Puk walked one and struck out two in a scoreless seventh inning Sunday to record his first hold of the season in a win over the Nationals.
The Marlins removed David Robertson from the closer role this weekend, just as they did with Puk about a month ago, but rather than turn back to the southpaw in the ninth, Tanner Scott got the save chance Sunday and converted it. Puk has regained his form, however -- over 10 appearances since his last blown save July 30, he's posted a 0.93 ERA, 0.52 WHIP and 16:1 K:BB through 9.2 innings. Should Scott falter down the stretch, Puk could get another chance to close for Miami before the season is done.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Locks down 16th save
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Puk picked up the save in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning. He didn't record a walk.
Puk allowed two hits and a run before ultimately earning his 16th save by striking out the side in the ninth. The left-hander had secured just one of his last four save chances and had given up nine runs over his last seven outings (6.1 innings), so while Friday's performance wasn't perfect, it was still a step in the right direction. Despite the bounce-back night, Puk is likely out of the closer role moving forward, as Miami made a splash ahead of the trade deadline by acquiring veteran closer David Robertson from the Mets.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Blows another save
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Puk blew the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning.
Puk surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the ninth inning, marking Puk's fifth blown save of 2023 and his third in his last four opportunities. Though manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk would remain the Marlins' closer for the time being. Sunday's blown save could be enough for Schumaker to try out other options at closer. If that were to be the case, Tanner Scott would likely be the first in line for save opportunities considering his recent success and overall 2.81 ERA through 48 innings.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Remaining closer for now
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Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk will remain the team's closer for the time being, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.
Puk served up a walk-off home run in extra innings in his last appearance and has an 11.12 ERA so far in July. Meanwhile, Tanner Scott has been one of the best relievers in baseball for a while now, posting a 0.79 ERA and 19:3 K:BB in 11.1 innings over his last 10 appearances. While Schumaker is sticking with Puk in the ninth inning, Scott will be used in high-leverage spots earlier in games.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Serves up walk-off homer
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Puk (4-4) was charged with the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals after he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning.
The 28-year-old was called upon in the bottom of the 10th inning to maintain a 2-2 tie, but Nolan Arenado tagged him for a three-run homer to win it for St. Louis. It's the third time in Puk's past five outings that he's allowed multiple runs, including three long balls. The left-hander had a 2.08 ERA in his first 22 appearances with 10 saves in 11 chances during that stretch, but he's surrendered 11 runs while taking three losses and being charged with three blown saves in his last 10 appearances.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Nabs 15th save
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Puk picked up the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Phillies. He allowed one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning.
After recording back-to-back blown saves, Puk finally managed to put together a scoreless frame Saturday to secure his 15th save. Prior to the pair of missed opportunities, Puk had rattled off four straight scoreless appearances and had given up just one hit over that stretch. Through 29 innings this, Puk owns a 4.03 ERA and 36:4 K:BB with four blown saves in 19 chances.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Blows save and takes loss Friday
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Puk (4-3) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits over one inning. He struck out three and didn't record a walk.
Puk entered with a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth and allowed an RBI double to Alec Bohm and a go-ahead, two-run shot to Cristian Pache before ending the frame. The left-hander has blown back-to-back saves and is now 14-for-18 in save chances this season. He sports a less-than-ideal 4.18 ERA across 29 appearances but has an elite 35:4 K:BB over 28 innings. Despite his recent struggles, Puk still projects as Miami's top closing option.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Picks up 14th save
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Puk allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday, striking out one batter and earning a save against the Cardinals.
Puk coughed up a leadoff single but managed to close out the 5-4 victory. He's converted four straight save chances after coughing up three runs in a blown opportunity against the Pirates on June 23. Puk lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with 14 saves and a 29:4 K:BB.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Registers 13th save
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Puk earned a save against the Red Sox on Thursday, striking out two batters in one perfect inning.
Puk was tasked with preserving a staff shutout with Miami holding a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. He had no trouble doing so, throwing 12 of 16 pitches for a strike and retiring the side in order. Since returning from a nearly month-long stint on the injured list June 7, Puk has gone 7-for-8 in save opportunities, allowing three earned runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 9:1 K:BB.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Nails down 12th save
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Puk recorded the final two outs of Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox to collect his 12th save of the season.
Dylan Floro made things interesting in the ninth, giving up three straight singles with one out to put the potential tying run in the on-deck circle, but Puk needed only three pitches to squash the Boston rally by getting pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida (forearm) to ground into a double play. Puk has given up earned runs in only one of 10 appearances since returning from the IL in early June, posting a 2.89 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 9.1 innings over that stretch while converting six of seven save chances. The 28-year-old southpaw remains entrenched as Miami's closer.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Perfect inning for 11th save
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Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh. He pitched a perfect inning.
Puk capped off the Marlins shutout by retiring the side in the ninth to recover after giving up three runs in a blown save last time out. Despite missing about a month with an elbow injury, Puk has picked up 11 saves in 24 games played and boasts a strong 26:4 K:BB on the year.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Charged with blown save, loss
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Puk (3-2) blew the save and took the loss Friday against the Pirates. He gave up three runs on three hits without a walk or a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.
Called upon in the ninth inning to protect a 1-0 lead, Puk allowed two runs on three singles and a couple stolen bases before getting the hook. Dylan Floro took over and allowed an inherited runner to score, adding more damage to Puk's ledger. The lefty has pitched well overall this season (3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) and has earned four of the Marlins' last five saves. This outing alone is unlikely to affect Puk's standing in the bullpen pecking order.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Records save Thursday
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Puk earned a save against the Pirates on Thursday, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.
Puk was summoned in the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. An error behind him brought the tying run to the plate for Pittsburgh with one out, but Puk retired the next two batters to close things out. The southpaw has successfully converted each of his past four save chances and hasn't allowed any earned runs over eight appearances while posting a 10:1 K:BB since his last blown save May 6. He's emerged as the clear-cut closer for a surprising Marlins squad that ranks third in the National League with 43 wins.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Notches ninth save
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Puk walked one batter in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his ninth save of the season in a 5-2 win over the Nationals.
The lefty has yet to allow an earned run since returning from the IL on June 7, and Saturday's walk was the first Puk had issued since May 4. His breakout 2022 with Oakland was clearly no fluke, and the 28-year-old now sports a 2.18 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 20.2 innings on the season while converting nine of 10 save chances.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Secures eighth save
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Puk picked up the save Friday against the Nationals, allowing one hit over a scoreless inning. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.
Puk hasn't given up an earned run in his last seven appearances (6.2 innings), posting 10 strikeouts and three saves during that stretch. Overall, the left-hander is 8-for-9 in save chances and holds a 2.29 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 25:3 K:BB across 20 games (19.2 innings). He missed nearly a month on the injured list with an elbow issue, but he's been sharp since his return to MLB, allowing just one unearned run across five innings.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Snares seventh save
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Puk picked up the save Sunday against the White Sox. He pitched a perfect inning.
Puk extended his scoreless inning streak to 4.2 frames (five appearances) while picking up his fourth perfect inning of the season to improve to seven-for-eight in save opportunities. Though he spent almost a month on the IL with an elbow injury, Puk hasn't shown any rust (0.00 ERA) and has reclaimed full closing duties from Dylan Floro.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Activated from injured list
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Miami activated Puk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Puk will return to the Marlins' bullpen Tuesday night against the Royals after missing a little over three weeks due to a mid-May diagnosis of left elbow nerve irritation. He had been operating as Miami's primary closer prior to the IL stint and should eventually recapture a share of that role, though Dylan Floro probably remains worthy of rostering in most fantasy leagues as the situation unfolds.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Throwing bullpen Saturday
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Puk (elbow) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen session before Saturday's game against the Angels, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
Puk continues to work his way back from nerve irritation in his left elbow. If things continues to go well for the southpaw, he could be back as Miami's closer around the start of June, but he also may need a rehab assignment before he's ready to return to action.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Throwing from 90 feet
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Puk (elbow) has upped his throwing distance to 90 feet, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.
The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow nerve irritation, but the fact he's already resumed throwing is a positive sign. Puk could be back as the Miami closer before the end of May.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Placed on IL with nerve irritation
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Miami placed Puk on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow nerve irritation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Puk last pitched Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, with manager Skip Schumaker previously attributing the southpaw's absence to a case of dead arm. Miami provided an updated diagnosis for Puk on Sunday, and he'll now be in line to miss at least a couple weeks while he recovers from he nerve issue. With the southpaw unavailable, Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott will likely see most of the save opportunities for the Marlins.
