accept a minor league assignment, the Padres would probably be happy to have him at Triple-A Portland.

He pitched a scoreless ninth inning against Coilorado Springs. Brower had a 9.39 ERA in 7 1/3 innings for the Padres before being designated for assignment on Wednesday.

The Giants had been considering starting Brower on Thursday to give Jason Schmidt an extra day of rest, but that won’t be a possibility now. Instead, expect Brower to start in place of the injured Rueter on Sunday.

Brower, a journeyman reliever plugging a hole in the injury-riddled Giant rotation, rebounded from his previous beating at the hands of the D’Backs. Just ten days ago, Brower had allowed six runs in 1 1/3 innings to this same Arizona team. The Giants will have to decide this weekend whether to keep Brower or Jesse Foppert in their rotation. Since they might acquire a starter, it’s possible that Brower will rejoin the pen and Foppert will be sent back to the minors.