Giants right-hander Jeff Samardzija is expected to miss three to four weeks of the regular season with a pectoral strain, according to manager Bruce Bochy.
The news came on the heels of another major injury development in San Francisco's starting rotation. Madison Bumgarner sustained a fracture on the fifth metacarpal of his pitching hand, which he said will sideline him for six to eight weeks.
Samardzija posted a 4.42 ERA in 32 starts for the Giants last season, though his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) was nearly a full run lower, at 3.61. He also led the National League with 207 2/3 innings pitched and 1.4 walks per nine innings. Samardzija has been durable throughout his career; he made at least 32 starts in each of the past five seasons.
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The pectoral strain might explain Samardzija's 10.64 ERA over four Cactus League starts. He walked seven and surrendered six home runs over 11 innings.
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With Bumgarner and Samardzija headed for the disabled list to open the regular season, a Giants club that seeks to contend in a tough National League West following its worst season in more than three decades will be without two of its top three starters on Opening Day.
Johnny Cueto, who will now presumably be San Francisco's Opening Day starter, also missed time in 2017 due to an elbow injury.
In an effort to bolster the club this offseason, particularly on offense, the Giants traded for former All-Stars Andrew McCutchen and Evan Longoria, and also signed free-agent center fielder Austin Jackson.