Bumgarner ready to get back on field
PEORIA, Ariz. — The Giants had said Madison Bumgarner would miss one or two starts with two seemingly minor injuries, and the lefty said Thursday he feels good to go for Saturday, meaning he’d miss just one turn in the rotation.
Bumgarner has not missed a regular- season start in the big leagues. “This doesn’t count,” he said. No, it doesn’t. What counts is April 4, Bumgarner’s Opening Day assignment in Milwaukee, and Bumgarner and the Giants are confident neither the irritation in his rib cage nor the neuroma in his left foot will linger into the season.
“We’re still taking it one day at a time, but as far as I know, we’re still on track for Saturday,” said Bumgarner, his rib area wrapped in ice. “We’ve still got time. It’s not that big a deal, and you don’t want to make it into one. It’s tough because it’s not a lot of fun to get treatment and get worked on. If you’re going to miss some time, you might as well make it as short as you can by taking care of it.”
Aside from discomfort in his right rib cage, caused by a swinging a bat in a cage, Bumgarner has had a nerve injury between the third and fourth joints on the bottom of his left foot.
Bumgarner played catch Wednesday and threw a light bullpen session Thursday.
Pitchers hit 8th? Manager Bruce Bochy said he still could use Bumgarner as a pinchhitter this season despite an expected deeper bench. Bochy also hinted he could bat Bumgarner — and perhaps other starting pitchers — eighth in some games because of this year’s personnel.
In the past, Bochy has not been a fan of pitchers batting eighth, but he likes the thought of Denard Span hitting first and Angel Pagan ( or even
Gregor Blanco) ninth, speed guys back to back.
Peavy progress: Jake Peavy
pitched four innings and surrendered three runs ( two earned) on eight hits, including two homers. In four starts and 122⁄ innings, he has given up 12 earned runs on 27 hits and four walks, but he said he made strides Thursday.
“I don’t know if it was the night game, but my body felt a little freer tonight, just looser,” Peavy said. “I think my stats will tell you I’m a little better in day games, but I certainly like night games. The routine beforehand is nice and relaxed, not compressed.”
Briefly: Span took four at- bats in minor- league camp ( 1- for- 4 with a triple and another long fly to the wall) and hopes to return to center field Friday night. He was diagnosed with a bone bruise after jamming his right shoulder Wednesday when he tumbled pursuing a flyball in a Cactus League game. ... Kyle Blanks was to make his first start in left field but was scratched with a right Achilles issue. Blanks underwent surgeries to have the backs of both heels shaved and bursas between his Achilles tendons and heels removed. … Gregor Blanco ( back) also was scratched. … Projected No. 5 starter Matt
Cain will make his first spring training start Friday night.