Tim Lincecum has been more effective as a reliever in the postseason than he has a starter, but he will return to the San Francisco Giants' rotation next season.

“We’ll do what we have him doing in this series,” general manager Brian Sabean said. “Right now he’s in the bullpen. But our plan next year with him in the last year of his contract is him as a starter.”

Lincecum will be in the second season of a two-year, $20 million contract in 2013.

Lincecum went 10-15 with a 5.18 ERA during the regular season.

Lincecum relieved Barry Zito in the sixth inning and retired all seven batters he faced in the Giants' Game 1 win over the Tigers.

“Right now, it’s not about me,” Lincecum said. “It’s about the team. I’m going to do what they ask.”