Giants gain interest in Tim Lincecum return; lose finale to Reds

CINCINNATI -- A majority of major league clubs will send representatives to Scottsdale Stadium on Friday to evaluate Tim Lincecum. The Giants will be among them.

And their interest has advanced far beyond casual courtesy.Giants manager Bruce Bochy made a major acknowledgment before a 7-4 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Wednesday, saying it was fair to assume that the club's interest in re-signing the beloved two-time Cy Young Award winner is greater now than it was a month ago.But Bochy stressed that he sees an opportunity for Lincecum as a long reliever, not the starter role that he prefers, and the manager continued to insist he would not look to alter a rotation that includes struggling veterans Matt Cain and Jake Peavy.