Mar 4, 2016; Goodyear, AZ, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner (40) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner missed his scheduled spring training start Sunday because of two minor injuries.
The left-hander was scratched from the Cactus League start against the San Diego Padres with a nerve issue in his left foot and rib-cage pain on his right side.
Bumgarner said he could have pitched if it were a regular-season game and he will be ready for his Opening Day start against the Milwaukee Brewers at Milwaukee on April 4.
Bumgarner, who made two starts and raised his pitch count to about 50 this spring, said he could miss another start.
“It’s not anything too serious,” Bumgarner said in Scottsdale, Ariz. “We just don’t want it to turn into something serious.”
—Catcher Matt Wieters of the Baltimore Orioles complained of right elbow soreness and was removed from Saturday’s exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins after one inning.
During that inning behind the plate, Wieters threw high on a stolen-base attempt by Minnesota’s Eduardo Nunez.
Manager Buck Showalter said X-rays were taken but no problem was revealed. He indicated that the 29-year-old catcher would be re-evaluated Monday.
“Doctors examined him,” Showalter said. “I think everybody gets alarmed because of, rightfully so, with the surgery there. Hopefully, it’ll manage and be OK.”
Wieters had Tommy John surgery in 2014.
—The Washington Nationals, as expected, confirmed right-hander Max Scherzer as their Opening Day starter.
Scherzer, who signed a seven-year, $210 million contract before last season, lost the first game last season to the New York Mets at Nationals Park.
The 31-year-old Scherzer finished 14-12 with a 2.79 ERA and 276 strikeouts over 228 2/3 innings in 33 starts last year.
Scherzer became the sixth pitcher to throw two no-hitters in a season — against the Pittsburgh Pirates on June 20 and in his final start against the Mets on Oct. 3.
