SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- In 2016, the Giants had three starters pitch more than 200 innings: Madison BumgarnerJeff Samardzija and Johnny Cueto. None of them came close to that goal last year. Bumgarner missed the first two months of the season with a fractured left hand, while Samardzija and Cueto combined to make only 19 starts due to shoulder and elbow injuries, respectively.

Cueto is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2019 season while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, but Bumgarner and Samardzija are now healthy and poised to be key pillars in the Giants’ starting rotation. But they will enter the regular season with notably different expectations concerning their workloads.

Bumgarner intends to reassert himself as the Giants’ workhorse and is aiming to eclipse the 200-inning mark for the seventh time in his career and the first since 2016. As the incumbent ace, Bumgarner won't be held back, and the Giants will allow him to pitch as deep into games as possible.

"In my case, I look to throw 200-plus every year," Bumgarner said. "That part has definitely changed a lot, but I don't think it's any less valuable by any means. If anything, it's the other way. If someone is effective throwing 200 innings, why would you not want him out there?”