PHOENIX – Opening Day is meant to feel like a fresh start. For the Arizona Diamondbacks, it very well could be. Although what is the one big problem they have to work through?
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Jun 4, 2024; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) throws in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
The bullpen, which has long been a massive liability, has evolved into a structural flaw. Not a slump, not bad luck, just a roster-building issue. Not only is the injured bullpen facing a ton of question marks, but Arizona is preparing to open the season without a single left-handed reliever. That is a reality that clashes with how modern baseball is managed. Matchups aren’t optional anymore; they’re foundational, and the Diamondbacks are at a disadvantage before the first pitch.
Diamondbacks Opening Day bullpen, per @nickpiecoro:
RHP – Joe Ross
RHP – Juan Morillo
RHP – Andrew Hoffmann
RHP – Kevin Ginkel
RHP – Ryan Thompson
RHP – Jonathan Loáisiga
RHP – Taylor Clarke
RHP – Paul Sewald0 LHP
— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) March 23, 2026
The absence looms larger when you consider who isn’t available. A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez, two high-leverage arms, are sidelined after Tommy John surgery, removing swing-and-miss depth from late innings. That puts pressure on a group already stretched thin. Then there’s Paul Sewald. Once a stabilizing force, his recent years have trended downward with declining strikeout rates and rising hard-contact numbers. The Diamondbacks are betting on a rebound, but hope isn’t a strategy when protecting one-run leads in the seventh inning.
Jun 4, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Justin Martinez (63) celebrates after a victory over the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Internally, the plan hinges on upside. Joe Ross and Jonathan Loáisiga are the wild cards, arms with talent but inconsistent recent track records. If they hit, Arizona can tread water. If they don’t, the bullpen becomes a nightly gamble.
Feb 18, 2026; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Joe Ross (16) poses for a photo for MLB media day at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-Imagn Images
For D-backs fans, the concern is familiar. Arizona’s lineup can compete, and the rotation can stabilize, but games are decided in the margins. In years past, this problem has haunted them, and right now, the Diamondbacks are still unequipped to control them. Until Arizona adds balance, specifically left-handed relief and reliable late-inning production, every lead will feel temporary.
Can the Diamondbacks actually win the 2026 MLB opening series over the Dodgers?
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Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Cardinals, and Phoenix Suns for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen
