A.J. Puk - Page 3 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Nails down 12th save Puk recorded the final two outs of Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox to collect his 12th save of the season.

Impact 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.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Perfect inning for 11th save Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh. He pitched a perfect inning.

Impact 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.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Charged with blown save, loss Puk (3-2) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 3-1 loss to the Pirates. He gave up three runs on three hits without a walk or a strikeout over two-thirds of an inning.

Impact Called upon in the ninth inning to protect a 1-0 lead, Puk allowed three singles and a couple stolen bases before getting the hook. Dylan Floro took over and allowed the inherited runner to score, adding a run to Puk's ledger. The lefty has pitched well overall this season (3.22 ERA, 1.16 WHIP) and had earned four of the Marlins' previous five saves coming into Friday. This outing alone is unlikely to affect his standing in the Miami bullpen.

JUNE 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records save Thursday Puk earned a save against the Pirates on Thursday, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning.

Impact 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 10:9 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.

JUNE 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches ninth save 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 18, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Secures eighth save 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.

Impact 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.

JUNE 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Snares seventh save Puk picked up the save Sunday against the White Sox. He pitched a perfect inning.

Impact 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.

JUNE 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sharp in return from IL Puk gave up a hit and struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning during Wednesday's 6-1 win over the Royals.

Impact The Marlins erased a save opportunity by scoring three insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth inning, but with Puk already warmed up, manager Skip Schumaker elected to stick with his closer for the top of the ninth. It was the southpaw's first appearance since coming off the injured list Tuesday, but it looks like he'll immediately bump Dylan Floro back to setup duty despite being sidelined for nearly a month. Puk sports a 2.87 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and impressive 22:3 K:BB through 15.2 innings on the season.

JUNE 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from injured list Miami activated Puk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on rehab assignment Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said Wednesday that Puk (elbow) will make back-to-back rehab appearances before being activated, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Puk tossed a scoreless inning on 15 pitches in his rehab debut Tuesday with Double-A Pensacola, but the Marlins want him to fully test his left elbow before they return him to a high-leverage bullpen role. Those back-to-back appearances could come Thursday and Friday, though the timeline is not certain. The 28-year-old southpaw has been on the shelf since May 14 because of elbow nerve irritation.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Heads out on rehab assignment Puk (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment Tuesday with Double-A Pensacola, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Puk could be back with a majority share of the Marlins' closer role by the weekend, assuming all goes well on the farm. He had posted a sharp 3.07 ERA and 19:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings this season with Miami before landing on the injured list May 14 due to left elbow nerve irritation.

MAY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing 20-pitch bullpen Saturday Puk (elbow) will throw a 20-pitch bullpen before Saturday's game against the Angels, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact Puk continues to work his way back from nerve irritation in his left elbow. If things continues to progress 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 MLB action.

MAY 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing from 90 feet away Puk (elbow) has upped his throwing distance to 90 feet in his rehabilitation, Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald reports.

Impact That's up from the 60 feet that Puk was reportedly throwing from Tuesday. The left-hander was placed on the 15-day injured list with left elbow nerve irritation, but the fact he's already resumed throwing from distance is a positive sign that Puk could be back as the Miami stopper before the end of May.

MAY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Tuesday Puk (elbow) played catch from 60 feet Tuesday, Daniel Alvarez-Montes of ElExtraBase.com reports.

Impact Puk landed on the 15-day injured list Sunday with irritation in his left elbow but is already back to throwing without any issues. He still has another two weeks or so before he can return from the IL, but it's a positive sign for the Marlins' closer.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IL with nerve irritation Miami placed Puk on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left elbow nerve irritation, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact Puk was reportedly dealing with dead arm and he's been unavailable to pitch since Wednesday against the Diamondbacks, and the Marlins will place their stopper on the injured list for the next couple of weeks while he recovers. With the southpaw unavailable, Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott will likely see the save opportunities for the Marlins. Assuming there are no setbacks, Puk could be ready to operate in the closer role around the start of June.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with dead arm Manager Skip Schumaker said Puk is experiencing some dead arm and may not be available Sunday against the Reds, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports.

Impact The left-hander hasn't pitched since Wednesday in Arizona, when he picked up his sixth save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning. The Marlins have a team off day Monday, so it wouldn't be surprising if Schumaker tries to say away from Puk during Sunday's series finale in an attempt to get him two extra days of rest. Tanner Scott and Dylan Floro are the likely options to step in for a save chance if Puk is unavailable.

MAY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Notches sixth save Puk gave up a hit and struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his sixth save of the season in a 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact The southpaw helped make history by locking down the victory, as the Marlins are now 12-0 in one-run games to begin the season -- the longest winning streak in games decided by one run in modern baseball history. Puk has been scored upon in only three of 15 appearances this season, and he's emerged as a solid closing option for Miami with a 3.07 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 19:3 K:BB through 14.2 innings.

MAY 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Blows first save Puk (3-1) blew his first save of the season and took the loss Saturday as the Marlins were downed 4-2 by the Cubs, giving up three runs (two earned) on three hits over one-third of...

Impact The southpaw was victimized by bad luck and bad defense, as Yuli Gurriel committed an error to open the inning before Trey Mancini got credit for a double on a routine fly that Peyton Burdick lost in the sun. Puk has now been tagged for multiple runs in two straight appearances after reeling off a 10-inning scoreless streak, bumping his ERA on the season up to 3.46, but his 15:3 K:BB through 13 IP remains strong and he seems to be in little danger of losing his grip on the closer's role for Miami.

MAY 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Grabs fifth save Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Cubs, tallying a strikeout in a scoreless inning.

Impact Puk has now pitched 11 consecutive scoreless innings. He's allowed just one run this season, coming on Pete Alonso's homer on March 31. Puk is a perfect 5-for-5 in save chances with a 0.75 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 13:2 K:BB. He's firmly established himself as the full-time closer in Miami.

APRIL 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Earns second win Puk (2-0) earned the win in Thursday's 5-4 win over Atlanta, striking out one in a clean inning.

Impact The Marlins brought Puk in the eighth inning down 4-0, looking to keep their closer fresh as he hadn't pitched since Saturday. However, Puk would end up with the win as the Marlins rallied for five runs in the bottom half of the frame. The 28-year-old left-hander has been solid early in the season, allowing just one run in 10 innings while going 4-for-4 in save chances with a 0.80 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB. Puk seems to have solidified the closing role in Miami and should be a decent source of saves moving forward.

APRIL 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Collects fourth save Puk walked one and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning Saturday to record his fourth save of the season in the second game of a doubleheader sweep of the Guardians.

Impact After the Marlins took the matinee 6-1. the nightcap proved to be a tighter affair, but Puk was able to preserve a 3-2 victory. Since being scored upon in his Miami debut, the southpaw reliever has reeled off seven straight appearances without allowing an earned run to lock down the closer role, and on the season Puk sports a 1.00 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and 9:2 K:BB through nine innings.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

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