Tim Lincecum hospitalized with flu symptoms; likely to miss All-Star game
NEW YORK - Tim Lincecum was hospitalized Tuesday with flulike symptoms, and it appeared the San Francisco Giants pitcher was likely to miss his first All-Star game.
Lincecum was taken from his hotel to a Manhattan hospital after feeling ill early in the day, said Katy Feeney, senior vice president in the commissioner's office.
The right-hander was not at his locker between National League starter Ben Sheets and Edinson Volquez about 2 1/2 hours before the scheduled first pitch. His jersey and a Giants hat hung untouched on a hook on the wall as the NL team headed to the field for batting practice.
Giants reliever Brian Wilson said he hadn't spoken to Lincecum, who missed the All-Star Game Red Carpet Parade on Tuesday.
"I think it was just one of those things that just hit him this morning," said Wilson, who was left to ride alone in the back of a pickup truck up Sixth Avenue in Manhattan.
Lincecum was among several pitchers on the NL roster who threw Sunday, giving manager Clint Hurdle a tired group for the Midsummer Classic. Lincecum struck out nine over eight innings to beat fellow All-Star Ryan Dempster and the Cubs.
The 24-year-old Lincecum, 11-2 in his second year with the Giants, leads the major leagues with 135 strikeouts. His 2.57 ERA is fourth best among starters, and he's lost just once in his last 14 starts.