Lincecum doubtful for Opening Day due to blister issue

The much-anticipated return of Tim Lincecum is going to have to wait.

Lincecum was scheduled to make his first appearance for the Texas Rangers on Friday but had to be scratched due to a blister on the middle finger of his throwing hand.

With just one week to go before Opening Day and Lincecum yet to throw a single pitch during a spring training game, it's not expected he'll be ready to start the season. He'll now likely begin the year on the disabled list, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.

The news comes as a bit of a setback for the 32-year-old after a productive bullpen session earlier in the week that featured 40-plus pitches.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

"He's a very tenacious worker and one thing you don't have to worry about is his preparation," Rangers manager Jeff Bannister said. "It's as good as any we've seen. I look forward to getting him out on the mound and seeing what he can do."

The two-time Cy Young winner signed a one-year deal with Texas earlier this month in an effort to revive his career as a reliever.