The San Francisco Giants may forgo the designated hitter and allow Madison Bumgarner to hit when they begin a series against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

"Too early to commit," Bruce Bochy said.

Bumgarner, who is the leading home run hitter among active pitchers with 13, is hitting .175 with two home runs and five RBIs this season.

The Athletics are scheduled to start left-hander Dillon Overton against Bumgarner, which would allow the right-handed batter to be more effective.

No Major League team has refused the DH when available since the Chicago White Sox in 1976, according to the Bay Area News Group.