:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59141159/usa_today_10286108.0.jpg)
Well, this certainly isn’t how you want to end camp.
In his final start of the spring, Madison Bumgarner was forced to exit today’s game against the Royals after Whit Merrifield hit a line drive that came back and hit Bumgarner on his pitching hand.
Bumgarner was quickly evaluated by Bruce Bochy and Dave Groeschner and left the field.
Video of the incident:
♂️ pic.twitter.com/5DZniRZ3N0
— John Middlekauff (@JohnMiddlekauff) March 23, 2018
The extent of the injury is unknown at this time, but Bumgarner is scheduled to start Opening Day against the Dodgers on Thursday.
Today’s been a pretty injury-heavy day around the rest of the league, so we won’t judge you if you want to freak out right now. However, do at least try to wait until we have a little more information before reaching full-on panic levels.
Some slightly hopeful news from Henry Schulman:
There was one hopeful sign as Bumgarner came off. The trainer was not holding Bumgarner's hand level to keep it steady, as happens when a fracture is feared. Best case would be immediatel removal as a precaution. #SFGIants
— Henry Schulman (@hankschulman) March 23, 2018
And a bit of odd news from Alex Pavlovic:
Rough couple of days after one of healthiest springs I can remember. Also, Bumgarner and Merrifield played together in NC. Bumgarner hit him with pitch when they were 11 years old. Small world. https://t.co/OtNa9PNdR8
— Alex Pavlovic (@PavlovicNBCS) March 23, 2018
We will update as we get more information.