Good Bumgarner news
ATLANTA — Six weeks after his hand was broken by a line drive in the final Cactus League game, Madison Bumgarner played catch for the first time and made 30 throws from 60 feet, good news for a team that needs some on the pitching front.
The uncertainty over Johnny Cueto‘s elbow will last through the weekend. Cueto could not get an appointment to see Dr. James Andrews until Monday to get an important opinion on how to proceed.
The Giants have adopted an information blackout on Cueto until then. They will not comment on the results of the MRI exam that Cueto had in San Francisco or which muscles or ligaments are involved, although surgery remains on the table.
More specifically, if Andrews is involved, a Tommy John surgery that would cost Cueto the rest of 2018 and probably
half of 2019 might be under consideration.
“I know he’s anxious to see Dr. Andrews too to see what he’s going to do, what kind of rehab,” manager Bruce Bochy said, and by “rehab,” he meant “course of action.” Bochy was not ruling out surgery as opposed to a nonsurgical rehabilitation, which pitchers attempt if their UCLs are not completely torn off the bone.
Bumgarner is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list May 25, an unrealistic option if the Giants want him to make “four or five” rehab starts, as Bochy said in San Francisco. 10-year men: The day after Cueto went on the DL, the Giants held a brief clubhouse ceremony to honor him and Evan Longoria for reaching 10 years of major-league service time.
That is a big milestone, practically, because it guarantees a full pension. It also locks in full no-trade rights for a player who also has five years in his organization.
Longoria will reach 10 years Sunday and said that was the only milestone he looked ahead to when he debuted.
“It’s just because there are not a whole lot of guys who are lucky enough to play the game that long,” Longoria said. “I’ve tried not to take any day for granted. It’s been a fun ride.”
Briefly: Mac Williamson is eligible to be activated from the concussion DL on Saturday, but Bochy said Williamson felt bad Thursday, possibly because of a virus rather than recurring concussion symptoms. … The Giants flopped Jeff Samardzija and Andrew Suarez in the rotation. Suarez will pitch in Atlanta on Sunday, Samardzija on Monday. The Giants want to give Samardzija extra time as he continues to gain strength off the DL.