Madison Bumgarner wouldn't support the use of the designated hitter in the National League.

The left-hander responded to comments made by Max Scherzer, who sustained an injured thumb while batting last week before railing against the National League's long-held tradition of batting pitchers.

Scherzer signed with the Washington Nationals this offseason after several seasons with the Detroit Tigers in the American League.

"He knew the rules. Whatever much he signed for -- what did he get, again? -- he didn't have a problem signing his name," Bumgarner said. "He didn't have a problem with hitting then. I'm sure he had his pick of anywhere he wanted to go."

Bumgarner, who has six career home runs as a hitter, took issue with Scherzer's implication that pitchers are not real hitters.

"What if he got hurt pitching? Should we say we can't pitch anymore?" Bumgarner said. "I hate what happened to him. He works his butt off out there. But I don't think it was because he was hitting. What if he gets hurt getting out of his truck? You tell him not to drive anymore?

"That's the way the game has to be played. I appreciate both sides of the argument and I get it. But [ending pitcher plate appearances] isn't the way to go about [addressing] it."