DETROIT — The San Francisco Giants are optimistic they’ll have their ace back sooner than later.
Madison Bumgarner, who hasn’t thrown in a Major League Baseball game since April 19, is scheduled to throw 75 pitches on Wednesday for the San Jose Giants. If it all goes to plan, he’d get five innings of work.
Manager Bruce Bochy said before his team played the Detroit Tigers that a return date of July 15 remains a “possibility.”
“We’re going to talk about it after he pitches and see what we’re going to do at that point,” Bochy said. “So far, it’s all been good.
“Right after the break, we think he’ll be ready to go.”
The last time Bumgarner took the mound, he lasted 3.2 innings, allowing four runs on seven hits in a Triple-A Sacramento game.
Gillaspie could be activated when Giants return to SF
Conor Gillaspie is also slated to participate in San Jose on Wednesday.
Bochy said the reserve infielder could be back on the active roster as early as Friday.
Ryder Jones has been dealing with a left wrist ailment that has limited him. Bochy said the rookie could be used in pinch hitting situations but hasn’t wanted to push him before he’s feeling better.
“My guess is, when we get back Friday is when he’ll be 100 percent to play,” Bochy said. “Just a matter of what we end up doing here because we may be making a move this weekend.”
The Giants haven’t felt any urgency to make a move as they play in an American League park. Utilizing a designated hitter means there’s less need for pinch hitters.
“I don’t know who in the lineup — maybe one guy or two that I would hit for,” Bochy explained. “We just don’t have to make as many moves.”
Nunez expected after break
Eduardo Nunez suffered a setback in his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Bochy said Wednesday that it’s more than likely he’s going to return after the All-Star Break next week.
“It’s a little bit of a longshot this weekend,” the Giants manager said. “He’s just not quite there. He doesn’t quite feel like he’s ready to play.”
Lineups
SF
- Gorkys Hernandez, CF
- Brandon Belt, 1B
- Hunter Pence, RF
- Buster Posey, DH
- Jae-gyun Hwang, 3B
- Brandon Crawford, SS
- Austin Slater, LF
- Nick Hundley, C
- Kelby Tomlinson
DET
- Ian Kinsler, 2B
- Nick Castellanos, 3B
- Justin Upton, LF
- Miguel Cabrera, 1B
- J.D. Martinez, RF
- Victor Martinez, DH
- Mikie Mahtook, CF
- James McCann, C
- Jose Iglesias, SS
jpalmer@sfexaminer.comBruce Bochyconor gillaspieDetroit TIgersMadison BumgarnerMLBSan Francisco Giants
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