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Bumgarner responds to Bellino: 'Corbin Martin needs an apology'

Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander Madison Bumgarner commented on umpire Dan Bellino's apology on Saturday but noted he's not the one who is necessarily owed one.

"That's fine. I don't need an apology," Bumgarner said. "Corbin Martin needs an apology. He came in and threw four innings and, you know, unfortunately ... now he's in Triple-A. So, (the Bellino incident) affected him in a much bigger way than it affected me.

Bumgarner was abruptly ejected after the first inning of his start against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. Bellino took his time rubbing Bumgarner's hand while staring at the veteran hurler during a check for banned sticky substances. Bumgarner took issue with Bellino's examination and was given his marching orders. The four-time All-Star needed to be restrained by teammates following the ejection.

The Diamondbacks were forced to summon Martin out of the bullpen. The 26-year-old right-hander allowed two runs on three hits and four walks while striking out three over four innings of work - tying his longest outing of the year. With Martin likely unavailable for the next couple days, he was optioned in order to activate reliever Mark Melancon.

Following the game, neither Bumgarner nor manager Torey Lovullo divulged what led to the ejection but confirmed it was not due to sticky substances on the pitcher's hand.

Bellino issued an apology Friday and was reportedly fined for the incident.

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