San Francisco Giants: Five Spring Training Disappointments

Madison Bumgarner’s Injury

When he pitched, Bumgarner had a fabulous spring.The Giants’ ace was ready to be one of the successes of the 2018 camp. He had gotten through spring training with a 3.43 ERA, blowing away hitters as he struck out 30 in 21 innings.

The Giants and the baseball world were ready for Bumgarner vs. Clayton Kershaw on Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. But then–a freak injury.

In a game against the Kansas City Royals last Friday, Bumgarner got hit on his pinky finger by a Whit Merrifield line drive. An MRI showed the finger was broken, and the Giants would be without their ace for at least six-to-eight weeks.

This came at a terrible time for the Giants, as they face the Dodgers 10 times in their first 19 games.

Given how their terrible start last year led to 98 losses, the Giants need to have a good start to establish last year as a thing of the past.

Bumgarner told the San Jose Mercury News:  

"“It’s tough, but I can handle it and these guys can handle it. I think I’ll be fine but it’s obviously not what I was expecting out of my last start, but it’s what happens and now I’ve got to deal with it.”"

What makes this more disappointing is he missed half of last season, separating his shoulder during a dirt bike accident. While Bumgarner was not a disappointment on the field this spring, his absence, again, is what’s disappointing.

Furthermore, he was expected to pitch three times against the Dodgers in April. Ty Blach will pitch in place of Bumgarner on Opening Day.