×

Bumgarner breaks finger

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner is hurt for the second straight year, breaking a bone in his pitching hand when hit by a line drive off the bat of Kansas City’s Whit Merrifield during a spring training game on Friday.

The Giants said X-rays showed the 28-year-old fractured the fifth metacarpal on the outside of his left hand.

“It’s tough. But I can handle it,” Bumgarner said. “These guys can handle it. This obviously was not what I was expecting out of my last start. But it happened and I can deal with it.”

Bumgarner, the 2014 World Series MVP, missed nearly three months last season after a dirt bike accident on April 20 during an off day in Colorado. This is a big blow for the Giants as they try to rebound from a surprising last-place finish in the NL West with 98 losses.

Elsewhere:

n Yankees slugger Aaron Judge could be used at times as a leadoff hitter this season. The 2017 AL Rookie of the Year was at the top of the lineup and went 1 for 4 in a 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Friday.

“It’s a potential. That’s why we’re deploying it and assessing it,” Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said. “We’re going to take a peak here. We’ll see how it feels.(backslash), Simple as that.”

n Clayton Kershaw finished spring training with a 0.00 ERA.

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ three-time NL Cy Young Award winner stretched his scoreless streak to 21 1/3 innings with 6 2/3 innings against Kansas City in his final tuneup for Thursday’s opener against San Francisco. He allowed a leadoff single to Jon Jay and no other hits. He struck out four and walked none in a 10-0 win.

“Physically I feel great, which is good,” Kershaw said. “I’ve obviously pitched in the playoffs before, but finishing on November 1st, you never know how the extra couple of weeks will affect you. I feel good. I’m excited to get going and ready to feel a little bit of adrenaline.”

n All-Star second baseman Daniel Murphy is likely to remain behind in Florida when the Washington Nationals break camp.

Murphy had micro-fracture surgery on his right knee on Oct. 20 and has not appeared in any major league or minor league spring training games. His rehabilitation has taken longer than expected, and Howie Kendrick or Wilmer Difo are expected to start at second in next Thursday’s opener at Cincinnati.

Oft-injured first baseman Ryan Zimmerman has played in just one major league spring training game, opting for time in the batting cages and in minor league games.

“He’s a guy that doesn’t really like spring training, and he’s had a good spring training,” Martinez said. “He says he’s ready to go.”

n Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright has accepted a 15-game suspension under Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy following his arrest on Dec. 8.

n Minnesota Twins third baseman Miguel Sano will not be suspended by Major League Baseball after being accused of assault.

The commissioner’s office said in a statement on Friday “there was insufficient evidence to support a disciplinary determination against Sano, who was accused of assault in December by a photographer who has covered the Twins. She posted on Twitter that the All-Star third baseman forcibly attempted to kiss her following an autograph session at a mall in 2015.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.39/week.

Subscribe Today