Bumgarner was released by the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Zach Buchanan of The Athletic reports.
Arizona designated Bumgarner for assignment last Thursday and he is now officially a free agent. He's still owed nearly $36 million guaranteed from the Diamondbacks, but the next team that wants to sign the veteran left-hander can get him for the major-league minimum of $720,000. Over the course of his 69 total starts with Arizona, Bumgarner registered a 5.23 ERA in 363.1 innings. He had a 10.26 ERA through 16.2 frames here in 2023.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Loses roster spot
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks designated Bumgarner for assignment Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
It's a rather shocking move, as Bumgarner is still owed around $36 million from the five-year, $85 million contract that he signed with Arizona back in December 2019. The 33-year-old left-hander had been lit up for 20 runs -- 19 earned -- through 16.2 innings (four starts) this season and heads into DFA limbo with an overall 5.23 ERA in 363.1 total frames (69 starts) as a member of the Diamondbacks. He'll assuredly pass through waivers unclaimed because he still has more than $34 million remaining on his contract, but it's unclear how much interest he'll draw upon reaching free agency. Top prospect Brandon Pfaadt is an exciting possible candidate to fill Bumgarner's now-vacant rotation spot.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Rotation spot to be discussed
Rotowire
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was non-committal following Wednesday's game when responding to questions about Bumgarner's continuation as part of the team's starting rotation, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports. "As we do, with every situation after every start, we group up as a staff and then sit down with the front office and figure out what to do next," the manager said.
This was the second straight post-game news conference during which Lovullo was posed questions about Bumgarner's struggles. Once again, the left-hander's fastball failed to reach 90 mph in Wednesday's 14-5 loss to St. Louis, and he allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks. Bumgarner has a 10.26 ERA with 15 walks over 16.2 innings (four starts). If the Diamondbacks decide to go another way, the most likely candidates to fill in are Triple-A Reno starters Tommy Henry and Brandon Pfaadt.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Struggles early and often in loss
Rotowire
Bumgarner (0-3) took the loss Wednesday, allowing seven runs on seven hits and four walks over three innings against the Cardinals. He struck out two.
Bumgarner allowed three runs in the bottom of the first, and after posting a scoreless second, he served up four more runs in the third, including a two-out, three-run homer to Tommy Edman. The veteran left-hander has given up five or more earned runs in three of his first four starts this season and currently has more walks (15) than strikeouts (10).
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Remains in rotation
Rotowire
Bumgarner (undisclosed) will remain in Arizona's rotation and is scheduled to start Wednesday against the Cardinals, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
Bumgarner has had three consecutive rocky starts to begin the season and made cryptic comments following Friday's start that alluded to an injury. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo contradicted the pitcher's comments but also regretted having the left-hander throw 103 pitches his second time out. "I probably made a mistake in running him up over 100 pitches (in his second start)," the manager said. "Medically there was nothing that we felt like was going to hinder him. He probably could have used a little bit more rest." Bumgarner owns a 7.90 ERA while allowing 18 hits and 11 walks while hitting one batter over 13.2 innings. Things won't get easier against St. Louis, which is hitting .309 with an .825 OPS against left-handed pitching.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Alludes to injury
Rotowire
Bumgarner (0-2), who gave up five earned runs on nine hits and one walk while striking out one in five innings Friday against the Marlins, alluded to pitching through a physical issue after the game, Jody Jackson of Bally Sports Arizona reports.
Many players are playing through some level of general soreness, and that may be what the 33-year-old southpaw is dealing with, but it's indisputable that Bumgarner has been ineffective thus far. He has a 7.90 ERA and more walks (11) than strikeouts (eight) in 13.2 innings through three starts. Were it not for the fact Arizona owes him $37 million this year and next, Bumgarner may have already been jettisoned from the rotation. He should be considered questionable to make his next start. Brandon Pfaadt would be the logical replacement from Triple-A if Bumgarner ends up missing time.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Doesn't last five against Dodgers
Rotowire
Bumgarner didn't factor into the decision Friday after allowing three runs (two earned) over 4.2 innings on five hits against the Dodgers. He walked six and struck out five.
Bumgarner was able to work around his control issues for the most part, but two of the runs he allowed still came on solo homers. The left-hander struggled to throw strikes throughout the contest with just 52 of 103 pitches landing in the strike zone. It is worth mentioning that he felt arm fatigue in his previous outing, so it's possible that was a factor. Bumgarner is lined up to face the Brewers next week, and he'll take a 7.27 ERA into that outing.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Good to start Friday
Rotowire
Bumgarner (arm) said Thursday that he expects to take his next scheduled turn in the Diamondbacks' rotation Friday against the Dodgers, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Bumgarner felt a bit of arm fatigue over the course of his season debut last Saturday against the Dodgers and was lit up for five earned runs on four hits and four walks over four innings. However, an MRI taken Monday showed nothing concerning, and he's since thrown a side session without issue, putting him on track for a rematch with Los Angeles.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Arm checks out fine
Rotowire
Bumgarner's left arm showed no structural damage after undergoing in MRI on Monday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. The left-hander is on track to make his next scheduled start Friday at home against the Dodgers.
Bumgarner was seen talking with trainers during his first start of the season but stayed in the game. After manager Torey Lovullo noticed Bumgarner's velocity down a couple of ticks, the team opted to have the arm checked out and chalked it up to "fatigue." The pitcher plans to throw a between-starts bullpen this week in preparation for Friday's start, his second time facing the Dodgers. In the first start, Bumgarner allowed five runs in four innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Being evaluated in Arizona
Rotowire
Bumgarner has returned to Arizona for further evaluation by the Diamondbacks' medical staff after experiencing left arm fatigue during Saturday's start against the Dodgers, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Bumgarner went four innings and gave up five runs in the loss to the Dodgers while experiencing a 2-mph decrease in fastball velocity. He'll get checked out by the team staff in Phoenix, but the southpaw believes he'll be able to make his next scheduled start Friday in a rematch with Los Angeles. Whether or not Bumgarner actually makes that appearance will likely be determined by what happens during his evaluation back in Arizona.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Begins season with poor outing
Rotowire
Bumgarner (0-1) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, pitching four innings during which he allowed five runs on four hits and four walks while striking out two batters.
While Bumgarner and opposing starter Clayton Kershaw once battled as two of the National League's premier hurlers, the former has seen his performance slip over three seasons since joining Arizona in 2020. Bumgarner's 2023 debut didn't suggest a bounce-back is in the works, as he struggled with his control and was pummeled for five runs in the first inning. The southpaw threw just 49 of 85 pitches for strikes and walked four batters, but the biggest mistake he made was serving up a first-inning grand slam to Trayce Thompson. To Bumgarner's credit, he finished his outing with three straight scoreless innings, though he allowed a baserunner in each of those frames. The veteran is tentatively scheduled to face the Dodgers again -- this time in Arizona -- next week.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Finishes spring
Rotowire
Bumgarner allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings in Monday's spring start against Cleveland.
Bumgarner, who made his third and final Cactus League start, was strong until Cleveland's three-run fifth inning when events went awry. He was beaten to first base on an infield grounder that became a hit, then hit a batter and fired wide to first base on a bunt attempt. The inning snowballed from there. He told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he didn't feel tired but all signs pointed to that as a reason. On a brighter note, Bumgarner showed confidence in his changeup, an offering he threw 10 times and elicited two swings-and-misses. The pitch, which has eluded the left-hander, is something he worked on this spring. "It's got a little bit of movement -- enough movement where it gives me a little more confidence to throw it, especially behind in the count," Bumgarner said. He's scheduled to start Saturday, April 1, on the road against the Dodgers.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Makes second spring start
Rotowire
Bumgarner allowed two hits and two walks while striking out five over 3.1 scoreless innings in Thursday's spring start against the Cubs.
Bumgarner had been scheduled to start one of Wednesday's two games, but rain canceled both and he was pushed to Thursday. It was his second start in the Cactus League, though he also threw 3.2 innings in a "B" game against minor leaguers. On Thursday, the lefty allowed a hit in the first inning and was pulled in the second with one out and the bases loaded to preserve his pitch count and get another up-and-down. The zero runs allowed were due largely the work of reliever Zach McAllister, who escaped the second-inning jam. Bumgarner returned to pitch perfect third and fourth innings.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Works on back field
Rotowire
Bumgarner threw 3.2 scoreless innings in a "B" game Friday against the Cubs, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Facing minor leaguers, Bumgarner allowed four hits and struck out six without issuing a walk. Diamondbacks pitching coach Brent Strom was pleased with the left-hander's curve and offspeed offerings, which the coach feels are the pitcher's best pitches.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Throwing B game Friday
Rotowire
Bumgarner will throw in a "B" game against the Cubs on Friday, Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.
This will be Bumgarner's second spring outing. The left-hander his scheduled to throw four innings and 55 pitches. Prospect Brandon Pfaadt will start Friday's Cactus League game against the Reds.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Makes spring debut
Rotowire
Bumgarner allowed two runs on two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen without a strikeout in Sunday's spring start against Cleveland.
Bumgarner allowed a run in each of his first two innings and saw runners reach base in all three frames of his Cactus League debut. He got a couple of quick outs in the first before a walk and a double produced the Guardians' first run. The left-hander then hit two consecutive batters an inning later, fueling a second run. There's something to be said for getting work with runners on base during spring training, but the performance does little to shake off the fantasy pessimism created by his first three years in Arizona. Bumgarner will be part of the rotation, but the Diamondbacks aren't counting on him as a workhorse starter.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Throws to live batters
Rotowire
Bumgarner faced hitters during a live batting practice session Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
This was Bumgarner's third such session of the spring. His next action will likely be in a Cactus League game, but Arizona manager Torey Lovullo did not indicate when that might occur. Projected members of the rotation are just now making their debuts: Zach Davies started Tuesday and Merrill Kelly is scheduled for Friday.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Shut down for season
Rotowire
Manager Torey Lovullo said Sunday that Bumgarner won't pitch again for the Diamondbacks this season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Bumgarner surrendered one run over six innings his last time out against the Dodgers, and Arizona has decided to end his 2022 campaign on that high note. The veteran left-hander will finish the year with a 4.88 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 112:49 K:BB across 158.2 innings, and the Diamondbacks will take a look at their younger arms during the final days of the regular season. Bumgarner still has two years and $37 million remaining on his contract.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Posts first QS in nearly two months
Rotowire
Bumgarner (7-15) earned the win over the Dodgers on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out five batters over six innings.
Bumgarner came into the game with a 7.82 ERA, 1.80 WHIP and 0-6 record over his previous nine outings. However, he recorded a throwback performance against the division rival Dodgers, allowing just one hit -- a solo homer by Mookie Betts in the fourth inning. Bumgarner tossed 57 of 84 pitches for strikes and posted his highest strikeout total since Aug. 15. The southpaw picked up his first win since July 23, which is also the date of his previous quality start.
... See More... See Less
Diamondbacks' Madison Bumgarner: Staying in rotation
Rotowire
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Bumgarner will remain in the rotation after Friday's 12-3 loss to San Diego, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Bumgarner was cuffed around by the Padres, who hit three home runs off him and 12 balls at a velocity of 95 mph or greater. In the past nine games, the left-hander has a 7.82 ERA, allowing 42 earned runs over 48.1 innings. Lovullo said some members of the six-man rotation will get at least two more starts while others will get three, but he did not go into specifics.
