Lovullo stays as D-backs manager with two-year extension

The Arizona Diamondbacks extended manager Torey Lovullo with a two-year contract on October 1, 2026, keeping him in place for an 11th season. The move resolves a period of uncertainty after the team narrowly missed the postseason with an 86-76 record, despite navigating significant injuries to key players.

Lovullo holds the franchise record for both tenure and wins as a Diamondbacks manager, per MLB.com. The contract marks his second extension under GM Mike Hazen, who hired him before the 2017 season. Lovullo previously signed a three-year extension after Arizona's run to the 2023 World Series.

Lovullo's overall record with the Diamondbacks stands at 750-768, according to MLB.com. Excluding the 2021 season (when the team went 52-110), his record is 698-658 over nine full seasons, not counting the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign. In that span, the Diamondbacks finished above .500 six times and were two games under .500 last year.

No discussions between Lovullo and the front office about a contract extension were reported during the 2026 season, leaving his status unresolved until the end. After the season-ending loss, Lovullo said he did not know his standing: "I have some decisions to make. I have some things to think about, as do the D-backs, and where it goes from here, I don't know," per MLB.com. He also stated then that "My status should be minimized inside of that clubhouse."

Lovullo expressed his commitment to the organization after the season. "I love Arizona, and the people and the fans are spectacular. The group that I work for is amazing. I love being around them every single day, and I don't want that to change. And I want to win a world championship with this organization," he said, according to MLB.com.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado offered support for Lovullo's performance amid the team's shortfall. "I think Torey is great. I think he had some tough things he had to deal with this year, and I thought he did a great job with them," Arenado said per MLB.com. On the team's narrow miss, Arenado said: "You know, at the end of the day, it's always on the players, and I think us as players, we just didn't do a good enough job when we had a chance to take care of business. It's on us."

Lovullo is known for his communication with players at all levels. Minor league players have reported receiving text messages from him complimenting their performance, per MLB.com's reporting.