Aaron Rowand returned to action on Sunday May 22.

Aaron Rowand (back) is not in the starting lineup again Sunday but is available off the bench.

Rowand hasn't played since Wednesday due to a back injury. Bochy indicated that the outfielder could be available to start Tuesday following Monday's off day.

Aaron Rowand left Wednesday's game against the Dodgers in the ninth inning with a back injury.

Rowand injured his back while attempting to beat out an infield hit. It doesn't appear to be a major concern right now, so consider him day-to-day.

Aaron Rowand (back) went 1-for-5 with a double and a run scored in his return to the lineup Wednesday.

Rowand left Tuesday's game against the Mets in the ninth inning due to back spasms.

Aaron Rowand returned to action on Wednesday May 4.

Aaron Rowand left Tuesday's game against the Mets in the ninth inning with back spasms.

He went 1-for-5 with an RBI single before leaving the game. Pat Burrell came in to play left field in the bottom of the ninth, so it was obvious something was wrong. Consider him day-to-day right now.

Aaron Rowand picked up two of just five Giants hits in a shutout loss to the Nationals on Friday.

The Giants could tally just one extra-base hit against Nats starter Jason Marquis, who threw his first shutout in nearly two years. As for Rowand, the multi-hit game was his third in four nights, as he continues to play better in the absence of Andres Torres than most expected.

Aaron Rowand (forearm) is in Wednesday's lineup against the Rockies.

For now, at least. Rowand tested his left forearm by doing some throwing in the cage, but we'll see how he feels once he gets outside in the chilly Denver weather.

Aaron Rowand (forearm) hopes to play in Wednesday's series finale against the Rockies.

Rowand was hit in the left forearm with a pitch in the first inning Tuesday and left the game in the fifth inning. The Giants haven't decided whether Darren Ford or Brandon Belt will go to the minors to make room for Cody Ross, but having some insurance for center field would be a smart idea.

Aaron Rowand left Tuesday's game with a left forearm contusion.

Rowand was hit in the ribs by a pitch in the first inning, but it's apparently his arm that's the reason for his exit. He's likely considered day-to-day. Darren Ford replaced him in center field.

SI.com's Jon Heyman thinks Aaron Rowand could be released when Cody Ross (calf) returns from the disabled list.

They would have to simply eat the $12 million owed to the outfielder this year and next year, but it can be argued that he simply offers the least of anyone on the Giants' bench. Rowand is actually off to a nice start this season, picking up four hits in his first seven at-bats.

Aaron Rowand returned from a groin injury Saturday but ended up leaving after getting hit by a pitch just above his right wrist.

For now, the Giants are just calling it a contusion, but he'll be re-evaluated. Rowand's groin wasn't bothering him before he had to exit, as he went 2-for-2 at the plate and was able to go first to third on a single. We'll update the condition of his wrist when more is known.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy intends to keep Aaron Rowand in center field rather than let him battle for the starting job in left field this spring.

Even though Andres Torres is pretty obviously the superior center fielder these days, it sounds like Torres will be the one getting moved around when Rowand plays. It'd be for the best if that doesn't happen too often. Torres currently projects as the starter in center, with Pat Burrell, Mark DeRosa and Nate Schierholtz battling for time in left. It's also possible, though unlikely, that the Giants could go with Aubrey Huff in left and rookie Brandon Belt at first base.

According to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, the Giants and Cubs discussed a straight swap of Aaron Rowand and Kosuke Fukudome.

Crasnick calls it, "a classic bad-contract, change-of-scenery deal." That's exactly what it is, but Rowand's contract still has two years and $24 million on it while Fukudome's only has the $13.5 million that he's owed in 2011. It's a deal that simply doesn't make sense from the Cubs' side.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean denied rumors of trade that would ship Aaron Rowand back to the Phillies.

"There's nothing to that," Sabean said. "There's nothing going between the Giants and the Phillies with Rowand." Sabean said that Rowand is in competition with Mark DeRosa, Pat Burrell and rookie Brandon Belt for the starting left field job. Rowand is owed $12 million in 2011 and 2012 and would be very difficult to move.

Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that the Phillies might consider trading for Aaron Rowand if the Giants are willing to pick up most of his remaining salary.

With Jayson Werth expected to leave via free agency, look for Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro to add a right-handed bat this winter. According to Heyman, the Phillies may even consider free agent Magglio Ordonez. Rowand is an interesting idea until you realize that he is almost exclusively a center fielder and has struggled miserably against left-handed pitching each of the past two seasons. By the way, Rowand is also owed $12 million in 2011 and 2012. Ordonez would be a far more savvy addition.

Updating an earlier item, Aaron Rowand will be included on the Giants' NLCS roster.

He'll be used off the bench in a pinch-hitting role. Rowand received just 22 at-bats down the stretch in September and October and pinch-hit twice during the NLDS.

Aaron Rowand has not yet been told if he's on the NLCS roster.

Rowand had just two pinch-hit at-bats against the Braves, singling in one at-bat and striking out in the other. If he is on the roster, he's not going to be getting any starts.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Wednesday that outfielder Aaron Rowand will be a member of the club's NLDS roster.

Let's hope that he is not used often. Rowand, 33, posted a miserable .230/.281/.378 batting line in 331 at-bats during the regular season and is a far worse option in center field than Andres Torres.

Aaron Rowand went hitless in Tuesday's loss and is just 6-for-51 since the beginning of August.

Rowand was decent enough in a part-time role in June and July, but he's been awful lately and the Giants are going to be hurting while having him fill in for Andres Torres. He's driven in just one run since July 28.