Diamondbacks reliever A.J. Puk has paused his throwing program after experiencing renewed elbow soreness, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Friday (link via Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic). Puk will visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache before deciding on next steps. Lovullo called it “slight discomfort” and noted that the star southpaw initially hoped he could continue throwing through it.
Puk has been out since the middle of April with a flexor strain. The organization has remained hopeful that he’ll be able to rehab the injury without requiring surgery. That’s presumably still the case, but any kind of setback for a forearm/elbow injury is worrisome. That’s especially true considering Puk has a 2018 Tommy John surgery on his medical chart. Even if the follow-up visit goes well, the shutdown will push back his return timeline to some extent.
It’s the latest bad news for a reeling Arizona bullpen. Puk and Justin Martinez were supposed to serve as Lovullo’s 1-2 punch in the late innings. Puk made eight appearances before his IL stay. Martinez got into 17 games and suffered an elbow injury of his own last week. That one immediately proved serious, and the team announced this evening that he’s headed for the second elbow surgery of his career.
Arizona’s bullpen has been a huge weakness. They entered play tonight with a 5.21 earned run average that ranks 27th in MLB. The injuries to Puk and Martinez are the biggest factors, but they’ve also seen former key contributors Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel struggle through rough years. Low-cost acquisitions Shelby Miller and Jalen Beeks have been their most reliable relievers. The D-Backs will need to acquire multiple bullpen arms if they’re in position to add at the deadline.
Monty, Burnes, Jmart, and Puk have the TJ bug! Yikes
With the length that snake relievers last, makes sense that the next man up might be named Graveman.
Trade for Zach Pop. That would be ominous.
Before he comments, no, he’s not stopping his throwing program to stay on the team’s IL, Birdie man.
Dr. ElAttrache is quite busy these days…
Dr. Meister is right there with Dr. ElAttrache.
Honestly tired of these teams giving up being maybe 4 games out and only a quarter of the season gone. These teams could easily refurbish their rosters even the bullpen or rotation. Use young players that are ready for the majors ( but dont want to because of manipulation time) or trade for guys who are more then capable in AAA. Heck they could rebuild the whole pitching staff and it be better then most of the league by talking to Milwaukee. They probably could get some type of trade and get Quintana, Myers, Pegura, Payamps, Hudson, Mcgee, Nitolli, Stallings and others( from others teams). That bullpen would be just as good or better then 3 quarters of the leagues bullpen or rotation. But these teams now got no balls to do it. I dont see how any players being able to have a HOF career because teams dont bring hardly anyone up until age 25 even if they were pretty much ready at age 20 or 21. Or they dont give someone a shot because analytics says they won’t be successful for more then 3 years or they look like John Kruk. Don’t get me wrong players are to blame too because they think hitting 20 homeruns, hitting .200 and striking out 175 times is power hitter. Then you got guys faster then anything refusing to bunt to get on. Give me a break I be bunting atleast twice a game and then stealing second. Who cares about their ego. They do that and guaranteed they would have an average of about .250 and 85 stolen bases with over a 100 runs. That would get them a ten year career. Now that im venting im going to say this Manfred you suck quit mess with everything ( too many homeruns so he makes the ball dead so guys can’t hit homers anymore, dont get me wrong I dont want a juiced ball but not a dead one either. Quit letting owners do whatever. Every team needs to try and win 100% of the time period. If they dont or is screwing a city over then take the franchise away. We are talking about A’s, Rays, Rockies White Sox owners. Quit screwing around and give these cities that want a major league team and could make it work have one like Nashville, Vancouver, Montreal, Salt Lake City or others. If some rich guy doesn’t want to own a team in those places then have it community owned like the Green Bay Packers. Yes going to say it gotta maybe have a better profit sharing among the teams and for crying out loud and team that gets the profit sharing that money needs to be spent all of it on players or improving teams. They can’t pocket it. Fans spend their hard money and this is a embarrassing what some these teams look like. Sorry for the long rant
Paragraphs?
Stream of consciousness?
Rant of a sleep deprived lunatic?
Your not wrong was up for 48 hrs sorry.