Vogelsong hopes for one-plus innings in opener

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Ryan Vogelsong typically wants to pitch as much as he can. But he'll settle for one inning and at least part of a second inning in Saturday's exhibition opener against the Los Angeles Angels.

Vogelsong wants to simulate regular-season conditions by completing the first inning, watching his teammates hit and then heading to the mound for the second inning. Whether he finishes that second inning doesn't matter at all. Vogelsong wants to regain that feeling of stopping and resuming his physical effort.

"At this stage it's important to have the up-and-down," Vogelsong said earlier this week.

Bent on being ready for the World Baseball Classic in early March, Vogelsong hoped to check off another item on his list of preparations.

"I wouldn't like to have a lot of traffic," he said, "but at the same time it wouldn't be bad to have just a little bit, just to get used to holding runners, checking guys and pitching out of the stretch."

Matt Cain will start Sunday against the Cubs, followed by Madison Bumgarner on Monday against the White Sox, Tim Lincecum on Tuesday against the Dodgers and Vogelsong and Barry Zito on Wednesday against the Angels.