PHOENIX -- Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner, whose already formidable hitting drew even more attention when he homered twice in Sunday's season opener, said he'll readily accept more pinch-hitting opportunities if manager Bruce Bochy wants to use him in that role.
"I'll be more than happy to do anything I can do to help us win," Bumgarner said Tuesday, two days after he hiked his career home run total to 16. That figure leads all active Major League pitchers and is a franchise record.
Bumgarner is 3-for-9 (.333) in 10 career pinch-hit appearances, including a memorable walk he coaxed from then-Cubs closer Albertin Chapman in 2015.
Manager Bruce Bochy indicated Aaron Hill typically will be the team's preferred right-handed batter off the bench, but added he wouldn't hesitate to summon Bumgarner in situations when he needs to conserve his position players.
Bumgarner said he has prepared himself to pinch-hit before something happened to prevent him from striding to the batter's box.
"A lot of times I get ready," Bumgarner said, "but I don't go in."