In what would qualify as a shocker if the subject were not struggling as much as he is, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy went on Jim Bowden’s show on SiriusXM Radio on Tuesday and acknowledged that he and general manager Brian Sabean have talked about having struggling ace Tim Lincecum either skip a start or even move to the bullpen.

Here’s the tweet from Bowden, the former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals G.M.:

BruceBochy told us on our show today that he & Sabean have discussed ways to help Lincecuum incl missing a start or possible move to bullpen—
JIM BOWDEN (@JimBowdenESPNxm) June 12, 2012

Lincecum, the two-time Cy Young Award winner who signed a two-year, $40.5 million contract during the offseason, is 2-7 with a 6.00 ERA in 2012. Given his drop in velocity, there are some who believe that something is physically ailing the Freak.

San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum was sidelined at spring training due to back tightness earlier this week, but the young righty now says he’s throwing again and feeling healthy.

“A couple of days ago I felt something in my back and figured why press it,” Lincecum told the Associated Press after a bullpen session today. “I don’t have to get ready for another month and a half, so I just let my body readjust itself. I threw today and felt great.”

Lincecum went 13-14 last season with a 2.74 ERA, striking out 220 in 217 innings of work, making 32-plus starts for the fourth consecutive season. He said today that he still sees room for improvement in 2012.

“I want to throw more strike ones,” Lincecum said. “I want to get back to using my fastball to control the strike zone.”

Updated – 3:15: The Giants have reached a verbal agreement on a two-year deal with Lincecum.

Tim Lincecum and #SFGiants have a verbal agreement on a two-year contract.

—
San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) January 24, 2012

Original – 2:37 : The San Francisco Giants are nearing a two-year contract believed to be worth about $40 million with Tim Lincecum, according to MLB Trade Rumors.

Just last week the Giants offered to the two-time Cy Young Award winner $17 million in arbitration, which would have been the highest arbitration deal in history. Lincecum asked for $21.5 million, which was the second highest asking price ever, second only to Roger Clemens who asked the Houston Astros for $22 million in 2005.

Lincecum, 27, was 13-14 last season with a 2.74 ERA. His best season was 2008, when he won 18 games and struck out 265 batters.

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum has asked for $21.5 million in salary arbitration, according to the Associated Press. The Giants have offered Lincecum $17 million.

The offer by San Francisco to the two-time Cy Young Award winner is the most in arbitration history, besting the $14.25 million the New York Yankees offered Derek Jeter in 2001. Lincecum’s asking price is second only to Roger Clemens’, who asked the Houston Astros for $22 million in 2005.

Lincecum, 27, was 13-14 last season with a 2.74 ERA. His best season was 20088, when he won 18 games and struck out 265 batters.