Madison Bumgarner’s long road back to the Giants from a broken pinky finger will end next week.
The left-hander will make his season debut Tuesday night at home against the Diamondbacks after recovering from a broken pinky on his pitching hand, The Associated Press reported.
Manager Bruce Bochy foreshadowed early in the week that if all went well for Bumgarner in a 70- to 75-pitch rehab start at Single-A San Jose, he could immediately rejoin the team. It did — 4 2/3 innings of two-hit ball — and he is. Now Bumgarner is in line to pitch for the big-league club next Tuesday against the Diamondback at AT&T Park.
“I felt like I was ready after last time,” Bumgarner said. “As long as the front office says I’m ready, I guess I’m ready," Bumgarner said after Thursday's rehab outing (via the San Jose Mercury News). "I feel ready, though.”
His return comes at a good time. The Giants this week placed right-hander Jeff Samardzija on the disabled list with a right-shoulder tightness after his one-inning start on Tuesday.
San Francisco could certainly use a little good news. It's 4-6 in its last 10 games and tied for third in the NL West with a 27-30 record.