Giants pitcher Matt Cain 'iffy' for first start with forearm tightness

San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain had an MRI on his throwing arm after complaining of forearm tightness.

San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain had an MRI on his throwing arm after complaining of forearm tightness and is "iffy" for his scheduled start on Wednesday, manager Bruce Bochy told reporters Monday. 

"If you're asking me, we've got to be concerned," Bochy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "We have been slow-playing him. If the right thing to do is not to let him start, that's what we'll do."

Forearm tightness is a symptom of an injury to the ulnar collateral ligament, but could also be indicative of something less severe.

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Cain, 30, made only 15 starts last season due to injuries. He missed two weeks in May and June with a hamstring injury and underwent season-ending surgery in August to remove bone chips from his elbow. He also had surgery in September to remove bone spurs in his ankle. 

Cain, a three-time All-Star, is the Giants' No. 3 starter, behind Madison Bumgarner and Jake Peavy. Peavy was scratched from his scheduled start Tuesday with a sore back. With the injuries, former Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum, who is expected to pitch primarily out of the bullpen, could be called on to start. 

- Dan Gartland