A.J. Puk - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Thinks he can return in early May Puk (elbow) believes he could be ready for his season debut by early May, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Puk had an internal brace procedure last June rather than a full Tommy John repair of his UCL injury. While the less invasive surgery gives him a chance at a quicker return, early May is awfully optimistic and it's unclear whether the Diamondbacks share Puk's outlook. The left-hander expects to be cleared to throw off a mound by the end of March, and a clearer picture of his timetable could be available around that time. Puk will have a good shot to assume the closer role in Arizona when he does return, as it's a bullpen lacking established options.

6 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Agrees to deal Puk (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.

Impact Puk was limited to only eight appearances in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. He's expected to miss most of 2026, but might be able to contribute in the final couple of months.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Undergoes TJ surgery Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo told reporters Friday that Puk (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.

Impact Puk was pulled from his throwing program last week after experiencing left elbow discomfort. He visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, where it was determined that Tommy John surgery is the best option for the 30-year-old southpaw. Puk will miss the rest of the 2025 season, and given the significance of the procedure, he could miss most -- if not all -- of 2026. He'll end the season with a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and four saves across eight innings out of the bullpen.

JUNE 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Done for 2025 Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo told reporters Friday that Puk will undergo season-ending surgery on his left elbow, Jack Sommers of SI.com reports.

Impact Puk was pulled from his throwing program last week after experiencing left elbow discomfort. He visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, and it has been determined that surgery is the best option for the 30-year-old southpaw. It's not clear what type of procedure Puk will undergo, but he'll be out for the rest of 2025 and could miss a significant portion of the 2026 campaign. He'll end the season with a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and four saves across eight innings out of the bullpen.

JUNE 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Discomfort prompts re-evaluation Manager Torey Lovullo said Puk (elbow) will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday after experiencing some left elbow discomfort, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Impact The 30-year-old had his throwing program paused last week due to the discomfort, and the fact he's visiting a well-known surgeon could be cause for concern. The Diamondbacks will already be without closer Justin Martinez for the rest of the season due to Tommy John surgery, and Puk is now being evaluated for further elbow issues after landing on the shelf with inflammation in mid-April.

JUNE 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Pulled off throwing program Manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that the Diamondbacks have paused Puk's (elbow) throwing program, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Puk has been on the injured list since mid-April due to inflammation in his elbow, and he was recently cleared to begin throwing from 120 feet out. However, he's now been shut down from throwing and is scheduled to see a doctor within the next few days. More details on what that might mean for his return timeline will have to wait until after his appointment, but pausing a throwing program rarely leads to good news.

JUNE 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing out to 120 feet Puk (elbow) has been cleared to throw out to 120 feet, Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Puk, who was placed on the 15-day injured list April 19 due to left elbow inflammation and was shifted to the 60-day IL on May 1, continues to make steady progress in his throwing program. The team still hasn't provided a firm timetable for the southpaw's return, though he's eligible to be activated July 1.

JUNE 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Stretches throwing program out Puk has stretched his throwing program out to 60 feet, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Puk has been making slow progress in his recovery from left elbow inflammation, and he'll soon expand his throwing program to 90 feet. The left-hander isn't eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until July 1, so he still has plenty of time to ramp up his activity prior to then.

MAY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Stretches throwing program out Puk (elbow) has stretched his throwing program out to 60 feet, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

MAY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Set to begin throwing program Puk (elbow) is expected to begin a throwing program in the coming week, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Puk was placed on the 15-day injured list April 19 with left elbow inflammation before later being transferred to the 60-day IL on May 1. The left-hander isn't eligible to be activated for over a month, but beginning a throwing program will be the first step in his build up to returning to action down the road this season.

MAY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Showing improvement Puk (elbow) is asymptomatic, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.

Impact Puk has been sidelined since April 19 and was then shifted to the 60-day injured list May 1. While he'll still face an extended absence, it's a positive sign that he's no longer feeling significant pain in his elbow.

MAY 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Diamondbacks transferred Puk (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Thursday.

Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Jose Castillo, whose contract was selected Thursday. Puk is dealing with a left flexor strain, and while he will not undergo surgery at this time, he is facing an extended absence. Justin Martinez (shoulder) is also shelved, so the Diamondbacks are down their top two relievers and could turn to Ryan Thompson, Shelby Miller and Kevin Ginkel as options to close.

MAY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Avoids surgery Puk will not undergo surgery to repair his left elbow, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Although Puk won't be going under the knife, he's still expected to miss quite a bit of time. The plan is for him to pause all throwing for the next 2-to-3 weeks, at which point the D-backs will re-evaluate him and determine next steps. Justin Martinez will act as Arizona's primary closer while Puk is out.

APRIL 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Likely facing extended absence Puk (elbow) is unlikely to pitch for at least a couple of months, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Impact The Diamondbacks have not officially announced a timeline for Puk, who is awaiting word from two orthopedic doctors as to the severity of his elbow injury. However, team officials have spoken as if they are preparing for Puk to be sidelined for a lengthy period, and potentially the rest of the season. His absence will likely solidify Justin Martinez's role as the closer, though Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is also nearing a return.

APRIL 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured list Puk was placed on the 15-day injured list Saturday with left elbow inflammation.

Impact Puk secured his fourth save of the season during his most recent outing against Miami on Thursday, but he appears to have come away from his appearance with elbow troubles. The left-hander will now be sidelined for at least 15 days, though it's unclear if he'll need to miss more time than that. Justin Martinez will likely become the primary option for saves while Puk is out.

APRIL 19, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Notches save No. 4 Puk struck out one and allowed a hit during a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Thursday against the Marlins.

Impact Puk was handed a 6-4 lead and managed to escape unscathed after giving up a leadoff double to Griffin Conine. The left-hander has now secured four of Arizona's six saves this season, giving him a slight edge in the closer committee over Justin Martinez, who converted the other two and closed out the seventh inning Thursday. Puk needed 21 pitches to get through the frame and has now thrown 36 offerings over the past two days, which could affect his availability for Friday's series opener versus the Cubs.

APRIL 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Collects third save Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 5-2 victory over Milwaukee, pitching a scoreless inning with three strikeouts and a walk.

Impact The flamethrowing southpaw required 24 pitches to polish off the Arizona win, as he allowed two baserunners to reach via a walk and a hit-by-pitch. Puk last completed a save April 2, with Justin Martinez, a right-hander, picking up a pair in between. Puk and Martinez are clearly set to continue sharing save opportunities based on the matchups with opposing lineups.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Earns eighth-inning hold Puk allowed one hit and struck out one over one inning to earn a hold in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Orioles.

Impact Puk worked around a hit and stolen base to record his second hold of the season. He entered the eighth inning with two scheduled lefties due up and served as the bridge to Justin Martinez, who recorded the save. It was the second straight save situation, where Puk worked the eighth and Martinez the ninth. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo still hasn't named a closer and appears to be calling on the lefty Puk or righty Martinez depending on the matchups.

APRIL 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Hangs on for second save Puk picked up a save against the Yankees on Wednesday, allowing one run on one hit while striking out one batter over one inning.

Impact Arizona held a four-run lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, initially rendering Puk's services unnecessary. However, Ryan Thompson allowed the first two batters in the frame to reach base, at which point Puk was called upon to put out the fire. He instead stoked the flames by serving up a one-out, three-run homer to Anthony Volpe, but the lefty reliever then retired the final two batters he faced to close things out for Arizona. It's telling that Puk got his second save chance in two days while Justin Martinez pitched the eighth inning Tuesday and didn't appear Wednesday. That appears to solidify Puk's place as the Diamondbacks' closer of choice, though he's now allowed two homers over his first three outings of the campaign.

APRIL 3, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Secures first save Puk allowed a solo home run but earned a save over the Yankees on Tuesday. He struck out two.

Impact Puk was tasked with protecting a 7-4 lead in the ninth inning. He struck out the first two batters he faced before coughing up a solo shot to Ben Rice. Puk has punched out four batters in two innings but has also allowed a pair of hits and a walk. He converted the first save for Arizona this season and appears to be the main candidate for ninth inning work.

APRIL 2, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes season debut Puk allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two over a scoreless inning in Sunday's 10-6 win over the Cubs.

Impact It wasn't a save situation for Puk, who made his season debut in the top of the ninth inning after the Diamondbacks took the lead an inning earlier, courtesy of an eight-run rally. Nothing has changed with respect to Arizona's closer situation. Manager Torey Lovullo still hasn't named one and will continue to trot out Puk and Justin Martinez for late-game, high-leverage situations.

MARCH 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

No closer named yet 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 o...

Impact 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.

MARCH 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Throws scoreless inning Puk walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Monday's split-squad game against the Angels.

Impact 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. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

MARCH 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Continues blemish-free spring Puk allowed one hit and struck out two over one scoreless inning in Saturday's spring game against the Reds.

Impact 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 co-closers and expected to get save opportunities this season.

MARCH 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Manager fine with lefty closer 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 closer, Jack Sommers of Arizona...

Impact The other two Arizona closer candidates -- Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel -- are both righties, which is the handedness managers sometimes prefer in their ninth-inning man. However, it does not appear that will factor into Lovullo's decision. Puk was dominant for the Diamondbacks last season after being acquired via trade, posting a 1.32 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and 43:5 K:BB over 27.1 innings.

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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