SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- The Giants broke camp Wednesday, but some relievers felt as if they weren't getting a break at all.

With bullpen roles still available for the taking and roster spots still being determined, those in limbo packed concerns along with their equipment as they prepared to fly to San Francisco for four exhibition games, beginning Thursday.

"It's like you have a 15-chapter book and you're on Chapter 10," left-hander Jack Taschner said. "Walking out of here, in reality, we have four games that mean everything for a lot of us in the 'pen."

Besides Armando Benitez, who has re-established himself as San Francisco's closer, the relievers most likely to make the Opening Day roster include right-hander Vinnie Chulk and left-hander Steve Kline. Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez also appeared to have the inside track on a job, but he surrendered two ninth-inning runs in the Giants' 8-6 exhibition loss to the Milwaukee Brewers.

Assuming the Giants keep 12 pitchers, and subtracting the five starters, that leaves three spots for Taschner, Kevin Correia, Brad Hennessey, Scott Munter and Brian Wilson. Non-roster right-handers Scott Atchison and Sun-Woo Kim are long shots.

Relievers' ERAs are often deceiving, since one bad outing can skew the numbers. The distortion can be worse in spring exhibitions, when defense is often suspect and playing conditions (thin air, hard infields) frequently favor hitters. Still, many of the bullpen candidates own ERAs to forget, including Correia (8.44), Hennessey (9.00), Kline (6.23), Munter (5.40), Sanchez (7.84), Taschner (8.59) and Wilson (8.44). Correia, Kline and Hennessey each pitched a scoreless inning against Milwaukee.

"I don't think anyone has pitched [himself] into a role, so I can't be disappointed that I [haven't]," said Correia, who entered Spring Training as a favorite to claim a setup role.

Though much is at stake with each appearance, the worst thing a reliever can do is yield to the pressure.

"This isn't as bad as when I'd have a bad outing and I thought I was getting sent down after the game," Correia said. "At least I've worked my way into a position where I have some leeway. And the season hasn't started yet. In four days, everybody's ERA will be zero and we'll be starting from scratch."

Good (burp) deed: Barry Zito was among a handful of veterans who received permission to break camp Tuesday, since Wednesday was an off-day for him. But Zito left his mark before he departed.

The left-hander purchased steak-and-potato meals for 250 players, coaches and personnel at the Giants' Minor League complex. Zito wanted to bestow a token of appreciation for the farm system's accommodating him on March 20, when he pitched seven innings in an exhibition against the Los Angeles Angels' Class A Rancho Cucamonga club.

Zito is renowned for his selfless acts, having lent his time to numerous causes.

Briefly: Pitching coach Dave Righetti officially set the season-opening starting rotation. As has been reported, the order of appearance is Zito, Matt Cain, Matt Morris, Noah Lowry and Russ Ortiz. ... Despite allowing Milwaukee six runs (three earned) in five innings, Lowry said, "I felt that for the most part, I made good, quality pitches when I needed to." Added Lowry, who finished with a 6.56 Cactus League ERA and 16 walks in 23 1/3 innings, "It was a huge step in the right direction." ... Right-hander Dan Giese, outfielder Clay Timpner and infielders Luis Figueroa and Justin Leone will provide depth by joining the Giants for their four Bay Area exhibition games. ... Manager Bruce Bochy is expected to rejoin the club Thursday after attending his mother's funeral in Melbourne, Fla. ... The Giants averaged a record 10,643 fans per game at Scottsdale Stadium during the Cactus League season. Their total of 148,998 for 14 home dates was second to the record set in 2004 (152,185 in 15 dates). ... Right-hander David Cortes, who recorded a 2.45 ERA in seven exhibition appearances before being reassigned to Minor League camp, was placed on loan to the Mexico City Red Devils of the Mexican League.

Coming up: The Giants return to San Francisco to face a Seattle Mariners split-squad at AT&T Park. Zito will perform a dress rehearsal for his Opening Day appearance next Tuesday against San Diego. Fellow left-hander Jarrod Washburn is scheduled to start for Seattle.