CLICK HERE if you’re having trouble viewing media on a mobile device.
For most of his 10-year career in San Francisco, left-handed starter Madison Bumgarner was among the most durable pitchers in baseball.
Even when Bumgarner did miss time on the injured list, the issues he dealt with weren’t the types of problems that ail most pitchers.
Less than three weeks into his five-year, $85 million contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 31-year-old Bumgarner is headed to the 10-day injured list with a mid-back strain. D’backs general manager Mike Hazen announced the roster move to the team’s beat reporters Monday.
Bumgarner’s stint on the injured list comes a day after he lasted just two innings in a horrendous outing against the San Diego Padres in which he gave up four home runs, including two to third baseman Manny Machado. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters postgame that Bumgarner attempted to gut his way through the outing, but was obviously ineffective during his short time on the mound.
Mike Hazen said he doesn't expect Bumgarner to be out very long. Said his scans were pretty good. Most likely to fill in are Taylor Clarke, Taylor Widener or Alex Young https://t.co/eiRHAv2gwa
— Zach Buchanan (@ZHBuchanan) August 10, 2020
In four starts with Arizona this season, the former Giants ace has posted a 9.35 ERA, giving up 18 earned runs and seven home runs in 17 1/3 innings. Bumgarner’s fastball velocity has hovered around 86-to-89 miles per hour, which is clearly a concern for a pitcher accustomed to hitting 90-to-92 miles per hour during his final seasons in San Francisco.
When Bumgarner hit free agency last offseason, there were serious questions as to how long he would remain a durable starter capable of throwing 200 innings per season. The left-hander worked more than 1,800 regular season innings during his 10 seasons with the Giants, topping 200 innings in seven separate seasons including in 2019.
The D’backs were the team to take a five-year gamble on Bumgarner, causing many Giants fans to criticize president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi for failing to do more to keep a franchise legend in San Francisco.
Hazen told D’backs reporters Monday he doesn’t expect Bumgarner to be out very long and that scans of his back suggested the left-hander isn’t dealing with a significant injury. In some ways, it’s good news that Bumgarner could return to the Arizona rotation in the near future, but it may also be concerning that his velocity dip isn’t the product of a more serious issue.
Bumgarner was only placed on the injured list twice in his Giants career, including once in 2017 after he sustained a left shoulder injury while riding a dirt bike in Colorado. Bumgarner also opened the 2018 season on the injured list after a line drive up the middle fractured his pitching hand during his final spring training start.
SF Giants Gameday: Listen to the Bay Area News Group’s daily San Francisco Giants podcast, hosted by our beat reporter Kerry Crowley. We give you an all-access look at the 2020 regular season with soundbites from manager Gabe Kapler and your favorite Giants players plus the latest analysis on every move during an unprecedented season.
We Need Your Support!
Several Giants articles will remain free every 30 days – and I’ve launched a free newsletter and podcast that come Monday-Friday – but for access to all of my coverage you’ll need to subscribe to MercuryNews.com or EastBayTimes.com. Click here for our latest Mercury News offer and here for the latest East Bay Times offer. Thank you! — Kerry Crowley
