So it was a bonus that he pitched adequately, too.

Johnson yielded only one hit and struck out two in two innings as he made his Cactus League debut for the Giants, who lost 6-1 Friday to the Royals.

In each of the previous two springs, Johnson was forced to ease himself gradually into pitching shape after undergoing back surgeries. Now, after an operation-free offseason, he can concentrate on preparation instead of recovery.

"Considering the last two years, I'm well ahead of schedule and physically I feel great," said Johnson, 45. "I know I'm going to wake up tomorrow and feel pretty good."

Johnson's only lapse was what he called a "senior moment" with his split-fingered fastball in the second inning. Using that pitch, he hit Ryan Shealy to open the inning and threw a wild pitch that advanced runners to second and third. That preceded Mitch Maier's run-scoring groundout.

Jonathan Sanchez looked even more impressive, mainly because he has maintained an accelerated throwing regimen to get ready for joining Puerto Rico's team in the World Baseball Classic. Sanchez, who's scheduled to leave on Sunday, became the first Giant to work three innings and allowed three hits while walking none and striking out four. The lone run he allowed was a gift, as left fielder Eugenio Velez lost Mike Aviles' two-out fly ball in the sun for an RBI single.

Other notable developments from the Giants' second consecutive loss:

• Buster Posey pinch-hit in his first exhibition appearance and struck out leading off the ninth inning. Facing Royals right-hander Matt Wright, Posey fell behind on the count 1-2 and patiently laid off a couple of tantalizing breaking pitches before fanning on a 3-2 fastball.

"It was probably a ball. I just chased it," Posey said.

Posey, who drew a large cheer from the Scottsdale Stadium crowd, still appreciated the thrill of the moment.

"That was fun," Posey said.

Said manager Bruce Bochy, "The 3-2 pitch was just a great pitch. But I liked the way he was quiet up there."

• Kevin Frandsen's eighth-inning home run off Tim Hamulack prevented the Giants from enduring a shutout. Golfing a 2-2 split-fingered pitch down the left-field line, Frandsen somehow kept the ball fair.

"I stayed through it, like I've been working with [hitting coach] Carney [Lansford] a ton on," said Frandsen, who's competing with Emmanuel Burriss for the second-base job.

Though Frandsen batted .331 in the Arizona Fall League, he still needs at-bats after missing virtually all of the Giants' 2008 season with an injured left achilles.

Asked about the challenge he faces, Frandsen said, "I think if I keep it [hitting technique] as simple as possible, things will come back quicker."