Lincecum has strong outing for Giants

Tim Lincecum pitched three strong innings and Hunter Pence homered as the San Francisco Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 5-0 in Surprise, Ariz.

The two-time N.L. Cy Young Award winner is coming off his third straight losing season. The Giants re-signed him to a two-year, $35 million contract in the offseason. Lincecum allowed two hits in the first inning, including a leadoff double to Norichika Aoki, who was thrown out trying to steal third.

Pence hit his first home run to center in the sixth off Wade Davis.

Reds top Mariners

Chris Heisey hit two home runs, Brandon Phillips also connected and a Cincinnati Reds split squad defeated the Seattle Mariners 10-9 in Peoria, Ariz.

Randy Wolf allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in three innings.

Jesus Montero doubled twice for the Mariners and Kyle Seager reached base three times.

Perez to join Arizona

A person familiar with the negotiations says left-hander Oliver Perez and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a $4.25 million, two-year contract.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the agreement was subject to a successful physical.

The 32-year-old was 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA last year in his second season with the Mariners after spending 2011 in the minor leagues. He has a 62-75 record in 195 starts and 105 relief appearances over 11 big league seasons.

Hochevar out for season

Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season.

Hochevar felt a twinge in his elbow on the next-to-last pitch of a scoreless two-inning outing Monday against the Chicago White Sox.

An MRI on Tuesday revealed a major tear of the ulnar collateral ligament. The severity of the injury was confirmed Thursday by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles.

“I knew this day was coming,” Hochevar said. “After the first time I hurt it, I knew it was coming. I’m extremely thankful it held up for four years.”

Royals release Penny

Pitcher Brad Penny has been released from a minor league contract by the Kansas City Royals following a poor start to spring training.

The 35-year-old right-hander, an All-Star with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 and 2007, gave up four runs and eight hits in two innings against the Chicago White Sox. Penny allowed 13 hits over four innings in two spring training appearances and had a 15.75 ERA.