Giants injury update: Tim Lincecum's season is over

Despite initial optimism that Tim Lincecum might be able to return this season, that hope is no longer realistic.

Bobby Evans said on @KNBR this morning that Lincecum done for the year. Also, Heston to start tomorrow in Denver. #sfgiants

— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) September 3, 2015

On July 20th, it was revealed that Lincecum had seen a specialist in Tennessee to examine the diminutive right-hander's hips. Unfortunately, the "exam found 'degenerative stuff'", which immediately raised the possibility that Lincecum's season was over. He'd been throwing bullpen sessions every so often, but due to a lack of progress, the Giants have decided to shut him down for the rest of the year.

Lincecum is a free agent at the end of the 2015 season, and it's possible that he's thrown his last pitch as a member of the Giants. However Alex Pavlovic writes that there could be a desire on both sides to stick together.

Also wouldn't automatically assume Timmy is done with Giants. He'll need somewhere to rehab, both sides still like each other.

— Alex Pavlovic (@AlexPavlovic) September 3, 2015

If this is the end of Lincecum's career with the Giants, he'll finish with a record of 108-83, an ERA of 3.61, an FIP of 3.36, and 1,704 strikeouts in 1,643 innings. He captured two Cy Young awards, authored two no-hitters, and helped the Giants break their 50-year championship drought. He quickly became one of the most beloved figures in his franchise's history, and will undoubtedly be missed if this is the end.