March 28, 2023 9:22 AM : Bumgarner allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings in Monday's spring start against Cleveland.
Analysis: Bumgarner, who made his third and final Cactus League start, was strong until Cleveland's three-run fifth inning when events went awry. He was beaten to first base on an infield grounder that became a hit, then hit a batter and fired wide to first base on a bunt attempt. The inning snowballed from there. He told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that he didn't feel tired but all signs pointed to that as a reason. On a brighter note, Bumgarner showed confidence in his changeup, an offering he threw 10 times and elicited two swings-and-misses. The pitch, which has eluded the left-hander, is something he worked on this spring. "It's got a little bit of movement - enough movement where it gives me a little more confidence to throw it, especially behind in the count," Bumgarner said. He's scheduled to start Saturday, April 1, on the road against the Dodgers.