San Francisco Giants rumor roundup: Latest OF trade chatter (Gomez/Upton), Pagan’s starting status, Greinke FA pursuit and Lincecum’s last stand

May 25, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; San Francisco Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) waits for umpires to decide Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Khris Davis (not pictured) touched home plate after hitting a home run in the first inning at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

Clock is ticking on Tim Lincecum decision

Update: Monday, July 20 at 8 p.m. PST

Lincecum’s return will be further delayed by a degenerative hip issue, according to CSN Bay Area’s Alex Pavlovic. While discouraging, the timing is actually good for Lincecum in the sense that Tim Hudson, Jake Peavy, Chris Heston or any of the bullpen guys could leave the door open for him with a string of bad outings.

—End of update—

The Giants managed to make room for Tim Hudson by moving Ryan Vogelsong to the bullpen, but the fate of the former face of the franchise remains uncertain. As I wrote in another article last week:

"With a crowded rotation and a bullpen without any glaring weak spots, the real question is whether Lincecum will have a place on the Giants’ roster whenever he’s able to go. Barring another injury, The Freak show may have already reached its end in San Francisco."

I may have been a little shortsighted there given everything Lincecum’s done for the Giants over the years. After giving it some more thought, Josh Osich or Yusmeiro Petit could theoretically be sent down to make room for the former Cy Young Award winner. If either of those things happen, though, expect this bullpen stint to be Lincecum’s last stand.

If neither of those things happen…well, chances are you will be seeing Lincecum in another uniform this summer.