The rumors about Torey Lovullo’s future in Arizona are officially done: the man is staying. The Diamondbacks are bringing him back as manager on a fresh two-year deal, a move that Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic dropped on X, confirming what’s up. This contract also perfectly lines up his tenure with GM Mike Hazen.
The Wild Card Dream That Died Hard
Look, the D-Backs had some fight in them this season, you gotta give ’em that. They scraped together an 86-76 regular season record for 2026, which is respectable, no doubt. For a minute there, it really felt like they had a shot at that third and final NL Wild Card spot. They even put together a monster six-game winning streak that had everyone talking! Seriously, they were right there, breathing down the necks of the Philadelphia Phillies. But in the end, it wasn’t enough. They fell short. Just like that, the postseason dream for 2026 was over.
A Decade At The Helm: What This Extension Means
So, with that kind of ending, you can bet there were whispers, right? Reports were flying around that the D-Backs might actually part ways with their longtime manager. But nope, that’s not happening. This isn’t Lovullo’s first rodeo, either. He took the reins back in 2017, and since then, he’s actually led the squad to two postseason appearances. Remember 2017? They made it to the NLDS, only to get bounced by the Los Angeles Dodgers. And who could forget that incredible run in 2023, where they shocked everyone and made it all the way to the World Series? They put up a valiant effort, but ultimately lost to the Texas Rangers in five games. The guy’s got a winning record in six of his ten seasons, which isn’t nothing.
So, what does this all mean for the Diamondbacks now? They’re clearly banking on Lovullo to get them over that hump, to turn those respectable records and near-misses into actual postseason berths again. With his contract synced up with Hazen, it looks like they’re committed to a long-term vision. They missed out in 2026, but clearly, the front office sees something in his leadership worth betting on for the next two years. Next up for the D-Backs? Well, it’s the offseason grind, getting ready to improve on that 86-76 record and make sure they don’t fall short again.
And speaking of big MLB moments, how about this from around the league: the Mariners’ Josh Naylor made some serious history, joining Hall of Famer George Sisler with rare stolen base MLB history! Pretty wild, right?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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