Lincecum (0-1) took the loss to the Rockies on Wednesday, surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits while striking out four and walking one over five innings. Lincecum got off to a poor start, surrendering a three-run shot on an 0-2 changeup to Nolan Arenado. He settled down after that, holding the Rockies to just four hits in his final four innings before being lifted for a pinch hitter. His fastball clocked in around 88 MPH, which is a couple ticks slower than it was last season. With the decreased velocity, Lincecum has shown improved control early in the year, naturally walking just two batters (two intentional walks) through 12 innings. He is still striking batters out with his plus changeup, so he may have value in deeper leagues so long as he continues to control the free passes. His next start comes at home against the Dodgers next Tuesday.

Lincecum threw seven shutout innings Friday, but didn't get a decision in a 1-0 loss to the Padres. He allowed four hits and three walks, while striking out five in the outing. Lincecum's troubles have been well-documented over the past few years, so his leash will be short if he proves ineffective in the rotation. His days as a dominant starter are over, but this outing, following a decent spring, could be a sign that he is ready to reinvent himself and become more effective without his old fastball.

Lincecum (neck) made his return to the mound Saturday and tossed four innings of one-run ball, but failed to strike any batters out for the first time this spring. After a shaky first inning, Lincecum settled down and retired 10 of the final 11 batters he faced. The lack of strikeouts were uncharacteristic, but Lincecum said his neck felt fine after the game and doesn't view it as an issue going forward. He will start the season as the Giants' fifth starter and has some strikeout appeal for fantasy owners; however, Lincecum shouldn't be viewed as more than a back-of-the-rotation option given his lack of consistency over the past few years.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Lincecum (neck) will not pitch again until March 21, but Bochy still thinks the right-hander can be ready by Opening Day, Carl Steward of the Bay Area News Group reports. Lincecum now has a timetable to return but may be in some danger of missing his first start. He'll likely open the season as San Francisco's fifth starter, lining his first outing up for Apr. 10 in San Diego.

Lincecum (neck) will play catch for the second time in three days Sunday, but has not timetable for pitching in a game, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Lincecum's stiff neck started earlier in the week, seemingly effecting his last outing. He's expected to begin the season in the rotation, but a long absence could change things to begin the season.

There has been no improvement with Lincecum's sore neck, but the Giants are just taking it day by day, the San Francisco Chronicle's John Shea reports. Manager Bruce Bochy said the team is hoping Lincecum's status will improve Sunday, but it seems possible he could be out through next week. With that said, he should not be highly thought of in fantasy leagues anyway. Should Lincecum prove unable to take the ball the first time through the rotation, the Giants would likely attempt to stretch out Ryan Vogelsong.

Lincecum has received treatment for a stiff neck, Andrew Baggarly of CSN Bay Area reports. Lincecum attempted to pitch through the pain, but allowed three runs in his lone inning of work in Wednesday's Cactus League game against the Brewers. It could cost the 30-year-old some time, but at this point he should be considered day-to-day.

Lincecum is expected to begin 2015 in the starting rotation, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.While manager Bruce Bochy didn't discuss the issue directly, he reportedly discussed stretching out Ryan Vogelsong and Yusmeiro Petit so they can start "if needed," effectively making Lincecum the fifth starter in the Giants rotation. He began last season a middle member of the rotation, but his numbers warranted a move to the bullpen in late August, and he struggled through the final month of the regular season in that role as well. He finished the campaign with a 12-9 record with a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP, but saw another drop in his fastball velocity, dipping below 90 MPH on average for the first time in his career. It appears the Giants will give Lincecum another chance at a rotation spot in 2015, but with Vogelsong and Petit likely available to take the spot, his leash probably won't be as long as it was in 2014.

Lincecum is currently positioned to begin 2015 as a member of the Giants' rotation, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. In the second-year of a two-year, $35 million deal with the Giants, the trade market is understandably limited for Lincecum at the present time. Further, the Giants' limited depth in the rotation may simple necessitate keeping Lincecum in the mix as a starter, although the team's pursuit of Jon Lester and the potential return of a healthy Matt Cain could ultimately leave Lincecum in a competition with Yusmeiro Petit for the fifth starter role this spring.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Thursday that he expects Lincecum to return to the rotation in 2015, Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com reports. "[Lincecum], I see him going back in the rotation," Bochy said. "We have a need there. That's fair to say." Lincecum took another step back in 2014, posting a 4.74 ERA and 1.39 WHIP over 155.2 innings, but it sounds like the Giants plan to get the most out of the $18 million they'll be paying him next season. The right-hander continued to struggle after transitioning to the bullpen in August, with a 5.73 ERA in 11 appearances, but a move back to the bullpen could still be an option if Lincecum struggles or a more viable option emerges during spring training.