SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants left-hander Noah Lowry pitched three innings in a simulated game against teammates Tuesday and had no problems. Well, he did have one.

That's when catcher Todd Greene belted a long home run. Both players laughed about the shot afterward, although Lowry wasn't too pleased at the precise moment the ball landed halfway up the left-field stands.

He yelled something that can't be repeated.

"You heard?" said Lowry, ever the competitor, even if it was a simulated outing.

The left-hander, on the disabled list with a strained right oblique muscle, is scheduled to throw for Class A San Jose on Friday at San Jose Municipal Stadium to further test his side.

"We hope he gets two rehab starts -- San Jose and then at [Triple-A] Fresno," said manager Felipe Alou.

Trainer Stan Conte says having Lowry pitch Tuesday was to face real hitters, increasing the intensity.

"We think the intensity is what caused this problem," he said. "Unless he gets tight later on, he'll pass this test."

Lowry says he has been patient, the key to getting better.

"It felt great, and it's just a matter of building up endurance now," he said. "I think today was a big step for us -- anytime you get out there and face live hitters, with the adrenaline going, obviously the level you're throwing at is going to be a lot harder than in a bullpen.

"I was happy with the result -- there was no pain and for the most part I was throwing the ball where I wanted to throw it. I was throwing just as hard as I would in a game, trying to get guys out."

Morris starts Wednesday: Starter Matt Morris, ejected after hitting two batters in the first inning against Colorado, was originally expected to throw in long relief rather than start in the Mets series.

However, Morris is now scheduled to start Wednesday's 12:35 p.m. PT game instead of right-hander Jason Schmidt, now pushed back to Friday's contest vs. Arizona at AT&T Park.

"There's nothing wrong with Schmitty," said Alou. "It could have gone either way."

Wilson won't rush back: Giants right-handed reliever Brian Wilson, who made his Major League debut Sunday -- and strained his left oblique muscle while throwing -- says if it had to happen, it's better at this level.

"It is a lot better than getting hurt in the Minor Leagues -- you can get lost down there," he said. "Two weeks can become six weeks, but up here, I know we're going to do every procedure possible to get me back."

Wilson, 24, received an interventional radiation procedure -- as did Lowry -- which involves a pinpoint injection of cortisone on the injured muscle.

"It doesn't bother me that much," he said of the injury. "I'll be patient. That's all I can do."

While Wilson struck out Jamey Carroll and erased Clint Barmes on a line drive in the seventh inning against the Rockies at Coors Field, he had already felt tweaks in his side, but felt he only had one out to go and then he could sit down.

It happened that way, anyway, but not as planned.

"On the third pitch against [Matt] Holliday, I followed through too much and my fingers hit the ground," said Wilson. "I pulled back a little harder [and felt the strain]."

Holliday then grounded out.

Regarding oblique strains, Conte explained he researched the Giants' Minor League system and said the club had three such injuries over the past three years.

But with Lowry, Wilson and Minor Leaguer Craig Whitaker, there's been three in the past four weeks.

Conte noted the interventional radiation procedure, which utilizes an ultrasound to locate where the strain is, typically is used in the National Football League for quad and hamstring injuries, which leads into the next topic.

Durham better: Second baseman Ray Durham, who irritated a left hamstring tendon Sunday in Colorado, also received a cortisone shot after the special treatment by a radiologist.

"That helped, and it should speed along the process," said Conte. "Ray could pinch-hit tonight [Tuesday]. It's a day-to-day thing, and I wouldn't rule out [Wednesday]."

Coming up: Morris makes his fourth start of the season Wednesday, facing the Mets in a 12:35 p.m. PT contest. He'll oppose right-hander Brian Bannister.