Giants express sympathy for former teammate Ross

PHOENIX -- Visiting Chase Field and his Arizona Diamondbacks teammates Saturday for the first time since sustaining horrific right hip injuries Aug. 11, Cody Ross encountered one of his old Giants acquaintances: manager Bruce Bochy.

"Everybody who played with Cody likes him," Bochy said.

Said Ross, "He said he was going to call me and felt bad for me and was thinking about me."

Ross' best friends with the Giants during his 2010-11 tenure with the club, such as first baseman Aubrey Huff and left fielder Pat Burrell, no longer play organized baseball. But, echoing what Bochy said, one Giant conveyed the clubhouse-wide concern for Ross, who could be ready to resume baseball-related activites by the middle of Spring Training.

"Everybody in here, once they saw the injury [on televison replays], felt bad for him," said left-hander Javier Lopez, who was traded to the Giants one month before Ross arrived in a separate deal. Ross proceeded to win Most Valuable Player honors in the 2010 National League Championship Series, ensuring his place in franchise lore.

Speaking publicly for the first time since being injured -- which occurred when he slowed down as he ran out a grounder to third base -- Ross said he instantly sensed he had fractured and dislocated his hip, which proved to be the case. It wasn't too long before Ross' thoughts shifted to Bo Jackson, the multiple-sport star whose athletic career ended with a hip injury in January 1991 while playing running back for the Oakland Raiders.

"His injury happened 20 years ago. Technology's better," Ross said, explaining his optimism. "I don't play football. I don't have to worry about carrying 260 pounds of shredded muscle. I'm 190 pounds and playing baseball."

Ross, 32, entered the interview room on crutches, wearing a white cap backward and his typical wide grin.

"My spirits have been up," he said. "I know I'm going to come back from it and be ready to help next year."