Guardians' Paul Sewald: Earns save in Cleveland debut
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Sewald earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 extra-inning win over the Royals, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.
After Kansas City tied the game off Emmanuel Clase in the bottom of the ninth, Sewald successfully preserved a three-run lead in the 10th to earn the save in his first appearance with the Guardians. Sewald, who signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the offseason, started the 2024 season as the Diamondbacks' closer, though he struggled in the second half before eventually losing the ninth-inning job. While Sewald won't overtake Clase, it looks like the 34-year-old right-hander will be trusted with a high-leverage role.
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Guardians' Paul Sewald: Signs on with Cleveland
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The Guardians signed Sewald to a one-year, $6 million contract Wednesday that includes a $10 million mutual option for 2026, Zack Meisel of The Athletic reports.
He'll get a $1 million buyout if the mutual option isn't exercised, bringing the total guarantee to $7 million. Sewald missed some time with injury and lost his closer job with the Diamondbacks in 2024, ultimately finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 39.2 innings. However, from 2021 to 2023 he held a 2.95 ERA and had a 33.9 percent strikeout rate. Sewald will help set up for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Throws to hitters Saturday
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Sewald (neck) threw an 18-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, MLB.com reports.
Sewald followed up a 23-pitch bullpen session Tuesday with Saturday's effort at Chase Field. The reliever could be an option during the postseason, if Arizona qualifies.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Plays catch
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Sewald (neck) played catch Friday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session within the next few days, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Sewald has been on the shelf since Sunday due to an issue on the left side of his neck, and Friday marks the first time he's done any sort of throwing since then. It remains unclear if he'll be able to return to the Snakes' bullpen before the end of the regular season, but the team may know more once the 34-year-old is able to begin mound work.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Cedes two homers in loss
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Sewald allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Friday's 10-9 loss to the Dodgers.
The Diamondbacks didn't have all bullpen arms available -- Ryan Thompson and Justin Martinez worked the previous two days -- and manager Torey Lovullo wanted to save Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk in case Arizona took a lead, the manager told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. As such, Lovullo went with Sewald in a high-leverage situation -- two on and one out in the seventh inning. Sewald retired the first batter faced before giving up a three-run home run to Will Smith. An inning later, Shohei Ohtani took Sewald deep. That second blast turned out to be the difference maker, as Arizona got within one with a four-run ninth inning. Sewald has now allowed five earned runs in his last three appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Manager wants him closing
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Sewald back to being a closer, Arizona Sports reports.
Lovullo was asked about the Diamondbacks' current closing situation, and he's pleased with what Justin Martinez has been able to do, but added he wants "to get Sewald back into that role." At the same time, the manager acknowledged that while Sewald is "trending in a very positive direction," Lovullo is not ready to throw him back into closing. Sewald, who had thrown six scoreless innings following his demotion, has allowed three runs and five hits over his last two innings, both of which were non-save situations in the ninth inning. That includes Saturday, when Sewald allowed a run that reduced the Diamondbacks' lead to 4-1, and Lovullo had Martinez get up just in case.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Continues scoreless stretch
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Sewald allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.
Sewald has excelled since being replaced as the Diamondbacks' closer. Since then, he has yet to allow a run in six appearances, striking out eight over six innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo talked about Sewald having delivery issues at the time of his demotion; if the right-hander solved those issues, he could get save opportunities down the stretch. Sewald remains the most experienced closer in the bullpen.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: First appearance in new role
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Sewald walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.
Sewald made his first appearance since manager Torey Lovullo removed him from the closer's role. He did a slightly better job of finding the strike zone -- eight of 15 pitches for strikes -- after throwing just nine strikes over 24 offerings Wednesday. It was that appearance which triggered the decision to strip him of the title as Arizona's closer. As Lovullo explained it, Sewald had a mechanical issue that impacted his ability to throw strikes, which suggests he could regain ninth-inning duties if he's able to correct the problem.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Demoted from closer role
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he is removing Sewald from the closer role, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
The veteran right-hander allowed two runs on three walks in one-third of an inning Wednesday versus Washington, which capped an ugly July that saw him blow four saves and give up 12 earned runs across 10 innings. Sewald appeared to have turned things around with five straight scoreless appearances after an awful start to the month, but he finished with five runs allowed in his last four outings. Lovullo didn't say who will replace Sewald as Arizona's closer, but A.J. Puk and Kevin Ginkel are the likeliest candidates and could even form a matchup-based committee. Ryan Thompson could also be in the mix.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: May be on shaky ground as closer
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Sewald struggled in a save opportunity against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks in just one-third of an inning. He was pulled after throwing only nine of 24 pitches for strikes, and Ryan Thompson finished the inning. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo attributed Sewald's issues to a delivery problem and did not confirm any changes to the closer role.
Exercise caution with Sewald and be ready to make changes based on his future performances and any official updates about his role. If more reliable closers are available on the waiver wire, you may want to consider dropping Sewald for a more stable option.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Blows save Sunday
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Sewald was charged with a blown save in Sunday's extra-inning loss to the Pirates after he allowed a run on two hits in the ninth. He did strike out three.
Sewald was called upon for the ninth to protect a one-run lead and was unable to do so. Rowdy Tellez kicked things off with a leadoff double, but Sewald was able to rally with back-to-back strikeouts before Joey Bart laced a two-out double to tie the game up and eventually send the game into extras. It was the second time over his last three appearances Sewald's given up a run and he had converted five straight saves before blowing Sunday's opportunity. The 34-year-old owns a 3.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB in 26.1 innings. He's still got a grip on the closer's role, but the Diamondbacks did bring in A.J. Puk to bolster the back end of the bullpen, and he's someone that could supplant Sewald as the team's closer if Sewald were to keep struggling.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Converts 16th save
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Sewald allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Pirates.
Sewald allowed two runs in a non-save situation Wednesday versus the Royals, but he bounced back Friday to protect a one-run lead. This was his sixth scoreless outing in July, but his other four appearances this month each saw him yield multiple runs. The closer is 16-for-19 in save chances with a 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Unavailable for save opportunity
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Sewald was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.
The Diamondbacks carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning, but Sewald had been used the previous two games and thrown 33 pitches. Justin Martinez, who had also pitched Friday and Saturday, was unable to secure the save. Since a rough stretch earlier in July, Sewald has converted four straight save chances and tossed five straight scoreless appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Locks down 14th save
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Sewald earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cubs, allowing two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning.
The Cubs got the tying run to the plate after Sewald gave up back-to-back one-out singles. However, he'd rebound to strike out Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, closing out the Diamondback's victory for his 14th save of the year. After blowing three straight save opportunities earlier this month, Sewald's now delivered four consecutive scoreless innings while converting his last three save chances. The 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.22 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Nabs 12th save
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Sewald pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save over Atlanta on Wednesday.
Sewald entered the contest with a two-run lead in the ninth and needed only eight pitches to retire the side for his 12th save of the campaign. It was a nice bounce-back effort for the closer, who had allowed multiple runs and blown a save in his previous three outings. It was also Sewald's third appearance in which he didn't allow any hits or walks over his last six.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Disappoints again Monday
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Sewald blew a save against Atlanta on Monday, allowing two runs on two hits while striking out one batter over one inning.
Sewald entered in the top of the ninth with Arizona holding a two-run lead and retired the first two batters he faced. However, he couldn't seal the deal, giving up a single followed by a game-tying two-run homer off the bat of Sean Murphy. The blown save was Sewald's third straight, and he's allowed seven runs on seven hits while serving up three homers over 1.2 innings during that span. Sewald had completed 17 straight scoreless appearances prior to the downturn, and manager Torey Lovullo confirmed after the contest that the veteran reliever will remain the team's closer for the time being, per Theo Mackie of The Arizona Republic.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Falters versus Dodgers
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Sewald (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Tuesday versus the Dodgers, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out two in two-thirds of an inning.
Sewald's 15.2-inning scoreless streak came to an end, and he also took his first blown save of the year. He labored in the ninth inning and ended up giving up a game-tying double to Freddie Freeman, who then scored on Teoscar Hernandez's walk-off single. Sewald is now 11-for-12 in save chances while sporting a 1.56 ERA, 0.63 WHIP and 17:3 K:BB through 17.1 innings. He is unlikely to lose the closer job as long as he's with Arizona, though he's on a one-year contract for a struggling team and could be flipped before the July 30 trade deadline.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Grabs 11th save
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Sewald struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Athletics.
Sewald has picked up saves in four straight appearances and in seven of his 10 outings in June. The closer has been virtually untouchable this month, allowing two hits, two walks and two hit batsmen while striking out six over 8.2 innings. He's a perfect 11-for-11 in save chances with a 0.57 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 13:3 K:BB across 15.2 innings overall.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Converts 10th save
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Sewald allowed a hit in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Twins.
Sewald needed 17 pitches (nine strikes) to close out this contest, earning his 10th save in as many chances this year. He's on a 13.2-inning scoreless streak -- the only run he's allowed this year came in his season debut after he started the year on the injured list. Sewald has maintained a stellar 0.61 ERA, 0.55 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 14.2 innings this season.
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Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Earns ninth save
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Sewald earned a save against the Phillies on Friday, retiring all three batters he faced in the ninth inning.
Tasked with preserving a 5-4 lead, Sewald needed just 11 pitches to secure his ninth save of the year. The right-hander has not allowed a run since his first outing of the season May 7 and is a perfect 9-for-9 in converting save chances. He owns a sparkling 0.66 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 12:3 K:BB over 13.2 innings in 2024.
