SAN FRANCISCO -- The Giants are preparing for the arrival of Triple-A fireballer Tim Lincecum for a "Sunday Night Baseball" start after right-hander Russ Ortiz was placed on the disabled list because of an elbow injury.
Ortiz was put on the 15-day DL Thursday because of an inflammed nerve in his right elbow. The move was retroactive to Wednesday, a day after Ortiz allowed eight runs and nine hits in a 9-7 loss to the Colorado Rockies.
"I didn't have any idea there was something going on with his elbow," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "I thought he had good stuff in the game. It's not worth the risk at this point to try and play through it. We don't expect him to be out long."
The Giants are expected to recall the 22-year-old Lincecum, a right-hander, from Triple-A Fresno to replace Ortiz in the rotation as soon as they cut another player from the 25-man roster to make room for him. Lincecum would start Sunday's series finale against the Phillies.
"We're still talking about it but we're expecting him to make that start," Bochy said. "This is a tough kid who handled himself well in spring training. He'll be fine if it turns out to be him."
Lincecum, the Giants' No. 1 pick in the 2006 amateur draft, has allowed one run and struck out 46 in 31 innings with the Grizzlies in five games. He's 4-0 with an 0.29 ERA and 11 walks.
That Lincecum's big league debut will come on ESPN's Sunday telecast shouldn't unnerve the prospect, Bochy said.
"They're all TV games now," Bochy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. "If it is Timmy, I don't think that's going to come into play. He won't be thinking that it's a national TV game, but what will be his approach on the mound. He's a tough kid."
Infielder Kevin Frandsen was recalled from Fresno to replace Ortiz on the roster for at least three days.
"I expect Kevin to be here longer but I can't be 100 percent on that," Bochy said. "We could use some help in the infield, and he gives us more flexibility."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.