by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (5/9/2013) Diamondbacks reliever J.J. Putz has a sprained ligament in his elbow, but will not need surgery, according to FoxSports.com.
Putz actually has a myriad of injuries, including a strained flexor pronator and an irritated nerve. Putz will attempt to rehab the injury. While a specific time line has not been mentioned yet, manager Kirk Gibson said the team doesn't expect him back any time soon. Putz will be placed on the disabled list. Heath Bell will be the club's closer while Putz is sidelined.
D-Backs place J.J. Putz on DL
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) The Diamondbacks placed closer J.J. Putz on the 15-day disabled list on Wednesday due to an elbow strain. The right-hander has gone back to Phoenix to see Dr. Michael Lee, MLB.com reports.
Heath Bell is expected to see save chances in his absence.
Putz has gone 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in 14 appearances while converting 5 of 9 save opportunities.
J.J. Putz headed for further evaluation
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz will undergo further evaluation Wednesday after leaving Tuesday's game against the Dodgers with elbow stiffness.
"We're going to go see the doctor (Wednesday) and go figure out what it is," Putz said after the game, per MLB.com. "I didn't know what it was, and then after it happened two more times, I thought I probably should say something. The hardest thing is just not knowing what it is. I've never felt anything like it before."
Heath Bell replaced Putz and recorded his second save of the season Tuesday. If Putz needs a stint on the disabled list, then Bell thinks the Diamondbacks would go to a two-man closer situation, which would include David Hernandez and himself.
"They brought me in to help out if J.J. needed a day off or if David needed a day off," Bell said. "I mean, you never want to see anybody hurt. But unfortunately, if he has to take some time on the DL, I think myself and David can fill in real nicely."
J.J. Putz leaves in ninth inning with injury
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/8/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz left Tuesday's appearance against the Dodgers in the ninth inning with an apparent injury to his right hand. The right-hander came on for the save but could be seen flexing his hand after walking the leadoff batter on four pitches.
Putz was pulled for Heath Bell after trainers and manager Kirk Gibson came to the mound.
Bell ended up stranding the runner on third and earned the save in the 5-3 win.
D-Backs will monitor J.J. Putz's workload
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson isn't ready to make a change at closer but is willing to consider it. Gibson told reporters Friday that J.J. Putz will remain the closer, but the team will have his workload monitored.
Putz blew his fourth save of the season Tuesday. The right-hander, who has converted 5 of 9 save chances, has allowed six runs over 12 2/3 innings. He has struck out 17 and waked seven over that span.
Diamondbacks not making change at closer
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz took his fourth blown save Tuesday against the Giants and saw his ERA jump to 4.26. Despite having nearly as many blown saves as saves (five) in April, manager Kirk Gibson isn't looking to make a change at closer.
"Not right now," Gibson said when asked if he’d considered removing Putz from the role, per The Arizona Republic. "We just lost the game. He feels as bad as anybody. I'm aware of the blown saves. Given that, we've battled back pretty good, (and I) actually thought we'd come back and at least tie it up and win the game later."
Putz, who gave up the game-winning home run to Pablo Sandoval, tried to explain after the game what happened Tuesday.
"I made some good pitches on (Marco) Scutaro, some good pitches on (Buster) Posey," Putz said, per MLB.com. "The one to Pablo just didn't come out of my hand. That's pretty much how the split is. If it doesn't come out of your hand right, that's pretty much what's going to happen."
J.J. Putz can't hold on vs. Giants
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (5/1/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz entered Tuesday's game against the Giants in the ninth inning with one on, no outs and a one-run lead. The right-hander retired the first batter but then surrendered a two-run homer to Pablo Sandoval.
Putz, who struck out two, was tagged with the blown save and the loss in the 2-1 defeat. It was his fourth blown save.
J.J. Putz closes out Rockies
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz entered Sunday's series finale against the Rockies in the ninth inning with a two-run lead.
The right-hander allowed Jordan Pacheco to reach on an infield single and walked Nolan Arenado with one out in the frame before settling down. Putz forced Josh Rutledge to ground out and struck out Carlos Gonzalez to secure a 4-2 win and his fifth save of the year.
Putz has struck out three, walked two and allowed one hit in his last three innings of work since blowing his third save on April 23.
J.J. Putz gets win No. 2
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/28/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz earned his second win Saturday night against the Rockies.
Putz entered a tied game in the 10th inning, striking out one and retiring the side in order. Cody Ross hit a walkoff sacrifice fly to give the Diamondbacks the win in the bottom of the inning.
Putz has allowed five runs and has struck out 14 in 11 innings. He has allowed three runs in his last eight innings.
J.J. Putz gets save No. 4
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/26/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz notched his fourth save of the season during Thursday's contest against the Rockies.
Putz, who entered the game in the ninth with a one-run lead, walked Dexter Fowler after retiring the first two batters. He struck out Carlos Gonzalez to secure a 3-2 victory for the Diamondbacks.
Putz has converted just 4 of 7 save opportunities and has a 4.50 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP through 10 innings of work.
J.J. Putz still the closer in Arizona
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson told MLB.com on Wednesday that J.J. Putz will remain in the closer's role. Putz has blown three saves thus far and has a 5.00 ERA through nine appearances.
Gibson attributed his struggles to the lack of control of his split-finger fastball.
"His split isn't very good right now," Gibson said.
Putz has been victimized for home runs on that pitch twice in the last week, including the game-tying shot by Giants first baseman Brandon Belt Tuesday night.
"He threw two fastballs right by Belt then hung two splits," Gibson said. "His command is not as good as it has been in the past, so he's going to try and clean some stuff up. It's more about location for him at this point in his career."
J.J. Putz can't hold on vs. Giants
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/24/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz entered Tuesday's contest against the Giants in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. The right-hander gave up a leadoff double to Hunter Pence before surrendering a two-run homer to Brandon Belt.
Putz made it through the frame without further damage, but he was tagged with his third blown save.
J.J. Putz escapes with save No. 3
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz endured a shaky outing but managed to pick up his third save of the season Sunday afternoon against the Rockies.
Putz entered the game in the ninth inning with a slim, one-run advantage. He walked Dexter Fowler and gave up a single to Josh Rutledge with two outs in the frame. The right-hander forced Eric Young Jr.to ground out as he secured a 4-3 victory.
Putz has a 3.38 ERA , a 1.50 WHIP and has converted 3 of 5 save chances for the Diamondbacks.
J.J. Putz blows save via home run
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/18/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz blew his second save of the season by serving up a home run to Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli to tie Thursday's game 2-2 in the ninth inning. The Diamondbacks won in extra innings, 6-2.
Putz has allowed three earned runs in seven innings this year while converting just two of his first four save opportunities.
J.J. Putz picks up the win vs. Dodgers
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth inning as he picked up his first win of the season Sunday against the Dodgers.
Putz struck out Matt Kemp and forced Adrian Gonzalez to ground out before walking Andre Ethier. Ethier was caught stealing four pitches later. Putz has a 3.00 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP through six innings of work.
J.J. Putz closes out Dodgers
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz entered Friday's contest against the Dodgers with a three-run advantage in the ninth inning.
The right-hander allowed a hit and walked a batter but only needed 17 pitches to close out a 3-0 victory. Putz has a 3.60 ERA and a 1.40 through his first five innings of work.
J.J. Putz brings down ERA
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) After blowing the save his last time out, Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz had a much sharper outing in Wednesday's series finale against the Pirates. He entered in the ninth inning with an eight-run lead and struck out three over his scoreless frame.
The right-hander lowered his ERA from 6.00 to 4.50 in the 10-2 win.
Putz has nine strikeouts through four innings pitched.
J.J. Putz can't close out Brew Crew
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (4/7/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz was tagged with a blown save during Sunday's series finale against the Brewers.
Putz entered the game in the ninth inning with a two-run lead. He imploded quickly, allowing a leadoff, ground-rule double to pinch-hitter Josh Prince before Norichika Aoki drove Prince home to cut the deficit. After Aoki stole second, Putz gave up a run-scoring single to Jonathan Lucroy to even the game.
The right-hander was charged with two runs on three hits in an inning of work. He also recorded two strikeouts. Putz has a 6.00 ERA, a 1.67 WHIP and is 1 for 2 in save opportunities.
J.J. Putz picks up second save
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (4/5/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz pitched a second scoreless inning in a row to begin the season Friday against the Brewers, and this time he got a save out of the deal.
He struck out two batters and walked one, posting the same line as his first appearance of the season Wednesday against the Cardinals. Putz put the tying run on to open the inning, but struck out two of the final three to lock down a 3-1 win.
J.J. Putz Ks two in scoreless debut
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/4/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz made his season debut on Wednesday night against the Cardinals. He entered in the ninth inning with the game tied and worked his way around a leadoff walk to make it through the frame scoreless.
Putz, who also struck out two, did not factor into the decision.
J.J. Putz closes out the Angels
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz turned in another solid outing during Tuesday's contest against the Angels. Putz, who made his fifth Cactus League appearance, entered the game in the ninth inning with a 7-1 lead. He retired the first three batters he faced to secure the win. Putz struck out two and has a 1.80 ERA in five appearances this spring.
J.J. Putz with another scoreless inning
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) The Diamondbacks' J.J. Putz made his fourth relief appearance of the spring in Thursday's Cactus League contest against the Indians. Putz did not allow a hit as he faced four batters. He walked one and struck out one in a 5-4 defeat. He has allowed just one run in four innings of work this spring.
J.J. Putz makes second spring appearance
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/16/2013) Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz made his second Cactus League appearance in Saturday's game against the Padres. Putz had a scoreless inning but allowed a single to Rico Noel and a walk to Kyle Blanks. It was the first hit he's allowed in the spring as he has a 1.00 WHIP through two games.
Putz works on slider
(3/10/2013) MLB.com reports Diamondbacks closer J.J. Putz worked on his slider during a "B' game against the Giants on Sunday. He would throw seven sliders in his inning of work. "Most of them had the good break and tilt we were looking for," Putz said. "The first two weren't that great."
Putz sharp in spring debut
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (3/5/2013) Arizona closer J.J. Putz threw an inning on Tuesday night during an exhibition against Team Mexico before the World Baseball Classic. Putz was given the fourth inning and he made relatively quick work of the Mexicans. Putz allowed a base hit over a scoreless frame. The 36-year-old made his first spring appearance in the game as he had not pitched during Cactus League play.
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (2/16/2013) After experiencing sensitivity to certain foods, Diamondbacks relief pitcher J.J. Putz altered his dietary plan during the offseason and the adjustment has netted positive results for the right-hander. Putz, who amassed 32 saves last season, said he has dropped 15 pounds without shifting his normal workout routine. "I feel amazing," Putz told MLB.com on Saturday. "I'm up at 5:45 a.m., wide awake jumping out of bed. When I lay down to go to bed at 11, I'm out. I don't move when I sleep, I have energy all day."
Putz signed through 2014
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (1/14/2013) The Diamondbacks announced Monday they agreed to a one-year contract extension with closer J.J. Putz, who is now signed through the 2014 season. "J.J. has provided much-needed leadership and stability for our bullpen the last two years," general manager Kevin Towers told MLB.com. "He has been an integral piece and helped set the foundation for our bullpen's turnaround, so we are excited to have him in place the next two seasons."
