SAN FRANCISCO: San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum was scratched from his Scottsdale start on Saturday after a blister on his right middle finger forced him off the mound. In his stead, Yusmeiro Petit will take the starting role. Lincecum has constantly had to deal with such blisters throughout his career. It reportedly affects his ability to throw sliders and curveballs. Last spring he said that it was a big problem was 2009. When a reporter reminded him he won a Cy Young that season, he smiled and said, “I did, didn't I?" But these blisters can be difficult to fix when you have to pitch consistently. A blister derailed Santiago Casilla's run as closer last summer. “It's not too terrible. It's just hot and sensitive like it gets here. I'll just play it day by day and see how it feels. I don't want to complicate the issue and make it worse. I don't want it to be anything that will keep me from the season." Lincecum skipped his between-starts bullpen session Thursday and played catch, which he will do again today. BN
