Chris Haft / MLB.com
The Giants' tender care and feeding of Tim Lincecum extended longer than most people realized.
Lincecum's bullpen session Friday marked the first time this year that he had thrown seriously off a mound. He said he pitched off a mound Monday, although it wasn't a complete throwing regimen. Most pitchers throw off a mound, which places greater strain on an arm, several times before they arrive at Spring Training. But the Giants, who scratched Lincecum for last season's final two weeks to preserve his arm, wanted the 23-year-old to maintain a conservative approach.
Although the Giants have tried not to fret over Lincecum's slender build and whiplike delivery, they might continue to "err on the side of caution," as manager Bruce Bochy said, until the right-hander gains experience and accumulates innings.
"He's a little different," Bochy said.
Lincecum's skill is part of that difference. He lacked control early in Friday's 10-minute session, but fired strikes more regularly toward the end, even with his curveball.
"He's so resilient with his arm," Bochy said. "For him to throw like that -- this was the first time he was letting it go -- he looked free and easy. It was pretty impressive, really, for as long as it's been since he's been off the mound."
Unlike last year, when Lincecum was a novelty and veterans such as Barry Zito and Brad Hennessey stopped by just to watch him throw, he blended in with the other pitchers. Lincecum prefers it this way.
"You don't feel like you're getting more attention than anybody else," he said.
Merkin's back: Merkin Valdez, who missed all of last season after undergoing Tommy John elbow surgery in September 2006, impressed Bochy with his bullpen session.
Bochy, who joined the Giants after the 2006 season, was aware that Valdez tended to get "just a little wild with his delivery." But that's not the pitcher Bochy saw.
"He was good and compact today," Bochy said.
Valdez began trying to regain his form by pitching for Escogido in the Dominican Winter League. In eight games, the right-hander finished 0-1 with a 3.68 ERA while allowing three hits, walking six and striking out four in 7 1/3 innings.
Tyler Walker, who underwent Tommy John surgery in July 2006 and rehabilitated with Valdez last year at extended Spring Training, said that Valdez's brief Dominican experience was essential.
"To get back to pitching was the biggest hurdle," Walker said. "Once that happened, I started to get stronger, just by consistently pitching. That's something he needs to have this spring."
Short hops: Bochy raved about Brian Wilson, the team's projected closer, after the right-hander's throwing session. "Wilson looks like he's ready to go," Bochy said. "He's in great shape. He looks ahead of the game right now." ... Bochy also kept an eye on left-hander Noah Lowry, who missed last season's final month with forearm tightness, and liked what he saw. ... Despite showers Thursday night and Friday, the Giants managed to squeeze in their workout. Skies are supposed to clear Saturday.
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