Bumgarner shows Single-A hitters he’s ready for AT&T
SAN JOSE » After appearing at ballparks in Sacramento and San Jose in the past week, the next stop on Madison Bumgarner’s tour of Northern California stadiums is his most important.
The lefthander is poised to rejoin the San Franc i s co Giants and ready to take the hill at AT&T Park. Bumgarner threw 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball for Single-A San Jose Thursday, allowing one home run and striking out seven on 74 pitches in what’s expected to be his final rehab start.
“I felt like I was ready after last time,” Bumgarner said. “As long as the front office says I’mready, I guess I’mready. I feel ready, though.”
After fracturing his pinky on March 23, Bumgarner underwent surgery and had three pins inserted into his pitching hand. The Giants ace threw to hitters for the first time on May 22 and nearly returned to the team’s rotation after a single rehab start in Sacramento.
Instead of having Bumgarner face the Phillies today in San Francisco, Bumgarner matched up with the Visalia Rawhide on Thursday. His breaking balls were masterful and his command was spot- on as Bumgarner threw 52 of his 74 pitches for strikes.
The highlight of Bumgarner’s performance came in his final inning, when he struck out the “beer batter,” which allowed fans to rush from their seats to score half-priced adult beverages.
“I know that’s pretty important around here,” Bumgarner said. “So I tried to make an effort to do that.”
If the 10th-year major league veteran stays on regular rest, he’ll make his 2018 debut on Tuesday at home against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“Having your ace come back, it’s huge,” second baseman Joe Panik said. “The boys have been really battling well this year and anytime you can get a lift from anybody and get your horse back, you can count on him every fifth day to go six or seven strong.”
Bumgarner, Panik and infielder Alen Hanson all participated in Thursday’s contest in San Jose as part of their respective rehab assignments. Panik has been out since April 27 with a fractured thumb, but said he expects to be activated today after serving as the designated hitter against Visalia.
Despite posting an 11-16 record in May, the Giants sit just four games back in the National League West and Panik said the club is anticipating a jolt of energy when its ace returns to the hill.
“It’s huge for the team because he can lock horns with anybody in the league,” Panik said. “You throw out any name and he’ll be able to go toe-to-toe with them and that’s huge going forward.”