Eugenio Velez recently became the second Giant to leave the Arizona Fall League early with a mild injury. His reputation, however, remains healthy.

Bobby Evans, the Giants' director of player personnel, said Tuesday that Velez sustained a "small fracture" in his right wrist. That's the same wrist Velez bruised during a March collision with teammate Nate Schierholtz, which forced the slender 24-year-old to miss the season's first seven weeks.

The ailment isn't expected to jeopardize Velez's participation in Spring Training.

"We stabilized it. He should be fine," Evans said.

Last month, first baseman Dan Ortmeier broke a finger in his right hand while diving for a ground ball, ending his Fall League season after six games.

Velez made the most of his 17-game AFL stint, hitting .303 with one home run and nine RBIs for the Scottsdale Scorpions. As he did in last season's final month with the Giants, he showcased his breathtaking speed by stealing 14 bases in 15 tries. Velez also displayed room for improvement, striking out 17 times in 76 at-bats.

Velez may lack a little polish, but his skills fit the "small ball" offensive approach the Giants have talked of adopting. He'll certainly receive a long look in Spring Training, though he still must find a position. He played second base in the AFL after switching to the outfield during the regular season. The Giants are willing to consider all options with Velez, an Eastern League All-Star last season with Double-A Connecticut.

"He can move quickly into a big league situation," Evans said. "Whatever position will get him here the fastest and keep him here the longest is where we'll go."

No Candlestick return: Although the Giants will spend much of 2008 reviving their past as the franchise observes the 50th anniversary of its move to San Francisco, playing a game at Candlestick Park isn't part of the plan.

Unlike the Dodgers, who announced plans to stage an exhibition at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for old times' sake, the Giants won't return to the place they called home from 1960-99, with the infamously treacherous winds and impossibly tall light towers.

"As much as that would be nostalgic, I think that we probably will figure out other ways to celebrate our 50th anniversary," said Larry Baer, the Giants' executive vice president and chief operating officer.

The Giants spent their first two San Francisco seasons in vanished Seals Stadium before moving to Candlestick, which is officially called Monster Park as the home of the NFL's 49ers.

San Jose upgrades: The San Jose City Council recently approved a five-year lease extension to keep the Giants' high Class A affiliate playing at Municipal Stadium through the 2013 season.

One of the most significant elements of the extension allows the club to sell ballpark naming rights. All funds generated by the naming rights agreement will be used to finance improvements to the park, which have long been necessary.

Smooth skating: You, too, can glide across AT&T Park's infield like Omar Vizquel.

The park will be open to the public for ice skating beginning Saturday through Dec. 9. A 60-foot by 120-foot rink is being constructed on the infield in a diagonal position from home plate to second base.

Prompting the appearance of the rink is Aflac's Brian Boitano Skating Spectacular, starring Barry Manilow, at the park on Dec. 5.

Skating hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. The rink will be closed Dec. 2-5 and 7-8. Daily admission, including skate rental, is $20 for adults and $15 for children 14 and younger.