DENVER _ After tossing 3 2/3 dominant innings for Triple-A Sacramento on Saturday, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner appeared to be on the fast track back to the big leagues.
The track is still speedier than the one he initially planned to take during his rehab assignment, but Bumgarner will stop at one more station before arriving at AT&T Park.
The left-hander will start Thursday for Single-A San Jose and is expected to return to the Giants rotation toward the end of the next homestand. If Bumgarner pitches on regular rest, he'll face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday, June 5 at 7:15.
Manager Bruce Bochy said the Giants expect Bumgarner to throw 70-to-75 pitches in his final rehab start so he can return to the rotation close to full strength.
"It just gives him another start to where he can be a little more stretched out so we don't have to be so careful with him," Bochy said. "He had one start down there, and if you go back, we talked about three so he's ahead of schedule."
Bumgarner fractured his pinky on a line drive hit by Royals leadoff hitter Whit Merrifield on March 23 in his final spring training tuneup. He had three pins placed in his pitching hand and didn't face hitters for the first time until Bumgarner threw in a live batting practice setting last Tuesday in Houston.
But after Bumgarner struck out eight hitters in fewer than four innings of work, the Giants considered having him return to face the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday at AT&T Park.
"He was really where he needs to be as far as his delivery and command of all of his pitches," Bochy said. "He even said after he threw to hitters (in Houston) his secondary pitches were sharper than he anticipated. That's why he's coming up earlier than we anticipated."
If Bumgarner pitches on regular rest Tuesday, he could throw again when the Giants travel to Washington, D.C. to face the Nationals on Sunday. Doing so would set him up to face the Dodgers on Friday, June 15 in Los Angeles in the first game of a three-game set.
However, the Giants also have an off day Thursday, June 7 and could keep the rotation in line so Bumgarner makes his second start with the Giants Monday, June 11 in Miami. That schedule would give him an extra day of rest between starts and still allow him to match up with the Dodgers.
