PHOENIX — After days of uncertainty surrounding Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo’s future with the club, the D-Backs are planning to retain him — a decision that has drawn mixed reactions from fans.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo looks on from the dugout during their game against the San Francisco Giants on June 29, 2026, at Chase Field in Phoenix. Credit: Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
According to Arizona Sports’ John Gambadoro, Arizona is bringing Lovullo back on a two-year deal. The news also comes after several teams were reportedly interested in Lovullo, including the Seattle Mariners.
But, as with much of the sports news in the state, the decision has drawn a variety of reactions from the Diamondbacks faithful.
On one hand, many fans are happy that the 10-year manager is staying with the club, citing his familiarity with the organization and his continued relationship with general manager Mike Hazen. Hazen is under contract through 2028, with a club option for 2029.
Happy the Dbacks are retaining Torey Lovullo
-Aligns Lovullo & Hazen’s contracts (through 2028)
-Everyone seems to love Torey (locker room, media, etc)
-If Torey wasn’t retained, he 100% would’ve landed another managerial job this offseasonIs he a perfect manager, no. But no… https://t.co/TPwrSBuAVf
— Dalton Feely (@dfeely14) October 1, 2026
I know a lot of people wanted Torey Lovullo gone, but who did you guys even see as a replacement? #dbacks
— Waevy (@SoWaevy) October 1, 2026
However, others believe moving on from Lovullo would have been the best step forward, as the club has failed to return to the postseason since its 2023 World Series run. Arizona missed the playoffs in both 2024 and 2025 before falling short again in 2026.
TOREY LOVULLO IS A SUB .500 MANAGER. IN 10 SEASONS WEVE MADE THE PLAYOFFS TWICE. NOT TO MENTION, LOSING 110 GAMES IN A SINGLE SEASON. WAKE UP #dbacks FANS. WE CANNOT STAND FOR THIS MEDIOCRITY ANYMORE. WE DESERVE BETTER. FIRE HAZEN. END THE REGIME
— Hugh Gewch (@therealGewch) October 1, 2026
Torey Lovullo and Mike Hazen in Arizona:
Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed Playoffs
Missed PlayoffsA much, much deserved 2 year extension for Lovullo.
— Diamondbacks hate account (@FrenchValleyFR) October 1, 2026
“The Arizona Diamondbacks keep manager Torey Lovullo after all and give him a 2-year contract, which coincides with GM Mike Hazen’s deal.” pic.twitter.com/EUx5iPvUM1
— riley☀️ (@valleyriley) October 1, 2026
Lovullo’s journey with the D-Backs hasn’t been linear.
In his first season at the helm in 2017, Lovullo helped Arizona to a 93-69 record and a postseason appearance. The D-Backs defeated the Colorado Rockies in the National League Wild Card Game before being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL Division Series. Lovullo was also named National League Manager of the Year that season.
The club would then struggle to find consistency. That included a disastrous 2021 season in which Arizona went 52-110.
Arizona Diamondbacks head coach Torey Lovullo talks to the media before they play the Philadelphia Phillies for Game 6 of their NLCS at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Oct. 23, 2023.
In 2023, Lovullo once again helped the Diamondbacks reach the playoffs. Arizona went 84-78 during the regular season before making a surprising run through the National League, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies to win the NL pennant and advance to the World Series. The D-Backs ultimately lost the World Series to the Texas Rangers in five games.
Since then, however, Arizona has been unable to return to the postseason. The D-Backs went 89-73 in 2024, 80-82 in 2025 and 86-76 in 2026, but each season ended without a playoff berth.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo smiles in the dugout before their World Series Game 4 of the World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers at Chase Field in Phoenix on October 31, 2023. The DBacks lost to the Rangers 11-7, putting the Ranger at 3-1 in the World Series.
That recent history helps explain the divide among fans. Lovullo has led the organization through some of the highest and lowest points in franchise history, from a 110-loss season to a National League pennant.
Now, with the two-year extension keeping him in Arizona through at least 2028, the focus shifts to whether Lovullo and the D-Backs can turn their recent regular-season success into another postseason run.
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Wendy Lopez is a reporter for Burn City Sports. You can follow her on her X account, @wlopezde
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