The Ain’t No Fang Podcast: What’s going on with Madison Bumgarner?

Aug 25, 2022, 8:29 PM

P Madison Bumgarner

For the first time since 2019, Bumgarner will not be the team's Opening Day starter. The veteran hurler is looking to bounce back after posting a 7-12 mark in 2022.

(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

BY STEVE ZINSMEISTER AND CODY FINCHER

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo announced that the Diamondbacks will be skipping Madison Bumgarner’s turn in the starting rotation. He will be working on tweaking some things with pitching coach Brent Strom.

Lovullo added that this was a “performance-based decision.”

That is something that happens to rookies and young guys. Not a World Series MVP.

Let’s be honest. Bumgarner hasn’t been good lately. In his last five starts, he has a 7.53 ERA and opponents are hitting .339 against him. Something is up.

In the short term, this is not a big deal. It’s not like they are shutting him down for the rest of the season. However, it raises important questions for the long-term outlook of this team.

Will Bumgarner be underwhelming again next season when he earns $23 million dollars, a salary that is more than double the next highest on the team (Ketel Marte at $11 million)?

In this week’s episode of The Ain’t No Fang Podcast, Steve Zinsmeister and Cody Fincher evaluate Bumgarner’s performance and possible future in Arizona.