Lincecum gets unconditional release

ARLINGTON, Texas — Tim Lincecum won’t be making a major-league comeback with the Rangers, who had signed the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner during spring training with plans for him to be a reliever.

The Rangers granted Lincecum his unconditional release Tuesday after the end of his 30-day rehab assignment at Triple-A Round Rock.

“Despite best intentions and a lot of hard work, we just didn’t feel that it was the right move to bring him up right now,” general manager Jon Daniels said. “He was throwing OK (but was) still kind of inconsistent with his command.

“We just were not of the mindset that it was going to be an upgrade on our relievers. Our bullpen’s been very, very good.”

A three-time World Series champion with the Giants, Lincecum, who will turn 34 on June 15, hasn’t pitched in the majors since August 2016 with the Angels. He went 2-6 with a 9.16 ERA in nine starts after undergoing hip surgery in September 2015.

After Lincecum during an offseason impressed tryout for scouts, the Rangers signed him, but he developed a blister on his right middle finger and began the season on the disabled list.

In 10 appearances for Round Rock, Lincecum had a 5.68 ERA with 10 strikeouts and nine walks in 122⁄3 innings.

“We took a calculated risk in spring training based on what we had seen,” Daniels said.

Daniels said he had spoken with Lincecum and described him as being appreciative of the opportunity.

“I think he’s planning on heading back to the West Coast and continuing to work,” Daniels said.