Report: Bumgarner may not return until early August

The San Francisco Giants reside in the basement of the National League West and to make matters worse, they could be without their ace longer than initially expected.

The club hoped Madison Bumgarner would return from a shoulder injury around the July 10-13 All-Star break, though the left-hander might not return until early August, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Gate.

Bumgarner has been sidelined since late April after suffering a Grade 2 left shoulder sprain and bruised ribs when he fell off a rented dirt bike.

Shea added that the Giants hope Bumgarner could begin playing catch in late May.

The four-time All-Star went 0-3 with a 3.00 ERA and 1.07 WHIP with 28 strikeouts in four starts before landing on the disabled list.