Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta wants to enter the Home Run Derby

Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta wants in on this summer's Home Run Derby.

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Cubs pitcher Jake Arrieta wants in on this summer's Home Run Derby.

After Giants southpaw Madison Bumgarner expressed interest in the event earlier in the week, the reigning National League Cy Young award winner told reporters in Atlanta on Sunday that he wants to mash.

"We both love to hit," Arrieta said "You talk to a lot of people who don't like pitchers to hit, but we love it. We take it really seriously. We're in the cage hitting, we're actually trying to work on things. We have the ability to help ourselves out. I'm not going up there trying to make an out."

In 29 at bats this season, Arrieta has recorded eight hits and a homer, good for a .276 average. He's a career .174 hitter with three roundtrippers.

The 2016 Home Run Derby will be held on July 11 at Petco Park in San Diego.

- Kenny Ducey