Big step for Bumgarner
PHOENIX — A day short of four weeks after a line drive in his final spring training start broke his left pinkie, Madison Bumgarner had the doctor visit he hoped for Thursday. Three pins that held the bone in place were removed, a big step on the road back to the mound.
“He’s probably excited to get those things out,” manager Bruce Bochy said.
The medical staff expects Bumgarner to begin playing catch in two weeks. Once that happens, Bochy said, “you’ll see some really good progress.”
Bumgarner is not eligible to come off the 60-man disabled list until May 25. Though he surely has that date highlighted on his calendar, returning that soon would be a stretch.
Assuming he starts playing catch around May 3, Bumgarner would have three weeks to rebuild his arm strength, play catch, throw bullpens, throw to hitters and make at least two rehab starts.
The timetable would have been a lot longer had Thursday’s visit with orthopedic hand surgeon Dr. Donald Sheridan gone differently. Sheridan wanted to see images showing how well the displaced fracture had healed before removing the pins. Ohtani-mania: The Giants get their first taste of Shohei Ohtani in Anaheim this weekend. A blister will keep Ohtani off the mound, but that means he would be available as a designated hitter for all three games.
Derek Holland, who pitches Saturday night, said he will prepare for Ohtani but not go overboard.
“He’s done some great things. He’s fun to watch,” Holland said. “But I’m not going to focus on getting him out. They’ve got a lot of talented guys and you can’t forget about the rest of that lineup. You can’t focus on just one guy when they have Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Kole Calhoun and Justin Upton.
“What he’s done is pretty phenomenal, but let’s wait to see how he does after the All-Star break,” Holland said of Ohtani. “Don’t get me wrong. What he’s done is very impressive.” Briefly: Mark Melancon (right elbow flexor strain) is expected to play catch in a week or two after a stem-cell injection. … Through Wednesday, the Giants’ pitching staff had allowed nine homers, tied with Boston for fewest in the majors. Ty Blach and Chris Stratton were among six pitchers who had thrown at least 20 innings and not allowed one. A.J. Pollock took Blach deep in the sixth inning Thursday.