PITTSBURGH–Madison Bumgarner needed four rehab starts to work his way back from a sprained shoulder last season, but the Giants can’t afford to have their ace on the shelf much longer.
Bumgarner is eligible to return from the 60-day disabled list on May 25, and even though he has yet to throw a bullpen, the Giants are optimistic the left-hander will return to the rotation shortly after that date.
Bumgarner had surgery to repair a fractured pinky at the end of spring training and had three pins removed from his pitching hand on April 19.
Manager Bruce Bochy said Bumgarner will throw his first bullpen since his injury on Monday at AT&T Park.