Andrew Baggarly: Pre-FanFest News & Notes

August 23, 2013; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40, center) receives a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Righetti (33, left) and catcher Buster Posey (28, right) during the eighth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT

Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area is full of goodies and tidbits today, as players are arriving at AT&T Park for tomorrow’s FanFest.

In addition to Pablo Sandoval not coming to fanfest (due to an injury in the Venezuelan league), pitchers Madison Bumgarner and newly acquired Tim Hudson will be no-shows as well. But for good reason. And really, how often do you get to use the phrase “snowed in in Atlanta?”

Giants trainer Dave Groeschner hasn’t actually seen Sandoval since the season ended. While he has seemed to look like he’s in better shape, we won’t know until Spring Training.

Hudson is expected to be fine from last year’s gruesome season-ending injury, and will throw off the mound come Spring Training, but the Giants are going to take his progress slow.

Marco Scutaro had surgery on his jacked up finger, and it appears to be successful as he is pain free. The Giants are optimistic, but will take things slow with him as well.

Buster Posey is doing the most Buster Posey thing ever: Staying silent on the new home plate collision rules.

Bronson Arroyo will not be a Giant. At least for the foreseeable future.

Well,  this doesn’t sound anything like confidence at all…and is a little discerning for fans.

Sabean expects to avoid arbitration with Brandon Belt and get a 1 year done, work on extension during spring. That at least some good news.

Tim Lincecum wants to learn how to throw Hudson’s sinker ball.

Bruce Bochy is under pressure to stay above .500 in his career. Timmy to the rescue?

And, if you ever see Brian Sabean out in a restaurant, send over some crab and bison.