MadBum not excited about universal DH: 'I'll sit there and pitch'

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Madison Bumgarner isn't thrilled about being unable to bust out the lumber this season.

Bumgarner, who owns a career .532 OPS with 19 home runs, is arguably the best hitting pitcher in baseball but won't get his hacks with the designated hitter coming to the National League.

"Obviously, my thoughts don't really matter on that deal," Bumgarner said Saturday, according to Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. "I do what I'm told. I'll sit there and pitch and that's it for now. I think that's obviously where everybody wants the game to go, so it is what it is."

The universal DH has been introduced for the 60-game season to avoid overtaxing pitchers. The American League has been using one since 1973.

There are no formal plans yet to mandate a DH in the NL during the 2021 campaign.