Bummer Garner

Who does Madison Bumgarner think he is—Travis Pastrana?

I’m a firm believer that April is too soon to panic. With that said, San Francisco can’t be pleased with how the early part of the season has played out. The 6-11 Giants sit in last place in the NL West and have lost all four of Bumgarner’s starts. Bumgarner has been lights out (3.00 ERA, .236 BAA) but San Francisco’s stagnant offense has routinely hung him out to dry. Only two big league starters—Jose Quintana and Ian Kennedy—have received less run support than Bumgarner this year.

It gets worse. Now Bumgarner is facing a 6-8 week absence after bruising his ribs and straining the AC joint in his left shoulder in a dirt bike accident on Thursday. It’s a nightmare scenario for a Giants team that can’t seem to catch a break. The offense is scuffling (.237 team average), the rotation has been a mixed bag and San Francisco’s supposedly revamped bullpen is the same dumpster fire it’s always been. In past years when the Giants have struggled they could usually count on Bumgarner to throw them a life preserver. Now someone else will have to keep the ship from sinking. My advice to Bumgarner: ditch the Kawasaki and go with the Schwinn next time.



See Ya, Starling

In other, non-dirt-bike-related news, the Pirates lost Starling Marte to an 80-game PED suspension on Tuesday. Marte is the biggest name to be suspended for PEDs since Dee Gordon received an identical 80-game ban last season. Marte knew about his failed test in spring training but was allowed to play during the appeals process. In his absence, converted right fielder Andrew McCutchen will head back to his old stomping grounds in center field. Judging by his highlight-reel catch Tuesday against St. Louis, McCutchen can still patrol center with the best of them.

With right field vacated, manager Clint Hurdle has had to get creative in filling out his lineup card. But Hurdle has never been afraid to wave his freak flag. It’s only been three games and he’s already given starts to Adam Frazier, John Jaso and Jose Osuna in right field. One wonders if top prospect Austin Meadows could be a right field option for the Bucs somewhere down the line. The 21-year-old tore it up in Double-A last year but is still settling in at Triple-A. In 52 at-bats for Indianapolis this season, he’s hit just .192 with one homer and six RBI. Meadows’ day in the big leagues will come, but probably not during Marte’s suspension.

Whatever combination of fringe players the Pirates assemble in right field won’t come close to replicating Marte’s masterful production out of the No. 2 spot in Pittsburgh’s lineup. The 28-year-old was quietly the Pirates’ best player last year, leading the team in both batting average (.311) and stolen bases (47). Marte is also known for his defensive prowess, earning Gold Glove Awards in each of his last two seasons. His loss will be felt, both in Pittsburgh and the fantasy realm.