Tim Lincecum MRI shows no damage, ready for Game 3
Lincecum recorded five outs in relief in Game 2, including two by strikeout.
Jamie Squire
San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum should be ready to pitch if needed in Game 3 of the World Series after an MRI on Thursday showed no structural damage in his back, per a report from the Associated Press.
Lincecum left Wednesday night's Game 2 against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City in the eighth inning after feeling lower back tightness on a pitch to Alex Gordon. Lincecum, in his first game action since Sept. 28, retired all five batters he faced, including two by strikeout.
“I think with the long layoff it showed that he continued to work in the bullpen. He had a great session three days ago, so he showed good command. He looked comfortable out there,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters on Thursday. “I was glad I was able to get him out there and get him some work. I know he has to feel good about that outing. I know we do, so he could play a bigger role now if he’s healthy.”
Earlier Thursday, Lincecum said his back was improving after the long flight from Kansas City to San Francisco, where the two teams will play the next three games.
“I’ll get some treatment and see where it takes me,” Lincecum told reporters, per Ron Kroichick and Steve Kroner of the San Francisco Chronicle. “I feel better than yesterday.”
Lincecum was 12-9 with a 4.74 ERA in the regular season, with 134 strikeouts and 63 walks in 155⅔ innings. He was removed from the staring rotation in August, and in his final six appearances — all in relief — the right-hander was 2-0 with a 6.10 ERA with four strikeouts and a walk in 10⅓ innings.
Lincecum was 9-3 with a 3.91 at AT&T Park in 2014, and was 3-6 with a 6.02 ERA on the road.
Game 3 of the World Series starts at 8:07 p.m. ET on Friday night, and will be televised by FOX.
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