A.J. Puk

Fantasy News

• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: No closer named yet

  Rotowire Mar 20, 2025

  Arizona manager Torey Lovullo may not name a closer before the start of the regular season, leaving Puk, Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel as candidates to earn saves, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. Lovullo insists that his preference is to have one primary closer, but he feels all three candidates are throwing the ball well. He wants to take more time, possibly into the regular season, to evaluate options. Lovullo also mentioned Joe Mantiply while musing on various matchup scenarios for the late innings.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Throws scoreless inning

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2025

  Puk walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's split-squad game against the Angels. Arizona had its top two closer candidates working in separate split-squad games Monday. Both Puk and Justin Martinez worked scoreless innings, and both have pitched worthy of being the team's primary closer to start the regular season. Puk owns a 1.50 ERA with three walks and nine strikeouts over six Cactus League innings. Martinez has the same number of walks and strikeouts over the same number of frames, but a 4.50 ERA thanks to one bad outing. Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA) could also factor into the closing decision. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Continues blemish-free spring

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2025

  Puk allowed one hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Saturday's spring game against the Reds. Puk worked a scoreless fifth inning and has yet to allow a run over four Cactus League innings. He's given up two hits and two walks while striking out five. The left-hander was followed by righty Justin Martinez, who gave up three runs over a third of an inning. The two are considered the front-runners for save opportunities this season in Arizona.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Manager fine with lefty closer

  Rotowire Feb 28, 2025

  Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said earlier this month that Puk being left-handed "wouldn't be an issue for me" when considering his options for the ninth inning, Jack Sommers of Arizona Diamondbacks on SI reports. The other two Arizona closer candidates -- Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel -- are both righties, which is the handedness managers often prefer in the role. However, it does not appear that will factor into Lovullo's decision. Puk was dominant for the Diamondbacks last season after being acquired from the Marlins, posting a 1.32 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB over 27.1 innings.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Part of closer auditions

  Rotowire Feb 25, 2025

  Puk struck out two over a scoreless third inning in Tuesday's Cactus League game against the Cubs. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo trotted out his three potential closers Tuesday, with Puk's inning sandwiched by Kevin Ginkel (second inning) and Justin Martinez (fourth). All three pitched scoreless frames. Martinez was the primary closer over the final two months last season but had a shaky September and walked more than four batters per nine innings. Meanwhile, Puk was electric after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting a 1.32 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with two saves over 30 outings with Arizona.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Inks deal for 2025

  Rotowire Jan 9, 2025

  Puk agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports. The left-hander began 2024 in the rotation for Miami but suffered a shoulder injury and was shifted back to the bullpen before being traded to Arizona. Puk finished the campaign with a 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB over 71.1 innings and should be a factor in the late innings for Diamondbacks, though Justin Martinez is the favorite for saves to open 2025.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Collects third save

  Rotowire Sep 21, 2024

  Puk gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Brewers. A Diamondbacks reliever hadn't recorded a traditional save since Sept. 3, but with the team protecting a three-run lead Friday, Justin Martinez was deployed in the seventh inning to face the heart of the Brewers' order, while Ryan Thompson got the eighth and Puk handled the ninth. If Martinez is moving into a highest-leverage role rather than being held back for the ninth, it could open up a save chance or two over the final week of the season for Puk, who is on an impressive roll -- he's hasn't been tagged for a run since Aug. 2, posting a 0.53 WHIP and 34:3 K:BB over his last 20.2 innings with two saves and five holds.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Winds up with save

  Rotowire Aug 5, 2024

  Puk picked up the save Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one during two-thirds of a perfect inning. Puk took over with runners on the corners and one out after Ryan Thompson yielded an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds to bring the Pirates within one run. Puk got the Diamondbacks out of the jam, retiring Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz to end the game and pick up his first save for Arizona. With Paul Sewald being removed from the closing role, it's been Thompson who's received the first two save chances. However, Thompson has allowed a run in both appearances, which could open the door for Puk to see some ninth-inning work.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Pitches in sixth inning

  Rotowire Aug 3, 2024

  Puk allowed one run on three hits over one-third of an inning in Friday's 9-8 win over the Pirates. Puk entered to clean up a mess made by Kevin Ginkel in the sixth inning but couldn't prevent the Pirates from taking the lead. Both Puk and Ginkel were speculated as options to close out games after manager Torey Lovullo announced earlier in the day that Paul Sewald would no longer be the club's closer. Ryan Thompson eventually closed out the win after Arizona retook the lead, but Lovullo, who did not specifically name a replacement for Sewald, trusts all three of those relievers.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Opening for saves

  Rotowire Aug 2, 2024

  Puk and Kevin Ginkel are the favorites for save opportunities after Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald from the closer role Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Puk has recorded a hold and has five strikeouts in three scoreless appearances since being acquired by Arizona last week, and the closer role is now open after Sewald's rough July. Lovullo didn't name a replacement, but Puk and the right-handed Ginkel are the likeliest candidates to take over. Ryan Thompson could also be involved.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Makes Arizona debut

  Rotowire Jul 28, 2024

  Puk allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Pirates. Puk made his debut for the Diamondbacks after being acquired from the Marlins on Thursday. The left-hander was brought in to face the top of the Pirates order, which included three right-handed batters, so it would seem manager Torey Lovullo is comfortable using the new reliever against all hitters. Puk becomes the second lefty out of the bullpen along with Joe Mantiply, who typically gets opponents' toughest lefties and can now get a break. Puk will join other setup arms, like Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and Ryan Thompson.

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• Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Heading to Arizona

  Rotowire Jul 25, 2024

  The Diamondbacks acquired Puk from the Marlins in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports. After beginning the season in Miami's rotation and posting a 9.22 ERA in four starts, Puk was moved to the bullpen upon returning from the injured list in mid-May. He's been dominant in a relief role this season, logging a 2.08 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with a 33:6 K:BB in 30.1 innings. He'll provide needed fortification to the back of the Diamondbacks bullpen, as closer Paul Sewald has struggled for much of July. Puk seems likely to start out in more of a setup role but could be a factor for saves, especially if Sewald is unable to get back on track.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Finally nabs first win

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2024

  Puk (1-8) was credited with the win Sunday over the Mariners, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief. The left-hander took over from Kyle Tyler to begin the fifth inning with the Marlins ahead 6-2, and Puk needed only 20 pitches (14 strikes) to rack up six outs and become the pitcher of record. He appears to be regaining his prior form now that he's no longer in the rotation -- through 10.2 innings in June, Puk sports a 3.38 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB. Should closer Tanner Scott be dealt by the trade deadline, Puk would be a candidate for saves given his experience in the role last year.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Hit with loss in relief

  Rotowire Jun 10, 2024

  Puk (0-7) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, coughing up three runs on three hits in a third of an inning. Entering the game in the seventh inning with the score tied 2-2, Puk gave up a couple one-out singles before Tyler Freeman got hold of a sweeper on the inside corner of the plate and pulled it over the left-field fence. Puk's fortunes haven't improved much since he came off the IL in mid-May and returned to the bullpen -- over his last 11 innings, he's stumbled to a 4.91 ERA with a 6:3 K:BB.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Returns from injured list

  Rotowire May 13, 2024

  The Marlins activated Puk (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday. It's been a little more than three weeks since Puk landed on the IL with left shoulder fatigue, but he's ready to return after yielding two runs with a 7:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings across his four minor-league rehab appearances. Puk struggled mightily as a member of the Miami rotation earlier this season, but he'll be used in relief in his return from the IL and should eventually see usage in high-leverage spots.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Starts up rehab assignment

  Rotowire May 6, 2024

  Puk (shoulder) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment with the Marlins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday, striking out two over a scoreless inning. Puk has turned in identical two-strikeout perfect innings in the FCL since he started up his rehab assignment Friday. The left-hander broke camp as a member of the Miami rotation, but after turning in a 9.22 ERA and 2.63 WHIP over his four starts before landing on the injured list April 20 with shoulder fatigue, he'll work out of the bullpen once the Marlins activate him. Puk could settle into a high-leverage role in front of closer Tanner Scott right away upon his return to the big club.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Returning to bullpen once healthy

  Rotowire Apr 24, 2024

  Manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Puk (shoulder) will pitch out of the bullpen upon his return from the 15-day injured list, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Miami's rotation recently got back Edward Cabrera and could soon add Braxton Garrett (shoulder), so Puk will shift back to a relief role once he's recovered from the shoulder fatigue. The left-hander went 0-4 with a 9.22 ERA and 12:17 K:BB over 13.2 frames in four starts, so the move isn't a major surprise. Puk primarily worked as the Marlins' closer last season and had 15 saves with a 3.97 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 78:13 K:BB across 56.2 innings, but he'll likely need to be eased back into a high-leverage role after his disastrous run in the rotation.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Lands on 15-day IL

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  The Marlins placed Puk (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Puk has taken the loss in all four of his starts this season. He struggled again in his last outing Friday against the Cubs when he allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings. Puk will now work on recovering from left shoulder fatigue, and the southpaw could return to the bullpen following his rehab stint if Braxton Garrett (shoulder) is back in the starting rotation.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Walks piling up

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Puk (0-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings as the Marlins were downed 3-2. He struck out two. It says something about how poorly the southpaw's transition to a starting role has gone that this was Puk's best outing so far this season. He's issued 14 free passes in only 10.2 innings over three starts, leading to a 5.91 ERA. However, with the Marlins still dealing with multiple injuries in their rotation, they have little choice but to continue the experiment a while longer. Puk lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Giants.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Struggles again vs. Angels

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Puk (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Angels. He struck out five. Puk's transition to a starting pitcher hasn't gone according to plan thus far -- the 28-year-old left-hander has allowed eight runs (six earned) through just six innings in his first two starts. While Puk has had success out of the bullpen in the majors, the Marlins seem set on having him remain in the rotation, at least while Braxton Garrett (shoulder), Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and Eury Perez (elbow) are sidelined. Puk's currently lined up for a tough road matchup versus the Yankees in his next outing.

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