After Jacob deGrom threw eight innings of one-run ball against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday afternoon, it’s easy to see why the Giants miss Madison Bumgarner.
At this point, the Giants need another power threat in their lineup, and on Sunday morning, San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy delivered good news.
“He’s swinging the bat,” Bochy said. “He’s hitting the ball off the tee. In fact, he took the tee off the field just to hit on the field and see how the ball was coming off the bat and he’s into whether it’s pitching or hitting, having things right. So instead of just hitting in the cage, he hit off the tee on the field.”
Bumgarner was injured in an off-the-field dirt-biking incident in April and suffered a serious shoulder sprain that was expected to keep him out until the end of July.
Of course, the Giants are far more concerned about when they’ll have their top pitcher back in the starting rotation, but Bumgarner’s progress at the plate is another sign that he’s closer to making his long-awaited return.
After making a simulated start in Arizona last week, the Giants’ ace will face batters in a 3.0 inning scheduled appearance for the Giants’ rookie-level affiliate in the Arizona League. Bochy said after Bumgarner’s outing, he’ll fly up to San Francisco and meet with the skipper to craft a plan for the remainder of his rehab starts.
“I don’t know for sure, but (Bumgarner) will be here tomorrow,” Bochy said. “He’ll come here tomorrow to throw a pen. I’m going to sit down with him tomorrow and talk about that. What we’re going to do with the rest of his starts.”
Bumgarner’s next bullpen will likely take place on Tuesday or Wednesday before the Giants hit the road for a series in Pittsburgh followed by a set in Detroit, and when the team is away, Bochy is hoping the lefty will make a start with AAA Sacramento or A San Jose.