PHOENIX–Four weeks after a line drive ruined the Giants’ early-season plans and fractured the pinky in Madison Bumgarner’s pitching hand, the club’s ace made an important visit to the doctor’s office.
Bumgarner had three pins removed from his left hand Thursday as he recovers from a fractured fifth metacarpal suffered during his final spring training start.
The Giants left-hander was rounding into form for the regular season when Royals’ leadoff man Whit Merrifield smoked a line drive back at the pitcher on March 23. Bumgarner instinctually raised his hand to stop the ball, and after it made contact with him, the pitcher knew right away that his injury was serious.