JUNE 3, 6:21 pm: Bumgarner will go on the 10-day injured list after all. The team announced they’ve recalled Humberto Castellanos to replace him on the active roster.
JUNE 3, 4:35 pm: The MRI revealed shoulder inflammation, Lovullo told reporters (including Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic). It doesn’t seem there’s much cause for concern, as the manager says the organization is hoping Bumgarner will avoid the injured list altogether.
JUNE 2: Madison Bumgarner has discomfort in his left shoulder and will go for an MRI tonight, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (including Zach Buchanan of the Athletic). It’s an issue he’s been pitching through for 2-3 weeks, Bumgarner himself said (via Bob Nightengale of USA Today).
Perhaps not coincidentally, Bumgarner’s last four starts have been disastrous. The 31-year-old began the season with three poor games, but he seemed to flip a switch before his April 18 outing against the Nationals. Beginning with that start in Washington, Bumgarner worked to a brilliant 0.90 ERA with incredible strikeout and walk numbers (32.4% and 1.9%, respectively) over his next five outings.
Unfortunately for Bumgarner and the D-Backs, that superlative level of play vanished almost as quickly as it appeared. Over his last four starts (including today’s work against the Mets), the southpaw has only managed a 10.13 ERA with thirteen strikeouts and eight walks over sixteen frames. Bumgarner’s velocity hasn’t been dramatically different recently, although the injury could have contributed to the downturn in his performance in some other way.
Today’s loss dropped the Diamondbacks to a woeful 20-37, and it’s become increasingly apparent Arizona will wind up selling off veteran players as we get closer to the July 30 trade deadline. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams examined earlier today, it looks like it’ll be tough to find a taker for Bumgarner, who is due the balance of a $19MM salary this year, with successive figures of $23MM, $23MM and $14MM over the following three seasons. If Bumgarner now winds up requiring an injured list stint, that’d only further decrease the chances there’ll be suitors for the four-time All-Star in the coming months.
RIP
Goat
Nope
Where’s that guy who was mad that the Lorenzo Cain injury article took too long? He must be livid.
‘lil Stevie Whiny Pants.
Anyway, my voodoo doll on Molina got Garver by mistake. But my Flaherty doll came thru like a champ.
Just wait until the Kershaw back voodoo doll wakes up…again.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Molina’s already been Garvered. You got greedy.
I’ll keep using my Cubs fanbase doll. It works 111/112 times.
Well, we wouldn’t want these millionaires to suffer from “discomfort”.
Yeah, REAL TOUGH GUYS allow themselves to get hurt while at work! He gets paid millions of dollars, he should sacrifice his physical health for OUR ENTERTAINMENT!
He’s a dingus.
It’s not even that entertaining anymore but still eat the rich right
“Discomfort” is always used to understate what’s truly going on. It’s a way to report something wrong without speculation.
Quite the season for MadBum so far:
First 3 starts: 11.24 ERA
Next 5 starts: 0.90 ERA
Last 3 starts: 8.36 ERA
His WHIP was pretty good for a starter
Last years abbreviated slate also showed some dramatic cold-then-hot performances for MadBum. He was mediocre in his first two starts – then just awful for the next five – before finishing the abbreviated season with two absolutely brilliant dominating starts.
Interestingly though, they only let him go five innings in each of those final two starts, which was maybe a sign that they had concerns about his health and durability? – even with the season coming to a close and no need to keep him “fresh” for any additional starts that year.
Dbacks should put him on the Blake Snell rule, 4-5 innings max.
In the hot streak of five starts: 34 K, 2 BB. In the other 6 starts: 28 K, 16 BB.
It was like he thought he was in the World Series for a small window there. When he’s on, he’s really really on.
If MadBum goes on the IL, that will mean the entire 5 man Dbacks starting rotation is or has been on the IL during the first two months of the season. Plus the Closer and the 3 primary setup men in the bullpen are or have been on the IL this season. At least 3 of those 9 pitchers are on the 60 day IL. Plus 6 of the 8 starters on offense are or have been on the IL. No excuses, just time to let the young guys fill in.
The Dbacks are not a well-run organization.
You must live in Arizona also ! As a Brave fan since 1959 never took interest in Dbacks.
Farhan Zaidi smiles smugly…
Never commit long-term money to a 10 year starter approaching 30,000 pitches. Sure, there are exceptions to this rule (currently, Justin Verlander stands out) but, all in all, if you track where a long-time starter begins to break down and fail, it’s right around the 30,000 pitch count.
You make an excellent point. I also firmly believe a major factor in the Giants not attempting to bring him back was that he never really was the same pitcher after that dirt bike accident.
Interesting theory, I like it.
Bumgarner is a lefty though, and they can hang around a little longer.
I’m noticing most pitchers having stat declines around pitch 30k.
Greinke has thrown 47k somehow, that dude is a freak.
@Radio Pirate & @cryptonerd
Where are you guys finding these career pitch totals?
Merci.
Baseball references, click advanced pitching stats and then find them under pitch summary
My man.
Noted. Thank you.
Excellent point. Although reportedly Zaidi offered Bumgarner a 4 year deal at $17M annually. But that might just have been for optics, after news of Arizona’s more lucrative deal broke.
If Arizona took on half Bumgarner’s salary, and throws in a quality minor league prospect…. Who knows: MadBum could don the orange and black again. Never say never. Wonder if the Giants are on Madison’s 5 team no-trade list.
I’d say he is on the Giants no-trade for list.
He also won SF 2 WS titles. That should earn u 25 a season as a 5th starter for as long as u want to play. SF has the cap while paying cueto 21 mil and he’s 36 years old.
Take care of your team legends !
He won 3 WS with the Giants and I’m still OK letting him walk. You always want to be a year too early letting a player go rather than a year too late. The Giants are playing great right now. Bum would be weighing them down.
terrible contract
Better remove his name from the list of pitchers to trade for. He wasn’t very effective this year anyway.
Stick a fork in him! He’s done!
He’s likely thrown his last pitch.
Ugh….lots of dead cash in this contract.
A Dback trait.
They may miss the NLCS if he’s on the IL!!!
Funny that you would say that. We had a Braves poster here, Ian whatever his name is, once post that the Braves won’t make the NLCS unless they go after Bumgarner when he was a free agent. Tied it into his screen name for MLBTR and everything.
This was just an AWESOME signing.
Bumgartnet will avoid the IL but hit the DL
Hmm, has a team ever forfeited mid season? And I don’t mean trotted all their young bucks out there to eat up innings while tanking to get into a draft pick pole position. I mean walked off the field after a game and during the postgame conference the GM alongside the president and manager just said ‘Nah, we’re done. We’ll see you in March’
Maybe the dbacks will make history this year…
Yes, the white flag chicago white Sox, tho that was the owner.
And I thought only Philadelphia Sports teams signed players to regrettable contracts. Whew! He has one hell of a good agent. Even my Phillies knew better….
Diamondbacks don’t do well in FA. They make splashes and they all turn into doodoo
NoMadbumequalsnoNLCS
Nobody really thinks Brenly’s leave is voluntary do you? Come on Stroman, grow up. You’re making millions, and Brenly is still trying to convince himself he’s relevant. Let it go!