SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- When it comes to Tim Lincecum, there is no such thing as a small injury. But Giants manager Bruce Bochy insisted there was no need to freak out Tuesday morning, when his two-time Cy Young Award winner was held out of his usual bullpen session.
The Giants scratched Lincecum as a precaution because of a stiff lower back. He tested it briefly by throwing off flat ground with Dave Groeschner before the trainer accompanied him back into the clubhouse.
"We'll see how he's feeling tomorrow, but I don't see this being an issue at all," Bochy said.
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Along with Ryan Vogelsong, two-fifths of the Giants rotation is out with back trouble. Vogelsong is expected to miss as much as two weeks. Bochy said Lincecum's back issue is less significant, adding the right-hander often deals with some stiffness early in the spring as players stand around in cleats while waiting their turn in fielding drills.
"Timmy had this last year," Bochy said. "(Brian) Wilson did. Mine's stiff now, to be honest."
The Giants do not have an abundance of starting pitching depth. Rookie Eric Surkamp is considered the first line of defense.