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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 4:22 p.m., Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Baseball: All-Star Lincecum released from hospital

By Andrew Baggarly
San Jose Mercury News

NEW YORK — San Francisco Giants right-hander Tim Lincecum was released from a Manhattan hospital after being treated for flu and dehydration and did not make it to Yankee Stadium for the All-Star Game tonight.

Lincecum probably came down with the same respiratory ailment that ripped through the Giants on their trip last week to play the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. Several players were limited or held out of action on the trip, including shortstop Omar Vizquel.

Lincecum was resting comfortably after being released from New York Presbyterian Hospital, according to a statement released by the team.

There were rumors that Lincecum was taken from his Midtown hotel room on a stretcher; while club statement did not indicate whether he was transported by emergency personnel, it thanked Major League Baseball security, the New York Police Department, the hospital and the Grand Hyatt hotel for their assistance.

Lincecum appeared fine at his media session Monday afternoon but did not ride along with teammate Brian Wilson in an All-Star red carpet parade Tuesday morning.

"If he pitched, I'm sure he'd still be lights-out," Wilson said.

N.L. Manager Clint Hurdle said he heard Lincecum's condition had improved over the day.

"He's better," Hurdle said. "We're on top of it. He's fine."

Lincecum was a long shot to appear in the game after throwing 116 pitches Sunday at Wrigley Field, but he missed the star-studded pregame ceremonies, including a collection of all living Hall of Famers.

In other pregame news, Wilson said coaches told him to prepare to pitch the eighth inning, possibly sharing it with Mets left-hander Billy Wagner if matchup warrant. Phillies right-hander Brad Lidge was promised the ninth inning, Wilson said.

Wilson said he'd relish a setup role.

"I'm looking forward to getting my first hold, maybe," he said, smiling.