By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday that the team would be moving Tim Lincecum to the bullpen. The Giants will start Yusmeiro Petit (3-3 3.59) in Lincecum’s place in the rotation.

Petit has been strong in relief and has retired 38 straight hitters over a 7-outing stretch. and  has not allowed a run in his last nine relief appearances.

Lincecum (10-9) had won 4 straight since his no-hitter against San Diego 25^th. Since then, Lincecum has lost 4 of his last 5 starts and is coming off his shortest start of his career Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

According to Giant’s Manager Bruce Bochy, “He’s going to the bullpen to work on some things.”

It’s not the first time in the bullpen for Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, he pitched in relief in the 2010 and 2012 World Series.

Petit will start the final game of the series against the Rockies on Thursday.

It’s yet to be decided if Lincecum will return to the rotation on his next turn. ”We’ll make that call on the next start after this Petit start,” Bochy said.