Bumgarner removed after taking line drive off hand

For the second time in three days, the San Francisco Giants watched one of their key starters exit the game due to an injury.

Ace Madison Bumgarner departed Friday's start against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning after he was hit in the left hand by a Whit Merrifield line drive.

(Video courtesy: MLB.com)

Bumgarner attempted to finish off the play but was unable to record the out and walked off the field with a member of the training staff.

The four-time All-Star was making his final start of the spring.

After tossing at least 200 innings in six straight seasons, Bumgarner was limited to 111 last year after injuring his shoulder during a dirt biking accident.

The Giants rotation depth is already thin, as the club announced earlier Friday that Jeff Samardzija will be shut down for a week after suffering a strained right pectoral muscle.