Lincecum out with back injury

[Auggie]

Associated Press, 9-8-9

SAN FRANCISCO -- San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday night against San Diego with inflammation in the lower left side of his back.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said he hopes Lincecum, the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner, will take his next turn in the rotation and will only need a couple of days rest to let the back calm down. That start could be as soon as Sunday against the NL West-leading and archrival Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants began the day two games behind Colorado in the NL wild-card race.

Lincecum was seen by a back specialist on Tuesday and underwent tests. He's also taking anti-inflammatories for the injury and will be re-evaluated later in the week. Bochy isn't sure when the injury happened, but Lincecum mentioned it after the team's flight home Sunday from Milwaukee.

"It was one of those things. It just flared up like they do sometimes. He's a lot better," Bochy said. "He's young. He's not used to this. I'm sure he's disappointed not to be going out there to pitch."

LINK: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4456563
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Hope this isn't major...

[Upton]

1. I saw the news conference with Bochy

he acted like it was no big deal...but anytime a franchise pitcher like Lincecum has an injury problem, it's cause for concern. At least it's not an arm or a shoulder, and we will get to see Bumgarner pitch tonight. Though I question how ready he's going to be... he just flew cross country from Connecticut.

[inthebrain]

2. Really?

Cause for concern eh?

Now why would that be?

[Jack Rabbit]

3. Not good, not good . . .