A.J. Puk's Injury Shakes Up the Diamondbacks

In a surprising twist for the Arizona Diamondbacks, closer A.J. Puk has been placed on the 15-day injured list due to inflammation in his left elbow, retroactive to April 18. This pivotal move comes as the team reshuffles its bullpen, creating both challenges and opportunities.

Bullpen Shuffle: New Faces Emerge

To fill the gaps left by Puk and demoted pitchers Bryce Jarvis and Joe Mantiply, the Diamondbacks have called up right-hander Drey Jameson and added right-handers Juan Morillo and J.P. Feyereisen to their active roster. In a further move, infielder Grae Kessinger has been designated for assignment.

Puk's Stellar Performance Before Injury

Prior to his injury, Puk was shining brightly on the mound, boasting a 3.38 ERA over eight innings this season. His stellar performance included an impressive 34.3% strikeout rate along with a minuscule 5.7% walk rate. Furthermore, he closed out all four save attempts—a strong start disrupted only by this unfortunate elbow issue.

Who Will Step Up as Closer?

With Puk sidelined, Justin Martinez is poised to take over as the new closer, while Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks are expected to step into critical setup roles. Beeks now becomes the only left-hander in a bullpen that is undergoing significant changes.

Difficult Loss and Fresh Starts

The Diamondbacks' recent 13-11 loss to the Cubs highlighted the struggles of both Jarvis and Mantiply, who gave up three earned runs each in their brief outings. Their demotions to Triple-A will allow them to regroup, while new faces in the bullpen offer a fresh perspective and vigor.

Jameson Returns Stronger Than Ever

Drey Jameson is returning to the majors after recovering from Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2024 season. He had posted a solid 2.63 ERA over 65 innings in earlier seasons and was thriving with a 2.70 ERA in Triple-A this year—now he’s ready to prove himself in the big leagues.

Morillo and Feyereisen: A Chance to Shine

Juan Morillo, who has a background with the Dodgers, is making waves in Triple-A with a 1.42 ERA and impressive groundball rates; he now has his sights set on MLB hitters. Meanwhile, J.P. Feyereisen is looking to rediscover his form after a long recovery from surgery, showcasing a promising 0.96 ERA in Reno. Can he reclaim his spot as a high-leverage reliever?

Kessinger's Uncertain Future

Grae Kessinger, who had limited impact during his time with the Astros, faces an uncertain future in Arizona. Having not appeared for the Diamondbacks since his acquisition, he could find himself on waivers—potentially repeating his history of bouncing around teams.

Looking Ahead

As the Diamondbacks navigate this injury challenge, all eyes will be on the emerging talent in their bullpen. The next few games will be crucial as they experiment with their roster and seek to maintain momentum in the competitive MLB landscape. Will these new players step up when it matters most?