The Arizona Diamondbacks are fighting for a playoff berth in the 2026 MLB postseason, and according to one writer, manager Torey Lovullo is fighting for his job. USA TODAY Sports' Bob Nightengale recently wrote that the Diamondbacks manager "barring a dramatic change, likely must make the playoffs to keep his job." He added: "He was saved once before by GM Mike Hazen, who is close friends with Lovullo, but Hazen may be unable to stop a firing this time if the D-backs miss the playoffs for the eighth time in the past nine years with a franchise-high payroll." Is Lovullo really on the hot seat with Arizona? Nightengale pointed out that Lovullo is in the final year of his contract with the team. But the Diamondbacks were just one game out of a wild-card berth entering MLB games on Aug. 17. An argument can be made that Arizona has overachieved this season amid injuries, with the team also showing a lot of drive and hope to compile a 66-59 record amid serious questions about that team's roster construction entering the season. More: Diamondbacks at Red Sox updates. 2 major roster pieces return from IL
What Torey Lovullo said about his status as Diamondbacks manager Lovullo addressed his "hot-seat" status before the season in an interview with The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro. “I can’t disagree with how they’ve handled things,” Lovullo said in a recent phone interview, referring to owner Ken Kendrick, team president Derrick Hall and general manager Mike Hazen. “We lost 110 games (in 2021), and I probably should have been fired and wasn’t. "We haven’t made the playoffs in two years and there was talk of me being dismissed, and I wasn’t. I kind of feel like I deserve to be in the position I’m in — and I have a lot to prove this year.” Lovullo and the Diamondbacks have 37 games left in the regular season to prove themselves, and perhaps to land a new contract for the manager, who is 730-751 in 10 seasons at the helm of Arizona's MLB team. “If I worry about the things I can’t control, worry about the pressures that are externally on me, I’m wasting my time and I’m not going to be present for the players,” Lovullo told The Republic in February. “That’s all I care about is being present for the players and doing right by everybody that’s inside of that building every single day.” Lovullo added: “Control the controllable things; that’s been my conclusion. I don’t feel any more or less urgency. Every year for me is a new challenge. And I get a report card at the end of the year, as I should.” Do you think the Diamondbacks will have to make the playoffs for Lovullo to keep his job as Diamondbacks manager? We might not have to wait long to find out.
Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff. Support local journalism: Subscribe to azcentral.com today. Sign up for azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: It's time, apparently, for 'hot seat' views on Diamondbacks' Lovullo