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Something is clearly wrong with former San Francisco Giants ace Madison Bumgarner.
In his fourth start of the season Sunday, Bumgarner gave up four home runs in the first two innings against the San Diego Padres, including two to third baseman Manny Machado.
The left-hander’s fastball velocity is turning into a serious concern for the Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed Bumgarner to a five-year, $85 million deal this offseason.
Bumgarner’s fastball topped out at 87.7 miles per hour in the first two innings of Sunday’s game, which is significantly lower than the 90-to-92 mile per hour fastball he threw during the final seasons of his tenure with the Giants. Following a pair of homers from Machado, one from Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. and another from notorious Giants killer Wil Myers, Bumgarner’s ERA climbed to 9.35.
In his first 17 1/3 innings this season, Bumgarner has now allowed seven home runs and has yet to throw six innings in a start.
Giants broadcaster Duane Kuiper announced Bumgarner’s stat line during the Giants-Dodgers matchup on Sunday and said, “Something’s not right with one of our favorites.”
The start of the 2020 season isn’t the first time Bumgarner has dealt with diminished fastball velocity, but he’s never consistently struggled to hit 90 miles per hour.
After injuring his left shoulder in a dirt bike accident in 2018 and dealing with a broken finger in his pitching hand in 2019, Bumgarner returned to the mound as soon as possible and saw his velocity drop into the high 80s and low 90s. In both seasons, Bumgarner’s average fastball velocity ended up improving after he made several starts, but that won’t alleviate any of Arizona’s immediate concerns.
The D’backs are scheduled to face the Giants in San Francisco from August 21-23, but it appears as if a return to Oracle Park is now in jeopardy for Bumgarner who could soon land on the injured list if Arizona’s medical staff discovers an injury is contributing to his poor performances.
The Giants also face the D’backs August 28-30 in Arizona before hosting them for a four-game set from September 4-7.
Bumgarner’s early showings in Arizona are reminiscent of Jason Schmidt’s first starts with the Los Angeles Dodgers after the former Giants great signed a three-year, $47 million deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2007 season.
Schmidt posted a 7.01 ERA in six starts in his first season with the Dodgers as he dealt with a serious shoulder injury that caused him to miss the entire 2008 season. The right-hander only appeared in four games in 2009 before being placed on the injured list, which marked the end of his career.
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