Lincecum has received treatment for a stiff neck, Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area reports.

Lincecum attempted to pitch through the pain, but allowed three runs in his lone inning of work in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. It could cost the 30-year-old some time, but at this point he should be considered day-to-day.

Lincecum is expected to begin 2015 in the starting rotation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

While manager Bruce Bochy didn't discuss the issue directly, he reportedly discussed stretching out Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmeiro Petit so they can start "if needed," effectively making Lincecum the fifth starter in the Giants rotation. He began last season a middle member of the rotation, but his numbers warranted a move to the bullpen in late August, and he struggled through the final month of the regular season in that role as well. He finished the campaign with a 12-9 record with a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, but saw another drop in his fastball velocity, dipping below 90 MPH on average for the first time in his career. It appears the Giants will give Lincecum another chance at a rotation spot in 2015, but with Vogelsong and Petit likely available to take the spot, his leash probably won't be as long as it was in 2014.

Lincecum is currently positioned to begin 2015 as a member of the Giants' rotation, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

In the second-year of a two-year, $35 million deal with the Giants, the trade market is understandably limited for Lincecum at the present time. Further, the Giants' limited depth in the rotation may simple necessitate keeping Lincecum in the mix as a starter, although the team's pursuit of Jon Lester and the potential return of a healthy Matt Cain could ultimately leave Lincecum in a competition with Yusmeiro Petit for the fifth starter role this spring.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that he expects Lincecum to return to the rotation in 2015, Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports. "[Lincecum], I see him going back in the rotation," Bochy said. "We have a need there. That's fair to say."

Lincecum took another step back in 2014, posting a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 155.2 innings, but it sounds like the Giants plan to get the most out of the $18 million they'll be paying him next season. The right-hander continued to struggle after transitioning to the bullpen in August, with a 5.73 ERA in 11 appearances, but a move back to the bullpen could still be an option if Lincecum struggles or a more viable option emerges during spring training.

Lincecum (back) will be available for Game 3 of the World Series, Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area reports.

Lincecum exited Wednesday's Game 2 with a lower back injury, but after undergoing an MRI and playing catch, he'll be ready if needed. There still could be some hesitancy to call upon him though, but he's an option nonetheless.

Lincecum was spotted playing catch with the strength coach Thursday, Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News reports.

Lincecum exited Game 2 of the World Series Wednesday with the back injury and was scheduled for an MRI Thursday. It appears the MRI came back with good results, but a team doctor and the head athletic trainer Dave Groeschner were looking on while he did it, meaning the team is still probably determining whether they will allow him to pitch again this series.

Lincecum (back) will undergo an MRI on his lower back Thursday, John Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Lincecum departed Wednesday's Game 2 loss in the eight inning after throwing a pitch and feeling tightness in his lower back. The MRI will ultimately determine his status going forward, but it's possible he could be replaced on the roster if the injury turns out to be anything serous. George Kontos, Juan Gutierrez and Erik Cordier could all be potential replacements if Lincecum does, indeed, need to be replaced. For what it's worth, manager Bruce Bochy was encouraged by how Lincecum threw - he retired all five batters he faced - and said after the game that he "[thinks] he'll be fine."

Lincecum exited Wednesday's World Series game with lower back tightness.

Further details of the setback were not provided. Lincecum threw the ball well Wednesday and likely earned himself some innings over the rest of the Series, but it remains to be seen if he will be able to pitch again before next season.

Lincecum was removed from Wednesday's World Series game with an apparent injury.

Lincecum threw 1.2 perfect innings before being forced from the game. It's not exactly clear what type of injury he is dealing with, but expect an update on his status as more details become available.

Lincecum picked up his 12th win of the season Sunday, throwing two innings of shutout relief against the Padres.

It has been an up-and-down season for the former Cy Young award winner. He continued to pitch with less velocity on his pitches than he had during his early years, but he showed flashes of brilliance, such as his second no-hitter in as many seasons. In the end, Lincecum's inconsistency on the mound led to him being demoted to the bullpen down the stretch, where he will stay for the Giants' post-season run. Even though he finished the 2014 season in the pen, it would be hard to imagine the Giants not giving him a shot to start in 2015 considering the large contract they gave him last offseason.

Lincecum surrendered five runs on seven hits over three innings of relief in Saturday's loss to the Dodgers.

Lincecum was asked to enter the game in the second inning after Tim Hudson was lit up by the Dodgers. He didn't fare much better than his predecessor, getting hit hard by the Giants' divisional foe. Lincecum has made three appearances since being demoted to the bullpen, and the results have not been positive (10.50 ERA). Yusmiero Petit has been pitching relatively well since replacing Lincecum in the rotation, so it appears that Lincecum will remain in the long relief role for the near future.

Lincecum will remain in the bullpen for the time being, CSN Bay Area reports.

Manager Bruce Bochy announced that Yusmiero Petit will stick in the rotation after his brilliant performance Thursday. This obviously keeps Lincecum in the bullpen unless one of the Giants' starters goes down with an injury. Reports say that pitching coach Dave Righetti has been pleased with Lincecum's form out of the pen. He has yet to be used as a reliever, but that should come sooner rather than later after almost a week off from game action.

Lincecum will be passed over for Thursday's start against the Rockies in favor of Yusmeiro Petit, Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He'll be available out of the bullpen Thursday.

The move doesn't come as a major surprise after manager Bruce Bochy indicated the team would reevaluate its rotation plans after Lincecum was tagged for six runs in 2.2 innings in his most recent turn Saturday vs. the Nationals. It's been established for some time that the two-time Cy Young winner in on the downside of his career, and he'll likely prove to be a much better asset out of the bullpen rather than in a starting role at this point. The Giants haven't closed the door on Lincecum returning to the rotation, but such a change would likely occur only if Petit bombs during his next couple of starts.

After Lincecum was pounded for six runs (four earned) over 2.2 innings Saturday against the Nationals, manager Bruce Bochy was non-commital when asked if the right-hander would take the ball for his next scheduled turn, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. "This is something we need to talk about internally, what our best option is," Bochy said. "We'll look at it and see what the best thing is for Timmy and for us the next time around."

Saturday's disaster marked the second-shortest start of Lincecum's career, and was the fifth time in his last six outings that he failed to pitch at least six innings. With the Giants fighting tooth and nail to secure a playoff spot, Bochy may have no choice but to hand a starting job to Yusmeiro Petit, while letting Lincecum reprise the high-leverage relief ace role that he filled with great success during the team's 2012 World Series run.

Lincecum was atrocious Saturday, surrendering six runs -- four of them earned -- on 70 pitches in just 2.2 innings of work against the Nationals. The loss dropped his record to 10-9 on the season.

"The Freak" also issued four free passes, bringing his BB:K to 62:130 in 145.1 innings this year. Saturday's disastrous outing puts Lincecum's next start in serious jeopardy, so owners who have clung to the righty should pay close attention to manager Bruce Bochy and his decisions related to the Giants' rotation in the coming days.

Lincecum allowed two runs on seven hits and four walks while striking out two in five innings to get the win in the Giants' 5-2 win over the Phillies on Sunday.

Lincecum threw just 57 strikes in the outing and walked the most batters in a start since July 6. However, he stranded 10 Phillies batters to keep them at two runs. It was his best start since July 11, when he shut out the Diamondbacks.

Lincecum was tagged for seven hits and six earned runs over 3.1 innings by Kansas City on Sunday. He walked three and punched out two.

Lincecum has had only one decent start over his last four assignments. The right-hander has lasted only 17 innings in that span, while allowing 23 hits and 20 earned runs. With the Giants off twice this coming week, Lincecum won't pitch again until Sunday in a home encounter with Philadelphia.

Lincecum pitched six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits and one walk, while striking out eight batters in picking up a no-decision in the Giants loss to the Brewers on Tuesday.

Although he got a no-decision Tuesday, it was nice to see Lincecum rebound with a quality outing after two sub-par performances�where he allowed 11 runs in his last two starts (spanning just 7.2 innings). Lincecum has been up and down for most of the year and now owns a 4.22 ERA, 1.3O WHIP and 124:51 K:BB ratio in 134.1 innings this season. His next start is scheduled for Sunday on the road against the Royals.

Lincecum was knocked around for five runs on five hits, including two home runs, and issued three walks in 3.1 innings versus the Pirates on Wednesday.

Lincecum had no command in this one, needing 78 pitches to get through 3.1 innings, but his team got him off the hook with a comeback win. The 30-year-old has coughed up 11 runs over his last two starts since notching his first career save July 22. This after six consecutive quality starts, beginning with his no-hitter June 25. Lincecum will try to get back on track Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Tim Lincecum allowed five runs on five hits -- including two home runs -- over 3 1/3 innings Wednesday in a no-decision against the Pirates.

Lincecum has gotten rocked his last two times out, but the home runs are especially concerning -- before Wednesday, Lincecum had allowed just two home runs over his previous nine starts. They accounted for four of the Pirates' five runs against him, and he also walked three in the abbreviated start. He was spared the loss in the outing, so he'll remain 9-7 with a 4.21 ERA heading into Tuesday's start at the Brewers.