SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants left-hander Noah Lowry had another MRI exam on his surgically repaired throwing forearm and won't be pitching any time soon — maybe not at all this season.

"That's questionable," manager Bruce Bochy said today. "We don't know if he will be back on the mound this year. It's fair to say we're getting to that point that it's a fair question."

Lowry was examined yesterday by Dr. Robert Gamburd, the same physician who did some of the pitcher's preliminary tests back in spring training. The 27-year-old Lowry was shut down April 30 for what the team called a significant amount of time, still experiencing tingling in his left forearm that forced him to undergo surgery to repair his nerves in March.

He hasn't pitched this year and is on the 60-day disabled list after arriving at spring training expecting to be a key member of the Giants' rotation. Lowry, who led the Giants with 14 wins last season and has a 40-31 record with a 4.03 ERA in 106 career games, is still feeling "pins and needles" in his forearm and the tingling has moved down toward his hand as part of the healing process.

"This was mostly more of a follow-up to see where he's at. He's making progress, slow progress," athletic trainer Dave Groeschner said. "He has shown some improvement in his symptoms. It's still frustrating for him."

Once Lowry is cleared medically, he would need to begin a basic throwing program of playing light catch, working into longer distances, simulated games and, eventually, making rehab assignments in the minor leagues. There is still no timetable when that might be — or if it will happen at all this year.

While Groeschner isn't ready to tell Lowry he won't pitch this season, but it's becoming more of a long shot as each day, week and month passes. Lowry has done his best to keep his spirits up despite the constant frustrations that his arm isn't healing as quickly as he thought it would.

"He's got to get back to throwing," Groeschner said. "Until he even starts throwing, it's going to be hard to know if he's going to be able to pitch this year. Noah's holding out hope. We're holding out hope. But we want to get him healthy and right first. We're in June already. I wouldn't say he's out for the year yet."

Lowry hasn't thrown since late April when he was shut down, and Groeschner sees no need for him to do so until his symptoms subside.

"When we tried, that didn't work," Groeschner said.