SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants ace Madison Bumgarner will resume throwing Friday, according to the latest update that manager Bruce Bochy issued Sunday.
Bumgarner, who bruised his ribs and sprained a joint in his left (throwing) shoulder in a dirt-bike accident near Denver on a scheduled off-day April 20, will begin regaining his form by simply playing catch. He must gradually rebuild his arm strength before he can start throwing off a mound.
When Bumgarner reaches that stage, Bochy said, the four-time All-Star will make five starts on a Minor League injury rehabilitation assignment before returning to the Giants.
All of this, of course, is subject to change, depending on whether Bumgarner can avoid physical setbacks.
Bumgarner initially was expected to return to the Giants after the July 10-13 All-Star break. Bochy would not say whether this remained the endpoint of Bumgarner's timetable for recovery.
Bumgarner was 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts before being injured. The Giants will open a three-game series in Philadelphia when Bumgarner is expected to start his throwing regimen.
• Third baseman Conor Gillaspie's MRI showed he has inflammation in his lower back, which interrupted his injury rehab stint. Bochy said Gillaspie, who went on the 10-day disabled list May 11 with back spasms, will rest for a couple of days before resuming his recovery program. He hit .133 in 26 regular-season games before being sidelined.