Major League Baseball

D-backs' Putz designated for assignment

Published Jun. 20, 2014 5:01 p.m. ET

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PHOENIX — Addressing a room full of reporters Friday, J.J. Putz recalled telling someone in the spring of 2011 he just had a feeling the Diamondbacks would win the NL West that season. Without Putz, they might not have.

Accordingly, it was an odd sight to see as Putz meeting the media to discuss the end of his tenure in Arizona without a D-backs logo in sight.

"It's sad," Putz said. "I've really, really enjoyed my time here. My family, we obviously live here, and to be able to call the Diamondbacks home as well was a pleasure, an absolute pleasure."

The D-backs on Friday designated Putz for assignment, letting go one of the critical pieces of the team's 2011 NL West Championship run and perhaps the most substantial veteran presence on the roster.

"It was a hard one," manager Kirk Gibson said of the decision to designate Putz. "I have the utmost respect for J.J. ... I'm very grateful for what he did for us in 2011. He was such a huge part of that season."

It had become somewhat clear Putz's days with the D-backs were numbered, whether that meant the end of the season or sooner. Putz's struggles this season — he was 1-1 with a 6.59 ERA in 18 appearances — after a stint on the disabled listened hastened his exit, which he too had come to expect.

"I'm not really surprised," Putz said. "I had this feeling that something like this was going to happen. I just didn't know when. ... They had to make a decision, and this was probably the most logical one to make."

Added Towers: "He was lights out. The bullpen anchored by him was so good in 2011. We wouldn't have won the division without him."

Putz saved a career-best 45 games with a 2.17 ERA in 2011 and solidified the D-backs bullpen as the team pursued a fifth NL West crown. He spoke fondly of the playoff run Friday, recalling specific moments that still give him goose bumps and sharing the pride he felt in watching young teammates like Paul Goldschmidt and Ian Kennedy bloom.

"That's the highlight of my career to date," Putz said. "That whole season was just magical. ... It was, without question, the greatest thing I've ever been a part of."

Added Towers: "He was lights out. The bullpen anchored by him was so good in 2011. We wouldn't have won the division without him."

Putz saved 32 games in 2012 and posted a 2.82 ERA, but the D-backs couldn't replicate their 2011 efforts. Still, Putz established himself as a veteran leader in the bullpen.

"From a bullpen standpoint, we're losing our leader," right-handed reliever Brad Ziegler said. "That's the guy that we've looked up to the last several years and the guy that's been kind of the mentor for everybody."

Putz's presence was not limited to the bullpen, as he became a key clubhouse presence. If there was a team outing, such as the paintball excursions of the past two spring trainings, Putz was probably organizing it. If there was a practical joke in the works, such as when a media relations official's office was filled floor to ceiling with balloons, Putz was probably behind it.

"You're talking about the guy who, at least as far as tenure on this team, has been here the longest among the older guys," Ziegler said. "It's a guy that everybody looked up. You're never going to be able to truly replace him."

Putz was replaced, though, as the team's closer. He scuffled early last season before landing on the disabled list with a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. He returned and pitched well in a setup role before going on the DL again with a dislocated finger. This season, Putz went on the DL with a right forearm strain.

The injuries were frustrating, Putz admits, but not as much as not knowing what was wrong this season as he struggled to get outs and his velocity dipped.

"I wish I knew, because if I knew, I probably wouldn't be sitting here," Putz said. "I feel really good. When I'm out long-tossing, my arm feels great. When I'm playing catch with my different pitches, everything seems to be fine. There's just something that's not carrying over to the mound. I don't know if that's a mechanical thing or what."

Putz said he wants to keep pitching but is not open to a minor-league assignment. Gibson used his own career as an example for what could be next for Putz. After being released by the Pirates in 1992, Gibson took the rest of the season off before signing in 1993 with Detroit, where he had three more productive seasons before retiring.

"If it doesn't happen that way for J.J., he's had a great career," Gibson said. "My wish for J.J. would be that there is a need and there is a need from a contender and that he can go make that kind of contribution somewhere."

Gibson said the D-backs decided to designate Putz in part because of his struggles this season but also because the team wants to give its young pitchers extended opportunities in the majors. Evan Marshall has impressed since being called up and Matt Stites was added from Triple-A on Thursday.

A career reliever, Putz has 189 saves and a 3.08 ERA over 12 seasons with the Mariners, Mets, White Sox and D-backs.

Putz spoke highly of Gibson, general manager Kevin Towers and team president Derrick Hall on Friday. Gibson and Towers informed Putz of the move following Thursday's game in what Putz called "true 'KT' fashion: Professional."

"First class organization top to bottom," Putz said. "I'd really like to take the time to thank KT, Derrick, Gibby and those guys for trusting in me to come here and be a leader here and work with the young guys here. Without them that wouldn't have been possible."

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