Tim Lincecum may no longer hold a prominent position in the starting rotation for the San Francisco Giants, but his apparent injury during Game 2 of the World Series on Wednesday was a certain cause for concern. Lincecum’s back appears to be OK, however, after MRI results came back negative and showed no structural damage.
Lincecum is expected to be available for the remainder of the series, according to ESPN’s Jim Caple.
Wednesday’s game had already gotten out of hand for the Giants when they turned to Lincecum to start the bottom of the 7th inning. Jake Peavy watched the wheels fall off once he reached the 6th and a parade of four Giants relievers were necessary to get the team through the frame. Lincecum was making his first appearance in nearly three weeks and promptly retired the first five batter that he’d face – including two of the best hitters in the Royals lineup, inducing a ground ball against Lorenzo Cain and striking out Eric Hosmer.
Once he left the game with tightness in his lower back, however, plenty of questions were raised. Lincecum appeared to be in real discomfort as he walked off the mound and into the clubhouse.
Lincecum pitched 155.1 IP on the season, the lowest total of his career aside from his rookie season. He finished with a 4.74 ERA, 1.394 WHIP, and a career-low 7.7 K/9 while making 33 appearances (25 starts). In late August the team pulled him from the rotation, citing a lack of consistency from their former ace.