SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. _ Giants' ace Madison Bumgarner was forced to exit his final spring training start after being hit by a line drive Friday.
In the top half of the third inning, Bumgarner took a line drive from Royals' leadoff hitter Whit Merrifield off of what appeared to be his pitching hand.
Giants' trainer Dave Groeschner and manager Bruce Bochy went to the mound to examine Bumgarner, who walked off the field and left the game.
Bumgarner is slated to make his fifth career Opening Day start on Thursday at Dodger Stadium, but those plans could change if his injury is serious.
The Giants' rotation could take a hit for the second day in a row, as the team learned Thursday it is losing No. 3 starter Jeff Samardzija due to a strained right pectoral muscle. It's unclear how much time Samardzija will miss.
