Tim Lincecum using Giants’ Arizona mound
The Giants have granted Tim Lincecum permission to throw at their complex in Arizona.
For now, the throwing sessions remain private, with Lincecum’s representatives going out of their way keep scouts and team officials away until the 31-year-old free agent is ready to showcase his health and readiness.
A major-league source said Lincecum is throwing at other facilities in the Phoenix area as well.
Lincecum’s representatives have said the pitcher wants to show he is ready to join a rotation now.
The Giants publicly have said they would keep track of the two-time Cy Young Award winner with possible interest in him as a reliever, though believing that he wants to sign with a team that will place him in its rotation.
Whether the Giants’ early-season rotation struggles have changed their thinking on Lincecum remains unclear, although typically this front office is not that reactionary.
Lincecum last appeared in a game June 27, when he was pulled after 12/3 innings against Colorado.
Manager Bruce Bochy sat Hunter Pence for the first time in 2016, leaving only one regular who has started all 16 games:
Angel Pagan, believe it or not, a sign of his good health after injuries cost him 186 games from 2013-15.
Pence said in spring training that he understands the need for days off as he ages and would not fight Bochy as he once did.
Pence batted .206 in the past six games and was 4-for-24 lifetime against Zack Greinke, so Bochy picked a good spot.
Henry Schulman is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer.
The Diamondbacks not only had won 10 of their past 12 games at AT&T Park through Tuesday, they had shut out the Giants in six of the wins.
