Giants' Tim Lincecum expected to make next start after getting hit by comebacker

Tim Lincecum was in obvious pain after being hit by a comebacker on Friday night. (Jeff Chiu/Getty Images)

Giants starter Tim Lincecum was hit in the left knee on a liner back to the mound from the A's Daric Barton on Friday night, but the two-time NL Cy Young Award winner is expected to make his first scheduled start of the regular season, according to the Associated Press.

The 29-year-old will be San Francisco's fourth starter, which means his first start will come in Arizona on Thursday.

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Lincecum walked through the clubhouse on Saturday without a noticeable limp and rode a stationary bike before the Giants' final exhibition game.

After two subpar seasons, Lincecum is looking to get back to his Cy Young form. He was an All-Star every year from 2008-11, with an average season of 16-9 with a 2.81 ERA. But the last two years, he was a combined 20-29 with a 4.76 ERA.

One constant has been his health, as he's made at least 32 starts for six straight seasons.

But Lincecum was in obvious pain after getting hit in the fourth inning on Friday. He tried to run toward first base but immediately fell and was unable to put pressure on his left leg.

X-rays were negative.

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