Tim Lincecum’s degenerative hips: Everything you need to know, and what MLB history can tell us, about the injury

May 20, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) pitches during the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Lincecum’s signature delivery is a cause for concern

Timmy’s funky wind-up probably played a big part in him developing this condition, but we’ll never know for sure. What we do know is that it will make his comeback attempt that much more difficult.

If you want a visual, Andrew Baggarly expertly detailed the mechanics behind Lincecum’s delivery—a motion that is undeniably hard on the hips.

There isn’t room in the rotation even if Lincecum recovers

I know I made a jab at Kawakami earlier, but he has a good point on the odds of Timmy starting again this season:

"What are the odds Lincecum makes another start in the middle of a pennant chase now that he’s No. 7 in the pecking order behind Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Jake Peavy, Chris Heston, Tim Hudson and Ryan Vogelsong (who is now in the bullpen) in a five-man rotation?"

The Giants could roll with a six-man roto for a stretch, and Hudson isn’t that much better than Lincecum at this point, but several things would have to fall into place for a 2015 return—even if it was to the bullpen.

Next: On to slide 4