San Francisco Giants: Madison Bumgarner wraps up his rehabilitation on a high note

Madison Bumgarner bid farewell to the San Jose Giants with a dominant outing in his final rehab start before returning to the major leagues on July 15.

After his previous two rehab starts raised a few eyebrows, Madison Bumgarner wrapped up his rehabilitation with a spectacular start for the San Jose Giants and a standing ovation at Municipal Stadium. Following the All-Star break, Bumgarner is expected to make his first start since late April on Saturday, July 16 against the San Diego Padres.

Bumgarner bounced back from the home run derby that was his last rehab start against the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, in which he allowed four homers and nine runs in four innings. He did so by holding the Modesto Nuts to two hits and one run while striking out eight.

Much of the encouraging signs Bumgarner showed in his previous rehab starts stayed true last night, only this time the results came with it. According to the Mercury News, Bumgarner kept his fastball around 88-91 mph with exceptional command of his off-speed pitches. He kept within his 90-pitch limit and threw 86, 58 of which found the strike zone.

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"“Today was a little bit like the last game of spring, where you look it in and try to make pitches,” Bumgarner said (per sfchronicle.com). “Didn’t miss many spots today. My main goal was to get my strength back. Today was a little more like a game situation.”"