Giants

Tim Lincecum (thumb) feels fine following a home-plate collision during Sunday’s game.

Lincecum suffered a hyperextended left thumb while covering home plate Sunday when A’s outfielder Collin Cowgill knocked him over. He’s wearing a wrap on the thumb, but is permitted to participate in all baseball activities. He should be fine for his next scheduled start Friday against the Marlins.

Giants manager Bruce Bochy decided to play it safe by pulling Tim Lincecum following a home-plate collision on Sunday.

Lincecum hurled a wild pitch in the fourth inning and scurried home to cover the plate. Collin Cowgill slid into home head-first and knocked over Lincecum, who was on his knees to catch a throw from Buster Posey. Lincecum’s left hand and wrist were examined by a trainer and he was allowed to finish the inning. Having already thrown 90 pitches, Bochy pulled him prior to the fifth inning. Lincecum gave up four runs on five hits and three walks, pushing his ERA to 6.04. Though he appears to have escaped without an injury, we’d suggest benching him in mixed formats for the coming week.

Tim Lincecum could make it just four innings in Sunday’s loss to the A’s, allowing four runs on five hits and three walks.

Lincecum fanned five as his ERA climbed back above 6.00 to 6.04. That ugly number accompanies a 1.59 WHIP and 53/25 K/BB ratio compiled through 47 2/3 innings. Perhaps most shocking of all, Lincecum has turned in just one quality start in nine outings. His next chance to get on track will come Friday in Miami. You’re probably best off leaving him benched for that one.