Madison Bumgarner to make D-backs return in San Francisco on Saturday
Sep 2, 2020, 4:47 PM | Updated: 4:47 pm
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws during an intrasquad baseball game at practice Tuesday, July 14, 2020, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)
(AP Photo/Matt York)
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announced Wednesday that ace Madison Bumgarner will be returning from the injured list on Saturday in San Francisco against the Giants.
Bumgarner was placed on the 10-day injured list Aug. 10 due to a mid-back strain after suffering back spasms in his last outing the day prior. The left-hander threw 85 pitches in a simulated game on Aug. 30.
That will be Bumgarner’s first start in San Francisco as a member of the opposition after spending his first 11 seasons with the Giants.
“He’s such a competitor and he’s so engaged that I know it’s not gonna bother him,” Lovullo said. “I know there’s going to be some familiarity which will be nice for him I’m sure since it’s the mound he took for 7-8 years. That’s where I think he’ll draw a little bit of comfort but I know that he’ll stand anywhere on any mound and go out and compete the same way so I think it’ll be a non-factor for him.”
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The D-backs’ starting rotation is in flux after both Bumgarner and Merrill Kelly got hurt.
Kelly was placed on the 45-day injured list on Tuesday, ending his season. Alex Young and Taylor Clarke have been the temporary replacements for those two, while another spot has to be filled after the team traded Robbie Ray to Toronto on Monday. That, assumingly, will round out the rotation to Bumgarner, Zac Gallen, Luke Weaver, Young and Clarke.
On the season, Bumgarner is 0-3 with a 9.35 ERA through four starts.
