The Giants have had a lot of players injured this year, several of whom have already been on various disabled lists for extended periods of time and missed several games.
Several of those players, however, are continuing to progress in their recoveries, and may be back on the field soon.
Bruce Bochy spoke to reporters at AT&T Park Thursday before the first game of the Giants’ four-game series with the Colorado Rockies, and provided updates on several players’ conditions.
The most unique update came when Bochy discussed Hunter Pence’s changing his swing in an attempt to improve his offensive production. Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area reported that Pence is working with swing coach Doug Latta, the same man who worked with Mac Willamson on changing his swing during the past offseason. Bochy disclosed that changing Pence’s swing was something he and Pence agreed to before Pence went on the disabled list.
“There are times in your career when it’s important that you make some tweaks and change,” Bochy said, according to Pavlovic. “Hunter felt that, and I agree. The fact that this is something that he really wanted is going to make it easier to work out for him.”
Meanwhile, Williamson faced Mark Melancon during a live batting practice session Thursday. Melancon also faced other hitters, and according to Pavlovic, “it went so well that he’s likely to make his first rehab appearance on Sunday or Monday. Melancon will spend about two weeks in Triple-A, with the goal of making five appearances.” Bochy added that he would like Melancon to pitch on back-to-back days, something he hasn’t done since Spring Training, when he was shut down after pitching for the second straight day.
Williamson “is doing well and is close to a rehab assignment,” while Joe Panik “has started to take soft-toss swings in the cage.”
But the biggest news of the afternoon concerned Madison Bumgarner, who “will throw to Giants hitters on Tuesday and is likely to make his first rehab start the following Saturday, May 26, for the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats.” According to Pavlovic, “That should get Bumgarner back in the big league rotation sometime around the second week of June.”
Overall, the injury news is positive for the Giants, who are 22-22 but would love to have the services of as many of their regular starters as soon as possible.