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 of Arizona Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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. Kevin Ginkel (1.69 ERA) could also factor into the closing decision. Settling on a closer is one of the items on manager Torey Lovullo's to-do list in the final week of spring training.

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

EDGE Analysis

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 the front-runners for save opportunities this season in Arizona.

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 Diamondbacks on SI reports.

EDGE Analysis

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.

Puk struck out two over a scoreless third inning in Tuesday's spring game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo trotted out his three potential closers Tuesday, with Puk's inning sandwiched by Kevin Ginkel (second inning) and Justin Martinez (fourth). All three pitched scoreless frames. Martinez was the primary closer over the final two months last season but had a shaky September and walked more than four batters per nine innings. Meanwhile, Puk was electric after being acquired at the trade deadline, posting a 1.32 ERA and 0.73 WHIP with two saves over 30 outings with Arizona.

Puk agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Thursday, avoiding arbitration, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The left-hander began 2024 in the rotation for Miami but suffered a shoulder injury and was shifted back to the bullpen before being traded to Arizona. Puk finished the campaign with a 3.15 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 88:28 K:BB over 71.1 innings and should be a factor in the late innings for Diamondbacks, though Justin Martinez is expected to open 2025 as the favorite for saves.

Puk gave up a hit and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Friday to record his third save of the season in a 7-4 win over the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

A Diamondbacks reliever hadn't recorded a traditional save since Sept. 3, but with the team protecting a three-run lead Friday, Justin Martinez was deployed in the seventh inning to face the heart of the Brewers' order, while Ryan Thompson got the eighth and Puk handled the ninth. If Martinez is moving into a highest-leverage role rather than being held back for the ninth, it could open up a save chance or two over the final week of the season for Puk, who is on an impressive roll -- he's hasn't been tagged for a run since Aug. 2, posting a 0.53 WHIP and 34:3 K:BB over his last 20.2 innings with two saves and five holds.

Puk picked up the save Sunday against Pittsburgh, striking out one during two-thirds of a perfect inning.

EDGE Analysis

Puk took over with runners on the corners and one out after Ryan Thompson yielded an RBI single to Bryan Reynolds to bring the Pirates within one run. Puk got the Diamondbacks out of the jam, retiring Oneil Cruz and Bryan De La Cruz to end the game and pick up his first save for Arizona. With Paul Sewald being removed from the closing role, it's been Thompson who's received the first two save chances. However, Thompson has allowed a run in both appearances, which could open the door for Puk to see some ninth-inning work.

Puk allowed one run on three hits over one-third of an inning in Friday's 9-8 win over the Pirates.

EDGE Analysis

Puk entered to clean up a mess made by Kevin Ginkel in the sixth inning but couldn't prevent the Pirates from taking the lead. Both Puk and Ginkel were speculated as options to close out games after manager Torey Lovullo announced earlier in the day that Paul Sewald would no longer be the club's closer. Ryan Thompson eventually closed out the win after Arizona retook the lead, but Lovullo, who did not specifically name a replacement for Sewald, trusts all three of those relievers.

Puk and Kevin Ginkel are the favorites for save opportunities after Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald from the closer role Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Puk has recorded a hold and has five strikeouts in three scoreless appearances since being acquired by Arizona last week, and the closer role is now open after Sewald's rough July. Lovullo didn't name a replacement, but Puk and the right-handed Ginkel are the likeliest candidates to take over. Ryan Thompson could also be involved.