Lovullo’s two-year return

The Diamondbacks announced Thursday that Torey Lovullo will return as manager on a two-year deal, confirming the agreement reported earlier in the day. MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reported the team announcement in a new account published Thursday evening. Lovullo will enter his 11th season with Arizona.

Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic first reported the two-year term, and AP baseball writer David Brandt independently confirmed it with a person who had direct knowledge of the agreement before the club’s announcement.

General manager Mike Hazen addressed the decision at Thursday’s news conference. AZFamily reported that Hazen took responsibility for Arizona’s postseason miss and defended the staff’s work through injuries and roster shortcomings.

Manager and general manager share a contract horizon

Piecoro reported that the new term aligns Lovullo with Hazen, whose agreement runs through 2028. Hazen hired Lovullo ahead of the 2017 season, and the two have remained together through a decade that included Arizona’s 2023 National League championship.

Arizona finished 86-76 this season, according to AP, but did not claim a playoff berth. The club now heads into the offseason with its manager staying in place.

Lovullo led Arizona to a 93-win season and a playoff appearance in his first year. The Diamondbacks returned to October in 2023 and reached the World Series, defeating Milwaukee, Los Angeles and Philadelphia before losing to Texas in five games, Piecoro reported. They have not returned to the postseason since.

Gilbert’s team-announcement account identifies Lovullo as the longest-tenured and winningest manager in franchise history. The two-year agreement resolves the uncertainty over his return after another close postseason miss.