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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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: Credited with fourth win
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Puk (4-8) earned the win Tuesday over the Orioles, striking out three over two perfect innings.
Puk has been excellent since returning to Miami's bullpen -- the left-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings, posting a stellar 0.42 WHIP while striking out 25 in that span. With Tanner Scott expected to be moved at the trade deadline, Puk would seemingly be the favorite to take over the closer role. He's lowered his ERA to 4.30 on the season with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 44 innings.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Finally nabs first win
Rotowire
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: Stuck with another loss
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Puk (0-8) took the loss Monday as the Marlins fell to the Cardinals in 12 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in an inning of relief.
With the score tied 5-5, Puk got the call in the top of the 12th and served up what proved to be a game-winning two-run homer to Masyn Winn. The southpaw has pitched better since shifting back to the bullpen, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 10.1 innings; however, he has only one hold -- and three losses -- during that stretch.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Hit with loss in relief
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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: Tagged with loss Monday
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Puk (0-6) took the loss Monday against the Padres, giving up an unearned run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning.
Entering a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh, Puk appeared to have gotten out of the inning when he coaxed a grounder from Fernando Tatis for a potential double play, but Tim Anderson couldn't come up with the ball -- the first of two errors in the frame for the Marlins' shortstop. Puk's move back to the bullpen hasn't helped him turn his season around -- through five relief appearances and four innings, he has a 6.75 ERA and a 1:2 K:BB.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Returns from injured list
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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
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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
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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
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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: Start pushed back to Wednesday
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Puk has been scratched from Monday's start against the Giants due to an illness and is now scheduled to start Wednesday versus the Giants, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.
Edward Cabrera (shoulder) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Monday in Puk's place. Puk has gotten off to a terrible start this season, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) while walking 14 over 10.2 innings.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Walks piling up
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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
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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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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Brilliant spring continues
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Puk struck out six over 3.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He allowed five hits and a walk.
The 28-year-old southpaw has yet to make a start during his big-league career, with all 142 of his appearances to date coming in relief, but Puk is making a very compelling case to begin the season in the Marlins' rotation. He's delivered a 15:4 K:BB through 8.1 spring innings with a 0.00 ERA, and his emergence makes it easier for the team to give Braxton Garrett (shoulder) the time he needs to get 100 percent healthy, rather than pushing him to be ready for Opening Day. If Puk carries his spring success into the regular season, he could be hard to dislodge from a starting role, but he also hasn't thrown more than 66.1 innings in a season since 2017, when he was working his way through the Oakland system.
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Marlins' A.J. Puk: Tracking toward rotation spot
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Puk is a "heavy favorite" to open the season in the Marlins' rotation with Braxton Garrett (shoulder) unavailable, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports.
Puk has wowed early on this spring as he transitions from reliever to starter, firing five scoreless innings with a 9:3 K:BB. Garrett is healthy now but needs time to be built back up following some missed time with left shoulder soreness, so the Marlins need a fill-in likely for at least a couple starts. Puk hasn't started a game since 2021 or been a full-time starter since 2017, so staying healthy and effective over the long haul would be a difficult ask. However, he appears ready to be plugged into the rotation, at least on a short-term basis.
