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SALT LAKE CITY — Former two-time Cy Young Award winner and four-time All-Star Tim Lincecum pitched like one Sunday night, albeit in the minors.
Aside from back-to-back doubles to lead off the second inning, the Salt Lake pitcher was outstanding — scattering four hits and allowing one run while striking out five in seven innings. Of his 96 pitches, 61 were strikes, and the righty said he felt he was able to use his offspeed pitches effectively.
“I kind of mixed and matched with my offspeed (pitches),” Lincecum said after the game. “I went to it a lot today with my curveball and my slider — fastball location wasn’t exactly there all game, but I made some pitches when I needed to and my team played great defense behind me.”
He eventually ended the night with a no-decision as the Bees defeated Las Vegas 4-3 in 11 innings.
But even after his strong outing, Lincecum left the mound unsure if he’ll throw another pitch this season. In fact, perhaps the only thing certain is that it was his last start in a Bees uniform this year, as the team’s season ends Monday.
Lincecum entered Sunday just one of a handful on the Bees roster currently on the Angels’ 40-man roster. MLB rosters expanded from 25 to 40 Sept. 1 through the end of the regular season, which means Lincecum is eligible to return to the Angels without corresponding action to the roster.
However, the righty said the Angels' front office hadn’t informed him as of Sunday night if he will be brought back to Los Angeles for the final few weeks of the regular season — not that it means he won’t end up with the big league club.
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Lincecum wins in return to majors, pitches Angels past A's
The uniform is different. The flowing locks of shaggy brown hair that once protruded from his cap are gone. He's lost a little zip off his fastball, too. Even so, "The Freak" came back as a force.Though it’s not the ideal situation for a baseball player to be in, Lincecum said he understands.
“It’s different, but I wouldn’t say it’s difficult just because this year has been a grind all together anyway,” Lincecum said, about not knowing what his baseball future holds. “I’ll just try to take it as it comes.”
After coming off a hip surgery that ended his 2015 campaign and inevitability his time in San Francisco, Lincecum signed a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels in May. He started three games with Salt Lake, Los Angeles’ Triple-A affiliate, before the Angels called him up in June.
However, the righty struggled in Los Angeles. He posted a 2-6 record and 9.16 ERA in nine starts before the Angels designated him for assignment on Aug. 6. He eventually cleared waivers and accepted a second stint with the Bees where he finished 0-3 with a 3.76 ERA in seven starts over his two stints with the team.
No matter what happens next, Lincecum said he still intends on improving his fastball location, as he said he is aware it’s something he needs to accomplish to reach the level he was once at in the majors.
“Fastball location is going to be the one key that, I think, all people want to talk about just because it’s the one thing all pitchers need if they’re going to be pitching in the big leagues,” Lincecum said. “If I start getting that back, I think I’ll be fine.”
As for returning to the majors this season, Lincecum said he doesn’t plan on dwelling on the Angels’ decision, instead focusing on what he can do for whenever his return to the mound might be.
“I’ll just prepare for as if maybe getting called up,” he said, “but if not, I’ll just have to prepare for the offseason.”
