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Tuesday, April 15, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Brian Giles reported to PNC Park yesterday and was able to ride a stationary bike and work out in a hydrotherapy pool, a sort of treadmill in water that allows him to exercise while reducing the weight he places on his sprained right knee.

	Brian Giles (Peter Diana, Post-Gazette) SLOW START Brian Giles has been less than productive so far for the Pirates. The following are his statistics to date: AB Hits 2B 3B HR Runs RBIs 31 7 3 0 0 5 4 Related articlePirates Report: 4/15/03

"It's gotten better each day," Giles said. "I'm encouraged by the way it's been feeling the last two days."

Improvement is good news even though Giles is on the disabled list until early May and probably longer. But a re-evaluation of his injury Sunday night when the Pirates returned from Chicago also indicated that surgery is unnecessary.

Although the team did not issue an update, Giles said he was checked by team medical director Dr. Patrick DeMeo after being examined Saturday by Dr. Michael Shafer, the orthopedist for the Cubs and Bears.

"Both of them confirmed it won't need surgery," said Giles, who is being fitted for a knee brace while he goes through a regimen of treatment and rehabilitation to heal and strengthen the frayed medial collateral ligament in his knee.

The only question is how long it will take the injury to mend. One yardstick is four weeks, witha worst-case scenario of six weeks and a best-case of two weeks.

For now, Giles' agent said a "wait-and-see" approach is being taken before a decision is made on getting another opinion.

"We'll see how he's feeling in a day or two," said Joe Bick.

Outfielder Matt Stairs also received treatment on his strained left hamstring. The injury prevented Stairs from starting the last two games of the series against the Cubs, although he did see action as a pinch-hitter. With the Pirates having the day off yesterday, Stairs had an extra day of treatment, but he likely would not have started tonight against New York Mets left-hander Tom Glavine anyway.

"He's making progress. He's feeling better every day," General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

Manager Lloyd McClendon, keeping his fingers crossed for quick recoveries, will use a platoon situation in left field. Giles is the Pirates' most important position player because of his consistency in putting up power numbers.

"He's the biggest key for us," Littlefield said.

Having Stairs back will help, even if he is hitting .167. Also seeing playing time will be utility man Rob Mackowiak, backup catcher Craig Wilson, who also plays first base and left and right field, and recently recalled Adam Hyzdu.

Mackowiak (.286) started Sunday's game in left field and has made one other appearance there. He also has started twice at second base, once at third base, once in center and three times in right.

Since spring training, Mackowiak has practiced a daily routine of fielding 15 to 20 ground balls and 15 to 20 fly balls so he can be ready if called upon.

"It's what took me to get here. I have to keep working to stay," he said. "You never want to see your best player get hurt. But you have to be ready to go out there."

The onus is on the bench and the rest of the lineup to respond to Giles' absence, but they also have to avoid the pitfall of carrying too much of the burden.

"Everybody knows they have to pick it up a little bit," Mackowiak said. "Maybe guys are pushing too hard, myself included. Maybe it's hurting, trying to do more than you should."

For his part, Giles believes the team's depth will pay off.

"Right now we're a little banged up. But we have enough depth this year where it shouldn't hurt us too bad," he said. "We have enough guys at this level who know how to do it, so we have to feel a little more confident than if this would have happened two or three years ago."