Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Madison Bumgarner is being designated for assignment, ending his tenure with the club four years after he became one of the highest-paid MLB players.
Bumgarner, a four-time All-Star selection, signed a five-year contract with Arizona for $85 million during the 2019 offseason. A three-time World Series champion, the Diamondbacks hoped the 6-foot-4 southpaw would replicate his success with the San Francisco Giants.
- Madison Bumgarner stats (2023):
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The 33-year-old veteran has been one of the worst pitchers in MLB since he landed in Arizona. Following Wednesday’s start, Bumgarner held the third-worst ERA (5.23) among qualified pitchers. Over the last four seasons, Bumgarner allowed the fifth-highest batting average (.266) to opponents with the ninth-highest WHIP (1.37).
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, the Diamondbacks designated Bumgarner for assignment on Thursday. The move will cost the organization $34 million, with $20.4 million owed this year.
- Madison Bumgarner stats (2020-’23): 5.23 ERA, 15-32 record, 1.38 WHIP, 66 home runs allowed in 363.1 innings pitched across 69 starts
Arizona’s decision to part ways with Bumgarner follows one of the worst starts in his MLB career. On Wednesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, he allowed seven earned runs and 11 base runners to reach with just nine total outs recorded in a 14-5 loss.
“I wish I had some kind of answers. Not that I’m not gonna look for them — I’m gonna look for them. But right now, I don’t have any for you guys. I wish I did. But I don’t.”
Madison Bumgarner on Wednesday night following his start against the St. Louis Cardinals
Bumgarner is expected to clear waivers, with no MLB teams willing to take on his salary. With 15 seasons in the majors, he will then become a free agent and able to sign with any team for the major league minimum of $720,000.
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On Wednesday, Bumgarner got into a shouting match with Cardinals’ catcher Willson Contreras. He cursed at him multiple times, with teammates getting involved to avoid further escalation. Contreras finished the game with two hits and a walk, raising his OPS to .809.
With multiple MLB teams, including the Milwaukee Brewers, dealing with numerous injuries to their starting rotation, Bumgarner will likely receive plenty of interest in free agency.