GIANTS
MadBum on DL
DENVER -- San Francisco Giants ace left-hander Madison Bumgarner was placed on the disabled list for the first time in his big league career Friday after a dirt bike accident that sent him to a hospital with bruised ribs and a sprained joint in his pitching shoulder.
San Francisco announced Bumgarner's injury Friday, a day after the accident occurred during an off day in Colorado. The Giants said Bumgarner is out of the hospital and resting at the team hotel. He is scheduled to be re-evaluated next week.
"I think the main thing is you have to be grateful he's not hurt worse than he is," Giants catcher Buster Posey said. "I don't know the timetable, I'm not sure anybody does. Just thankful he's not hurt any worse."
Also Friday, Manager Bruce Bochy rejoined the team. Bochy missed a two-game series at Kansas City following a heart procedure.
Bumgarner, 27, the 2014 World Series MVP, is 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA in four 2017 starts.
Bumgarner has received just five total runs of support in his first four starts, including one run or none in three of them -- and he homered twice to drive in two of those.
"We ought to just look forward and go out and play hard baseball and hopefully he'll be back before too long," Posey said.
RANGERS
Hamilton's career over?
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Texas Rangers released Josh Hamilton from his minor league contract Friday after another knee injury, perhaps signaling the end of the 2010 AL MVP's career.
Team spokesman John Blake said Hamilton injured his right knee while recovering from left knee surgery and will have a procedure on the newly injured knee at some point.
Hamilton, who turns 36 next month, underwent reconstructive surgery on his left knee last June and left the team during spring training for another procedure after experiencing soreness.
The procedure during spring training was the 11th of Hamilton's career and third since the five-time All-Star last played in the majors in 2015.
Griffin has gout
Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with gout in his left ankle. Griffin was scheduled to start today's game against the Kansas City Royals. The Rangers did not make a corresponding roster move prior to Friday's game.
Griffin (2-0) is eligible to come off the DL April 28. Nick Martinez is a leading candidate to rejoin the club from Class AAA Round Rock to help fill the void.
Griffin has a 4.11 ERA in three starts this season, including six scoreless innings Monday in Oakland.
ROYALS
Pair off to Omaha
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The Kansas City Royals have optioned second baseman Raul Mondesi and right fielder Paulo Orlando to Class AAA Omaha after slow starts and brought up outfielder Jorge Bonifacio to make his major league debut.
The Royals also recalled reliever Matt Strahm on Friday following four scoreless outings with Omaha. The left-hander had given up 7 runs in 11/3 innings over 3 appearances for Kansas City before he was sent down April 11.
Mondesi, 21, son of former major leaguer Raul Mondesi, is hitting .103 (4 of 39) with 16 strikeouts, tied for the team lead, and Orlando is at .149 with 15 Ks. Both went hitless in a 1-0 loss in 13 innings at Texas on Thursday.
Bonifacio, 23, hit .314 with 3 home runs and 12 RBI in 13 games with Omaha. He was batting eighth and playing right field against the Rangers.
CUBS
Most popular jersey
NEW YORK -- Kris Bryant has the most popular jersey in baseball. The Chicago Cubs third baseman has taken over that spot from retired Boston Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz.
The commissioner's office and players' association also said Friday that the Cubs had four of the five most popular jerseys following their first title since 1908.
First baseman Anthony Rizzo is second, infielder Javier Baez is fourth and left fielder Kyle Schwarber fifth.
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw is third, the same position he held behind Ortiz and Mike Trout in the list released during last summer's All-Star break.
Baez and Schwarber are new to the top 20 along with Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (seventh), New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (ninth), Boston right fielder Mookie Betts (14th) and Cleveland shortstop Francisco Lindor (16th).
Also among the top 10 are New York Mets pitcher Noah Syndergaard (sixth), San Francisco catcher Buster Posey (eighth) and Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout (10th).
The average age of players in the top 20 is 26.5, more than 1.5 years younger than any previous list.
Sports on 04/22/2017