The Rangers formally placed Lincecum (finger) on the 10-day disabled list Thursday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The blister on Lincecum's throwing hand isn't viewed as a major concern, but he's unlikely to be available for the season's first month after he went unsigned until late February, then missed most of Rangers camp due to a personal matter and the finger issue. Manager Jeff Banister said that Keone Kela will have the first opportunity to close for the Rangers, with Kevin Jepsen and Alex Claudio likely ranking second and third in the pecking order for saves, respectively. The cluster of names ahead of him on the depth chart, not to mention the fact that he didn't pitch in 2017, muddles Lincecum's path to fantasy relevance in his return to the majors.

Lincecum (finger) admitted that he will likely need another month before he's fully healthy, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

A blister issue will force Lincecum to open the 2018 season on the disabled list, and likely keep him sidelined from major-league action until the beginning of May. Once he's able to return, Lincecum is expected to serve as a top setup man in the Rangers' bullpen. Expect another update on his status once he's able to get back on the mound.

Lincecum (finger) will open the season on the disabled list, MLB.com's TR Sullivan reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lincecum has been battling a blister issue that forced him to miss his scheduled appearance against the Padres on Friday. The right-hander admitted that he isn't ready to return to the mound just yet, so the Rangers will put him on the shelf for at least 10 days to start the 2018 campaign.

Lincecum (blister) has been scratched from his scheduled appearance Friday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran's spring debut will be further delayed after Lincecum was found to have a blister issue on the middle finger of his pitching hand. The Rangers have yet to reschedule his debut, but with the timing of this blister issue, Lincecum remains unlikely to be ready in time for Opening Day.

Lincecum (personal) will appear in Friday's game against the Padres, TR Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lincecum is set to throw one inning during his spring debut. The right-hander has been dealing with the unexpected death of his brother for the past few weeks, so he hasn't been able to appear in any Cactus League games up to this point. Pitching coach Doug Brocail recently said that he doesn't expect Lincecum to be ready for Opening Day, and manager Jeff Banister reiterated that point yet again Thursday.

Pitching coach Doug Brocail said that he doesn't expect Lincecum (personal) to be ready for Opening Day, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

Despite the tough news, Brocail did say he was impressed with how the veteran hurler looked. Lincecum reportedly exhibited excellent control, Brocail commented, "that [splittler] is nasty." Lincecum may not be ready for the season opener, but it seems like he isn't too far away from being ready for game action.

Lincecum (personal) threw 32 pitches in a line batting practice session Saturday, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Rangers view Lincecum as a bullpen piece, so it wouldn't take much to get himself ready for the start of the regular season. However, that remains an unknown with two weeks of spring training left.

Lincecum (personal) is expected to throw two bullpen sessions this week, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Lincecum is at least a week away from appearing in a game. On his current schedule, Lincecum is not expected to start the season on the active 25-man roster.

Lincecum may not be ready for the start of the regular season, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

He has been grieving the unexpected death of his brother late last month. "Obviously, I got sidelined with some stuff, personal issues, but I'm going to try to get off the mound here pretty soon," Lincecum said Wednesday. The Rangers are preparing contingencies in case Lincecum needs more time beyond spring training. He will pitch out of the bullpen once ready, perhaps as the closer, but Lincecum will need to outperform several capable arms (namely Alex Claudio, Keone Kela and Jake Diekman) to secure the role.

Rangers' general manager Jon Daniels confirmed that Lincecum will work as a reliever, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports.

EDGE Analysis

This confirms the assumption that Lincecum was signed to relieve and is not in consideration for a rotation spot. Lincecum's exact job is not yet determined, but Daniels didn't rule out a late-inning role, meaning that the veteran righty has an outside shot at earning some saves later in the season. Daniels also noted that Lincecum could work his way into the rotation later in the year. In deeper leagues, Lincecum could be worth a flyer in hopes that he ends up as either a starter or a closer in the second half of the year, though for now he's nothing more than a middle reliever who hasn't posted an ERA below 4 since 2011.