SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Matt Cain believes he can open the season on time as a fully functioning member of the Giants' starting rotation, though he's destined to be sidelined for at least another week after a cyst was removed from his right (pitching) arm last Thursday.
While speaking to reporters Saturday for the first time since the procedure, Cain wore a protective cast on his arm to cover the incision and prevent infection or irritation.
"I think with the amount of time we still have left in Spring Training and the way I was feeling before Spring Training, I don't think I'll have a problem," Cain said, referring to his satisfactory physical conditioning. "With this one, I'm not exactly sure when, we'll be able to do some exercises to keep my shoulder still going. So it won't be like I'll be sitting there for a week or so."
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Cain had a similar cyst removed from the same area, on the inner portion of his right arm a few inches above the elbow, in November. That was deeper than the more recent one.
Cain said that as late as January, he tried massage in an effort to break up the second cyst, which he likened to "a blister underneath my skin that we couldn't get rid of. Finally, it ruptured, so we had to take it out."
The rupture made Cain's arm feel irritated and sensitive. It also prevented him from throwing, which he did effectively during the Giants' early workouts. If he follows his projected timetable for recovery, he could make as many as four exhibition starts, giving him just enough arm strength and stamina to pitch at the back end of San Francisco's rotation.
• Giants manager Bruce Bochy named the Giants' starters for the first four Cactus League games. Jeff Samardzija will start the exhibition opener Wednesday against the Angels, followed by Jake Peavy on Thursday against the Brewers, Opening Day starter Madison Bumgarner on Friday against the Reds and Johnny Cueto in a split-squad game Saturday against Texas.