Atomic RoadRunners

Tim Lincecum admitted Saturday that he has felt a bit out of rhythm this spring. Lincecum got in some work on the mound in a minor-league warmup against the Angels on Saturday. The NL Cy Young winner, trying to improve his mechanics, allowed one run on five hits and struck out six in five innings. Although Lincecum has a 3.78 ERA in five regular spring training appearances, he said he still felt a little uncomfortable in his windup. “I can’t emphasize it enough, the rhythm thing,” Lincecum said. “I just haven’t found a consistent track to keep holding onto that rhythm. It’s a little frustrating, but I’m glad I got a little bit more time before the season starts.” Pitching coach Dave Righetti monitored Lincecum’s outing. “When he is in the stretch, he’s a little more comfortable than when he is in the windup,” Righetti said. “It’s something pitchers go through every spring.” San Francisco held Lincecum out of the team’s Cactus League game against San Diego on Saturday because he could face the Padres twice in the first three weeks of the regular season. Lincecum is scheduled to start the first game of the Bay Area series against Oakland on Thursday before facing Milwaukee in the Giants’ regular-season opener April 7 at AT&T Park. Inconsistency is usual for pitchers during spring training, even the best, so don’t worry about Lincecum finding his form. He was a monster last season, leading all of baseball in strikeouts, so consider him one of the elite pitchers in Fantasy, draftable as early as the second round. While a 3.78 spring ERA isn’t bad, it definitely isn’t of the norm for Lincecum. “I can’t emphasize the rhythm thing enough,” he said. “I can’t find a consistent track of finding my rhythm. It’s frustrating, but I feel like I have more time before the season starts.” Lincecum has one minor league game left to figure things out. He might also fit in a few side sessions. (CBS Sports, Rotowire)