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Lance Niekro

7/16/2006

Niekro, the Giants' starting first baseman on opening day, was optioned to Triple-A Fresno on Sunday before San Francisco's game against Philadelphia. Niekro has been on the disabled list three times over the past two years, and has struggled since his most recent trip to the DL with a strained groin.

6/29/2006

Niekro was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Wednesday. The 27-year-old first baseman, who had been on a rehab assignment, hit two homers in the Grizzlies' 4-2 win over Sacramento earlier in the day. "We need Niekro here," Giants manager Felipe Alou said. "Especially when you have back-to-back lefty starters."

5/21/2006

Niekro was put on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday after the first baseman's right shoulder failed to heal as quickly as the San Francisco Giants had hoped. The move is retroactive to May 15.

4/20/2006

Niekro, who has been on the bereavement list and last played on Sunday, may return to the San Francisco Giants as soon as Thursday. The Giants are in Arizona, where they will take on the Diamondbacks Thursday night. Niekro is batting .212 with a homer and five RBIs in 11 games.

6/20/2005

Niekro was back in the Giants' lineup for Sunday's meeting with the Detroit Tigers, going 2-for-6 with a home run and two RBI. The first baseman missed the team's previous five contests after fouling a ball off his big toe during batting practice.

6/14/2005

Scheduled to start in Tuesday's game as the designated hitter for the Giants, Niekro was scratched prior to the first pitch. Niekro fouled a ball off his foot in batting practice and was taken in for X-Rays.

Scheduled to start in Tuesday's game as the designated hitter for the Giants, Niekro was scratched prior to the first pitch. The 26-year-old rookie fouled a ball off his foot in batting practice and was taken in for X-rays, which showed no fractures. Niekro is day-to-day.

4/19/2005

Niekro stepped into the Giants' lineup and handled the first-base duties after starter J.T. Snow left with a strained groin in the fifth inning of Monday's game against the San Diego Padres. The rookie took advantage of the opportunity, going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate and belting the first home run of his major league career.

Niekro's primary position used to be third base, but he was moved to first after battling shoulder problems. If Snow is forced to miss any time with his injury, Niekro likely will get the nod at first. In 11 career games with the Giants, he is 6-for-21 with two doubles, one homer and five RBI.