Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday that left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) is expected to pick up a baseball later this week or early next week and resume throwing. Puk complained of left-elbow stiffness after his outing on April 17 and underwent an MRI exam before being placed on the injured list on April 19 with left-elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old southpaw was later shifted to the 60-day IL on May 1, which means he cannot return to the major-league roster as a late-inning bullpen piece until early June. In the meantime, the D-backs could get righty reliever Justin Martinez (shoulder) back from his IL stint later this week. Whenever Puk is able to return to the Snakes, the D-backs figure to continue mixing and matching with him and Martinez in save situations. Puk had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves and 12 K's in eight innings pitched before his injury.

The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, according to the team. Puk is on the shelf with a left-elbow flexor strain, although he won't need to go under the knife. Still, the 30-year-old southpaw is facing an extended absence, and Arizona's bullpen could be in trouble with right-hander Justin Martinez (shoulder) landing on the IL on Thursday. Fantasy managers may want to expect a closer-by-committee setup in the desert now with sav options including Ryan Thompson (he picked up the save on Wednesday, Shelby Miller and Kevin Ginkel. Puk will surely be in the mix for save chances again when he's fully healthy, but that might not be until sometime in June. He had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves and 12 strikeouts in eight innings before his injury.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) will not require surgery for his left-elbow flexor strain, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Puk will not throw for the next two to three weeks and will resume throwing once he's asymptomatic. It's ultimately good news for the 30-year-old southpaw, but fantasy managers stashing him will still need to remain patient and should expect a lengthy absence. Before his injury, the former sixth overall pick of the Athletics in 2016 out of the University of Florida had a 3.38 ERA (4.45 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 12 strikeouts and two walks in eight innings pitched for the Snakes. When he returns, Puk will re-enter the mix for saves in Arizona alongside Justin Martinez. In the meantime, Martinez will function as the team's primary closer, which means he should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk (elbow) will likely miss multiple months in a best-case scenario, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. There is no official word yet on a timetable from the Diamondbacks, but Puk is currently awaiting word from two orthopedic doctors on the severity of his elbow injury. Seeking multiple opinions on an elbow injury is never a good sign, and Arizona's bullpen will likely be without Puk for a while. For fantasy purposes, this makes Justin Martinez a full-time closer who should be rostered in most leagues.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) underwent an MRI exam on Monday on his injured left elbow, which will determine if he'll need to be out longer than 15 days after being placed on the injured list over the weekend with left-elbow inflammation. Puk already has four saves in eight appearances out of the bullpen in his first full season with Arizona, but he'll now be forced to miss at least the next two weeks while his elbow calms down. The 29-year-old southpaw needs to be stashed in an IL spot while he recovers. Right-hander Justin Martinez should see the majority of save chances for the Snakes while Puk is sidelined, although he was unavailable on Sunday due to a recent heavy workload, which led to Drey Jameson picking up the save over the Chicago Cubs.UPDATE: Lovullo said Puk is seeking multiple opinions after his MRI exam on Monday, which is an ominous sign.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have placed left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk (elbow) on the 15-day injured list due to left elbow inflammation. The 29-year-old last appeared in a contest on April 17 and did not show any signs of an injury. Through his first eight innings of the campaign, Puk has posted a 3.38 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He has tallied four saves, two holds, and held a 12:2 K:BB. Puk has typically alternated save opportunities with right-hander Justin Martinez. However, with Puk hitting the injured list, fantasy managers should expect Martinez to be the clear top ninth-inning option in the desert. In addition, this will likely open eighth-inning duties for Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks. Both relievers are viable targets in deeper formats that reward holds.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk earned his fourth save of the campaign on Thursday afternoon during their 6-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. The southpaw entered the contest in the final frame. Puk allowed a leadoff double to designated hitter Griffin Conine. However, he would then retire the next three batters he saw to shut the door. He would tally one punchout. Throughout the early part of the campaign, the Diamondbacks have provided both Puk and right-hander Justin Martinez with save opportunities. However, Puk appears to be the slight leader in the committee as he has earned four of the six saves. Across eight innings of work, Puk has struck out 12 batters and held a 3.38 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He remains a solid option in all standard formats as he should continue to see ample save opportunities on a competing Diamondbacks team.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk closed out his team's 5-2 win on Sunday to earn his third save of the season. He has pitched six innings in six games this season and has three saves and two holds. He had a three-run lead when he entered on Sunday and struck out the side, although he did let the tying run come to the play after hitting Joey Ortiz with a pitch and walking pinch hitter Isaiah Collins. He buckled down and struck out the top two hitters in the Brewers' lineup, though, fanning Brice Turang and then getting Jackson Chourio swinging at a high fastball to end the game. Puk and Justin Martinez continue to share closing duties for the Dbacks and are in a platoon in the eighth and ninth innings, based on the matchup. Both have been effective this season, and the situation allows them to each produce both holds and saves.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk had a wild ride in the ninth inning against the Yankees on Wednesday night, but he managed to close out the team's second straight win in the Bronx. Puk entered the ninth inning with nobody out after Ryan Thompson allowed singles to Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge. Puk got Jazz Chisholm Jr. to fly out to RF but then allowed the inherited runners to score on a three-run blast off the bat of Anthony Volpe. The home run made the score 4-3 but Puk was able to retire Austin Wells and strike out Jasson Dominguez to secure the win and earn his second save. He is the only member of the Diamondbacks bullpen with a save this season and seems to be in the primary closer role ahead of ... [More]

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk converted the team's first save opportunity of the season in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Yankees. Puk came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on strikeouts, allowed a solo home run, and got the final out on a line-out. The 29-year-old came into the season jockeying for save opportunities with Justin Martinez, who struck out the side in the eighth inning of the game. Both players offer plenty of strikeout upside, although Martinez did spend some time last season as the team's closer and recently signed a five-year, $18 million extension. The Diamondbacks should see plenty of save opportunities this season, so until one player grasps the closer's role, both are worth rostering in at least all roto leagues at this time.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, left-handed relief pitcher A.J. Puk and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Puk began the 2024 campaign in the Miami Marlins rotation but struggled as he posted a 9.22 ERA and a 2.63 WHIP across four starts. He was then placed on the injured list with a shoulder injury and was moved back to the bullpen when he returned. Puk returned to form in the bullpen and was eventually shipped to Arizona to help them down the stretch. Across 57 2/3 innings of relief, the southpaw posted a stellar 1.72 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He struck out batters at a strong 29.9% rate and generated an impressive 2.72 xERA and a .197 xBA, which were both within the 90th percentile among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect Puk to compete for save opportunities with Justin Martinez in the Arizona bullpen in 2025.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk was called upon to hold a one-run lead versus the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday. Originally, Ryan Thompson started the ninth inning but got into trouble which forced manager Torey Lovullo to change pitchers. Puk got the final two outs of the game to earn himself his second save of the season. The closer role is wide open in Arizona right now. That being said, Puk could be in line for more save chances if he continues to pitch well.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander A.J. Puk got the final two outs of the team's 6-5 victory over the Pirates on Sunday. The newly-acquired reliever notched his second save of the season and first with the Diamondbacks after the team shifted from Paul Sewald in the closer role. Sewald got the win after pitching a scoreless sixth inning Sunday. Puk has been pretty good since joining Arizona before the trade deadline and could be an interesting arm if he continues to get save opportunities. He struck out one in his two outs during Sunday's outing and has six strikeouts over four innings with his new team and has given up just one run.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are acquiring left-handed reliever A.J. Puk from the Miami Marlins for infield prospect Deyvison De Los Santos and outfield prospect Andrew Pintar. Puk has been a lights-out setup man for the Marlins since transitioning back to the bullpen this year following his disastrous stint as a starter, posting a 2.08 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with 33 strikeouts and six walks over his last 30 1/3 innings. The 29-year-old southpaw, who is making $1.8 million in 2024, has two more years of arbitration eligibility before he can become a free agent and will join Joe Mantiply as the only lefties in the D-backs' bullpen. Puk has closing experience and gives Arizona another option in high-leverage situations alongside stopper Paul Sewald as the club looks to make a postseason push, and his fantasy value remains virtually unchanged with the move. If anything, his stock slightly drops since he could've taken over as Miami's closer if ... [More]

Miami Marlins relief pitcher A.J. Puk closed out the Detroit Tigers in Tuesday's extra-inning win, tossing a clean 10th inning for his first save of the year. It was actually closer Tanner Scott who was called upon for the ninth inning in a scoreless game, which indicates he's still the preferred ninth-inning man, but this was certainly an encouraging performance out of Puk. The 29-year-old left-hander pumped in nine of this 13 pitches for strikes in Tuesday's sharp outing and just his second appearance since coming off the injured list with a shoulder issue, lowering his ERA to 8.40 with a 2.40 WHIP and a ghastly 12:17 K:BB across 15 innings for the Marlins this season. Puk is worth keeping an eye on in all fantasy leagues, as he appears to be the next in line for save opportunities out of Miami's bullpen in situations where Scott may be unavailable.

Miami Marlins relief pitcher A.J. Puk (shoulder) tossed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts for the Florida Complex League Marlins on Monday. Puk went back-to-back with an outing for Single-A Jupiter on Tuesday, allowing two runs on three hits in the fifth inning. The 29-year-old left-hander is expected to make his return from fatigue in his left shoulder as a reliever, and he could be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point during Miami's next homestand that begins with Friday's series opener versus the division-rival Philadelphia Phillies. Working mainly as a high-leverage arm last season, Puk posted a 3.97 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while striking out 78 and walking only 13, but he converted just 15 of his 24 save opportunities with two holds across 56 2/3 innings. Even so, he'll eventually be a threat for ninth-inning work with closer Tanner Scott's expiring contract making him a potential trade candidate.

Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Tuesday. Puk is progressing through fatigue in his left shoulder, but his return timetable remains very much in the dark at this point. The 29-year-old former No. 6 overall pick scuffled as a starter in four appearances for the Fish this season, recording a 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and 12:17 K:BB through 13 2/3 innings before going down, and Puk will return out of Miami's bullpen when he's healthy. Although Puk could eventually be a threat for saves when he rejoins the major-league roster, he's not a must-stash fantasy player by any means. Closer Tanner Scott owns a 3.09 ERA (5.64 FIP), 1.62 WHIP, and 10:12 K:BB over 11 2/3 frames this year, and it probably wouldn't hurt fantasy managers to send out some sell-high trade offers when Puk's return becomes closer.

Miami Marlins left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) will pitch out of the bullpen when he returns to the major-league roster, according to manager Skip Schumaker. The experiment as a starter in Miami's rotation was a failed on for Puk, who is nursing fatigue in his left shoulder following just four appearances and holds a dismal 9.22 ERA, 2.63 WHIP, and a 12:17 K:BB over 13 2/3 innings. Although Puk's return timetable from the issue remains unclear, this development is bad news for the rest-of-season outlook of closer Tanner Scott, who is going to have some competition for ninth-inning work when Puk is eventually reinstated from the 15-day injured list. With Scott carrying a 3.38 ERA (5.88 FIP) and 1.68 WHIP while striking out 10 hitters and walking 12 through his first 10 2/3 frames of the 2024 regular season, it probably behooves fantasy managers to field some sell-high trade offers after Puk picked up 15 saves in 2023.

The Miami Marlins announced on Saturday that they placed left-hander A.J. Puk (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list with left-shoulder fatigue. In additional moves, right-hander Kyle Tyler's contract was selected from Triple-A Jacksonville and left-hander Josh Simpson (elbow) was moved to the 60-day IL. Right-hander Roddery Munoz was designated as the 27th man on Saturday for the team's doubleheader against the Chicago Cubs. Puk had to have his start this week pushed back multiple times due to an illness, but now he's dealing with an arm injury and will have to miss at least the next two weeks. The 28-year-old southpaw has lost each of his four starts of the season and has a 9.22 ERA and 2.63 WHIP while not going more than 4 2/3 frames in any of his outings. When Puk is ready to return from the IL, he could very well find himself back in Miami's bullpen.

Left-hander A.J. Puk (illness) has been confirmed as the Miami Marlins' starter for Thursday's series opener against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. After dealing with an illness in recent days, Puk was back at the ballpark on Wednesday playing catch and working out. The 28-year-old southpaw was pushed back twice in the rotation this week while feeling under the weather. It's good news that Puk is feeling good enough to start on Thursday, but most fantasy baseball managers will probably be wanting to stay away from him against Chicago after he's started the year by going 0-3 with a 5.91 ERA (6.90 FIP) and 2.44 WHIP with a league-leading 14 walks and just eight strikeouts in 10 2/3 innings in his first three starts.