SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Lance Niekro still reaches for the phone to dial his dad, nearly four months after former major league pitcher Joe Niekro died of a brain aneurysm at age 61.

It’s so natural for him to do so. They were constantly in touch during spring training and the season, and his father would provide advice and show up for a few days early in camp to watch his son with the San Francisco Giants.

“My dad was the guy I talked to pretty much every day,” Niekro said Friday, sitting in the dugout before he had to take the field. “He was pretty much my best friend. It’s good to get back on the field and be around the guys and get playing again, but it’s also tough because my dad’s the guy I would talk to.”

It took Niekro more than a month to find the motivation to resume his offseason regimen, which was an important step for a first baseman who is out of options and will have a tough time making the Giants’ roster this year.

While Niekro knows his immediate baseball future is uncertain, everything he went through this winter has changed his perspective on what is worth worrying about and what is out of his control.

It has been nice for Niekro to be near his older sister, Natalie Niekro-Woosley, who lives within walking distance of Scottsdale Stadium, where the Giants train. Their dad had been fitted for a tux for her Dec. 9 wedding only hours before the aneurysm Oct. 26. He died the following day in Florida.

Houston’s career victory leader and a two-time 20-game winner, Niekro compiled a franchise-record 144 victories in 11 seasons for the Astros.

“Lance knows Dad is going to be with him every step of the way,” Natalie said.

“He was nervous to get back on the field. He really worked hard this offseason. He’s got confidence, and Dad will be right on his shoulder.”

Niekro struggled last season after starting at first base on opening day. When he hit a solo homer Sept. 30, it was his first longball since May 30 at Florida — a span of 87 at-bats.

Niekro was optioned to Triple-A Fresno in mid-July and he has been on the disabled list three times over the past two years. His most recent trip to the DL was with a strained groin.

He was batting .249 with four homers and 29 RBIs — and in an 8-for-45 slump (.178) — when the Giants sent him down. Niekro missed two weeks in June with his groin injury, and sat out 10 days in May with shoulder bursitis.

This offseason, the Giants decided they could no longer rely on Niekro and brought back Rich Aurilia to play first. Ryan Klesko and Mark Sweeney also fill in at that spot.

After the year he had, Niekro understands why the Giants had to find a consistent performer. He knows his days with this club could be numbered and that his name has been mentioned in trade rumors for almost a year.

“My goal is to make this team,” he said. “If I’m traded, so be it. If I go back to Triple-A, I’ll go.”

Niekro also has been receiving some welcome support from former Giants first baseman and now instructor J.T. Snow, whose father Jack, a star wide receiver for the St. Louis Rams from 1965-75 and a longtime team broadcaster, died at 62 in January 2006. His death also was relatively sudden, as Snow had been hospitalized on and off for two months with a staph infection.

“For anyone who loses a dad, it’s tough,” Snow said. “For us as athletes, it’s losing a dad who also played at the highest level and taught us everything. We both lost our dads at way too young an age.”

For the Niekros, it’s been one thing after another. Their mom’s dad died last spring, then their grandmother on the same side died last month.

“You always hear people say ‘I’ll take care of it tomorrow,”’ Niekro said. “There are certain things that can’t wait. Telling your family members you love them when you get off the phone, it makes you realize you’ve got to do it because it could be the last time you talk to them.”