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Bruce Bochy met with reporters Thursday afternoon in Arizona, where he shared a bit of good news about his sidelined ace pitcher. He told the group that earlier in the day doctors removed three pins from Madison Bumgarner’s left hand.
Madison Bumgarner has the pins removed from his pitching hand today, and Bruce Bochy thinks he could be playing catch within two weeks.
— Kerry Crowley (@KO_Crowley) April 19, 2018
With the pins out, Bumgarner will now start to strengthen that left hand. Bochy said his pitcher could start playing catch within a couple of weeks.
As you most likely already aware, Madison Bumgarner has missed the entirety of the young season after Royals second baseman Whit Merrifeld cracked a line drive back at Bumgarner during preseason, hitting the lefty’s pitching hand and breaking his pinky finger.
Following the injury, the Giants placed Bumgarner on the 60-day disabled list. On that timeline, the pitcher will be eligible to return to activities with the club on May 25. Bochy said he wouldn’t be surprised if Bumgarner was ready to pitch shortly following that date.
Following strengthening activities for his hand, the road to recovery will turn to playing catch. The All-Star will then most likely appear in a few minor league rehab assignments, before returning to the rotation.
The Giants are hopeful that Bumgarner will be back in the starting rotation at some point in June.
