May 23--Right-hander Tim Lincecum threw his first bullpen session Sunday as part of the Angels at the team's extended spring-training facility in Arizona. They said he impressed them.
"On video, his motion looks the same," Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. "The evaluation of his workout was very encouraging. The litmus test is going to be not Start 1 when he gets with us. It's: What's he like Start 5, 10 or 15?
"Tim's worked hard. He won't get out there until he's ready for that challenge."
Lincecum will next throw a simulated game at the complex. He will work his way up to an extended spring game and then head to triple-A Salt Lake, where he'll make at least two starts, according to Scioscia.
That jibes with the timetable provided by General Manager Billy Eppler, who said he expected Lincecum to make his debut with the team between June 9-19. June 15 is Lincecum's 32nd birthday.
Lincecum also cleared optional waivers Sunday. He had been taking up a 25-man roster spot for two days, leaving the Angels short-handed. They called up left-hander Lucas Luetge in his stead on Sunday, bringing their bullpen back to eight men.
Luetge, 29, has a 4.35 earned-run average in 89 innings over parts of four big league seasons, all spent as a reliever. He spent the season's first seven weeks with triple-A Salt Lake.
To create space for him on their 40-man roster, the Angels designated reliever A.J. Achter for assignment. Achter has had three stints on the major league team this season, none of them particularly successful.
Short hops
Johnny Giavotella hit fifth for the Angels on Sunday, his first time doing so in 2016, and the seventh time he did so in his major league career. The Orioles' No. 5 hitter, former Angel Mark Trumbo, has 13 home runs this season, more than Giavotella has hit in his career. ...
Left-hander C.J. Wilson will start Wednesday for Class-A Inland Empire. He has been out all season while recovering from shoulder tendinitis. ...
Closer Huston Street (oblique strain) will throw a simulated game Monday in Texas. He will need to make additional appearances before returning to the majors, likely in the form of a brief rehab assignment. ...
Left-hander Tyler Skaggs (Tommy John surgery) has not advanced to facing hitters after he was cleared to resume throwing Monday.
pedro.moura@latimes.com
Twitter: @pedromoura
