(Phoenix) The Arizona Diamondbacks have assigned veteran left-handed pitcher Madison Bumgarner for assignment after another sluggish outing.
The maneuver removed Bumgarner from the team’s 40-man roster. Also, the Diamondbacks have seven days to trade Bumgarner or put his name on waivers.
The Diamondbacks’ decision, announced Thursday, comes about 24 hours after Bumgarner gave up seven runs in three innings against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Voted Most Valuable Player of the 2014 World Series while playing for the San Francisco Giants, Bumgarner has failed to live up to expectations since signing a five-year, $85 contract. million US with the Diamondbacks in 2020.
A four-time All-Star in his career, Bumgarner has a 15-32 overall record and a 5.23 ERA in 69 starts since joining the Diamondbacks. Until now, he had his worst campaign with the team.
The 33-year-old veteran has allowed at least five runs in three of his four starts in 2023. His record is 1-3 and his ERA is 10.26 following his most recent underperformance.
“I’d like some answer,” Bumgarner said after Wednesday’s game. “Not because I’m not going to try to find some—I’m going to try to find some.” But right now, I don’t have any for you. I would like to have some. But I don’t. »
The Diamondbacks owe Bumgarner approximately $34.4 million for the remainder of his contract, including $20.4 million this season. If he is not claimed on waivers, he will be able to sign a contract with the team of his choice for a proportionate share of the league minimum of $720,000.
Bumgarner was one of the best pitchers in major league baseball for 11 seasons with the Giants, winning the World Series on three occasions.
He hit the 200 innings pitched mark in seven of those campaigns, and had 16 playoff outings, including a memorable five-inning save in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.