Bumgarner (pinkie) hopes to resume throwing this week

San Francisco Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner could be closing in on throwing pitches again.

The four-time All-Star was leaving the Bay Area on Monday night to have his surgically repaired left pinkie examined by Dr. Donald Sheridan in Scottsdale, Ariz., according to Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

“He’s seeing the doctor tomorrow, and if all goes well, then the doctor will OK him to start throwing this week,” manager Bruce Bochy said Monday before San Francisco opened a home series against the San Diego Padres.

From the point when he resumes throwing, Bumgarner figures to be four to six weeks from rejoining the major league rotation.

“I don’t want to sell this guy short,” Bochy said, according to the San Francisco Examiner. “Once he throws flat ground three or four times, he’ll be ready for a bullpen (session).”

Bumgarner was hurt March 23 when struck by a line drive while pitching in a spring training game. Sheridan subsequently inserted three pins into the hand.

Bumgarner, 28, is coming off the worst season of his career. Missing half of the year due to a dirt-bike accident that caused bruised ribs and a sprained pitching shoulder, he wound up 4-9 with a 3.32 ERA in 17 starts.

For his career, Bumgarner is 104-76 with a 3.01 ERA in nine years with the Giants. He was the National League Championship Series MVP and the World Series MVP in 2014.

–Field Level Media