Giants see positives on mound from Wilson, Lincecum

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.The Giants never had great concerns overTim Lincecums mild back stiffness, but it was nonetheless reassuring when thecoaching staff watched him return to the mound on Tuesday.They were smiling even more after watching closer Brian Wilsonpush himself harder in his mound session.
Wilson, who spent all winter rehabbing a sore right elbow,appeared to throw at close to full intensity. His special session, whichfollowed the two main throwing groups, was watched by manager Bruce Bochy,pitching coach Dave Righetti, GM Brian Sabean, vice president Dick Tidrow andtrainer Dave Groeschner.Its just getting better each time, said Bochy, who hasWilson throwing every third day. The last time he felt improvement. He feltgood about it. He feels even better today.Lincecum appears to have shaken off the mild back stiffnessthat caused him to miss his previous bullpen session. He threw with his normalgroup and appeared unrestricted.Timmy didnt hold back, Bochy said. His back wasnt anissue. We got him off the field early, just to be safe. But it looks like hesput this past him.Lincecum said he woke up with some stiffness on Tuesday butit already cleared up.Why push it? he said. Its February. Weve got twomonths. Lincecum isnt rushing his pitch repertoire, either. For thesecond session in a row, he threw only fastballs and changeups.When I feel my arm speed is where it needs to be, Ill startthrowing everything else, Lincecum said. I feel my curve and slider can takeaway from staying behind the ball. I want to throw lots of strike one. Whenyoure throwing more fastballs and controlling the zone, thatll help.Left-hander Dan Runzler, who strained a lat muscle in hislast outing of the season last September, threw his session after Wilson. Righettiwas pleased with the way Runzler has worked to refine his delivery, which isnoticeably smoother.