SCOTTSDALE -- Tim Lincecum will not be a Giant this season. But he also will not be a Dodger.
After an early-morning report that Lincecum was down to the Dodgers and Rangers, he apparently has chosen to go to the American League West two seasons after a comeback attempt with the Angels. The Rangers deal was first reported by Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports and Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports. Per Passan, Lincecum could return to the bullpen, and he has a "good shot" at being the Rangers' closer.
"I think Timmy would be good at it, I do," manager Bruce Bochy said when told his former star might move to the bullpen. "He's so resilient and he gives you multiple innings and he can face lefties or righties. I think that would be a role that fits him, too. He's got that versatility. I know it doesn't take him long to warm up because I've seen it."
Lincecum has never regularly served as a reliever during the regular season, but he had a memorable run out of the bullpen in 2012, helping the Giants win their second World Series title in three years.
Lincecum has never pitched a regular season game in Arlington either, but he faced the Rangers there in Game 5 of the 2010 World Series, giving up one run and three hits in eight innings while striking out 10.
The Rangers don't visit AT&T Park until August 24, but their first road trip starts in Oakland. If Lincecum is on their roster, he'll return to the Bay Area on April 2 for a four-game series with the A's. Lincecum's last comeback also started at the Coliseum; he made his Angels debut against the A's on June 18, 2016.
