LOS ANGELES -- The Angels, in desperate need of help in their rotation, are nearing an agreement with two-time National League Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum, multiple sources told MLB.com on Monday. Jon Heyman of MLB Network and Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports first reported the impending deal, which won't be official until Lincecum passes a physical.
The deal, which has not been confirmed by the Angels, would be a Major League contract and is said to be "close," though both sides were still ironing out details as of Monday afternoon. Lincecum, 31, is coming off hip surgery and hasn't pitched in a big league game since June 27. He would need to make a handful of Minor League rehab starts before joining the Angels' staff.

A three-time World Series champion with the Giants, Lincecum was one of the game's best pitchers from 2008-11, averaging 16 wins, a 2.81 ERA and 10 strikeouts per nine innings while making the All-Star team and finishing within the top 10 in NL Cy Young Award voting in each of those four seasons.
In the four years since, though, Lincecum experienced a gradual drop in velocity -- from 93 mph down to 89 mph -- and saw his ERA rise to 4.68. He posted a 4.13 ERA with career worsts in WHIP (1.48) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (1.58) through 15 starts in 2015, then underwent surgery to repair a torn left hip labrum on Sept. 3 and spent the next five months rehabbing.
The Angels were among a multitude of teams that were represented at Lincecum's showcase in Scottsdale, Ariz., on May 6, when he threw his fastball in the low 90s and "looked healthy," according to a scout in attendance.
"His best days are behind him," the scout said, "but he could be serviceable."
The Angels have four starting pitchers tending to injuries.
Garrett Richards and Andrew Heaney both have torn elbow ligaments and are attempting the non-surgical route in hopes of avoiding the season-ending Tommy John procedure. Tyler Skaggs, recovering from August 2014 Tommy John surgery, hasn't thrown in more than three weeks due to a bout with biceps tendinitis. C.J. Wilson, dealing with left shoulder issues since the start of Spring Training, isn't expected back until mid-June, at the earliest.
The Angels' rotation includes Jered Weaver, Hector Santiago, Nick Tropeano, Matt Shoemaker and Jhoulys Chacin, who was acquired from the Braves last week.