What has started as an excellent beginning of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen, now has some serious questions lingering ahead about the status of their closers.
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Apr 1, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk (33) pitches in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images
D-Backs closer could be in injury trouble:
A.J. Puk has been one of the biggest pieces for this Arizona Diamondbacks bullpen. Since coming to Arizona, Puk has a 1.32 ERA in 30 appearances. In eight innings on the season so far he has a 3.38 ERA. News came down on April 19th that Puk was placed on the injured list with left elbow inflammation. It is worth noting that Puk mentioned his arm felt tight on his April 17th start in Miami, and that in the coming days, it wasn’t healing. The D-Backs got an MRI done on April 22nd, and without the exact details, it seems they will seek multiple opinions before making any decisions.
Diamondbacks organization still gathering information on reliever AJ Puk following the MRI yesterday. No timetable update as of today.
— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) April 22, 2025
Manager Torey Lovullo says reliever A.J. Puk is seeking multiple opinions after undergoing an MRI yesterday.
— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) April 22, 2025
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher AJ Puk (33) delivers a pitch at Chase Field on Aug. 31, 2024, in Phoenix. © Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK
Head Coach Torey Lovullo spoke on the matter:
“We want to be as thorough as possible. When imaging is done, you get other opinions. You just want to make sure you hit it right. This is a really important situation. They all are.”
Arizona Diamondbacks closer Justin Martinez (63) pitches against the Baltimore Orioles at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 8, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Where is Justin Martinez?
Just last night in a three-run game, the D-Backs turned to Shelby Miller and Juan Morillo, with Martinez nowhere in sight. When asked about it, Arizona Diamondbacks head coach Torey Lovullo explained it could be a “dead arm”, phase and elaborated how Martinez felt fatigue in his right shoulder. Martinez has been incredible for this Snakes ball club, as he hasn’t given up a run, while only allowing three hits and one walk.
It hasn’t been a massive amount of work for Martinez, as he only has pitched in eight of the first 19 games this season. Martinez hasn’t pitched since April 17th, but it could be sooner rather than later when we see Martinez back helping close games for these Arizona Diamondbacks.
#Dbacks Justin Martinez right shoulder fatigue, maybe dead arm phase, but still possible for tomorrow per Torey Lovullo pic.twitter.com/38hSNV1ATl
— Jack Sommers (@shoewizard59) April 23, 2025
The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Tampa Bay Rays at Chase Field tonight at 6:40 p.m. MST.
Arizona Diamondbacks closer Justin Martinez (63) high-fives teammate Gabriel Moreno (14) after their 4-3 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Chase Field in Phoenix on April 8, 2025. © Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Arizona Diamondbacks target series victory over Tampa Bay on Wednesday
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks and Arizona Cardinals for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
