60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Sun 7/28/24 12:47 PM

Puk allowed one walk and struck out one over a scoreless eighth inning in Saturday's 9-5 win over the Pirates.
EDGE Analysis
Puk made his debut for the Diamondbacks after being acquired from the Marlins on Thursday. The left-hander was brought in to face the top of the Pirates order, which included three right-handed batters, so it would seem manager Torey Lovullo is comfortable using the new reliever against all hitters. Puk becomes the second lefty out of the bullpen along with Joe Mantiply, who typically gets opponents' toughest lefties and can now get a break. Puk will join other setup arms, like Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and Ryan Thompson.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Thu 7/25/24 9:30 PM

The Diamondbacks acquired Puk from the Marlins in exchange for Deyvison De Los Santos and Andrew Pintar on Thursday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Puk has been dominant as a reliever this season, posting a 2.08 ERA and 0.76 WHIP with a 33:6 K:BB in 30.1 innings after he began the year in the rotation and posted a 9.22 ERA in four starts. He'll provide needed fortification to the back of the Diamondbacks bullpen, as closer Paul Sewald has struggled for much of July. Puk seems likely to start out in more of a setup role but could be a factor for saves, especially if Sewald is unable to get back on track.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Wed 7/24/24 10:10 AM

Puk (4-8) earned the win Tuesday over the Orioles, striking out three over two perfect innings.
EDGE Analysis
Puk has been excellent since returning to Miami's bullpen -- the left-hander hasn't allowed a run in his last 16.2 innings, posting a stellar 0.42 WHIP while striking out 25 in that span. With Tanner Scott expected to be moved at the trade deadline, Puk would seemingly be the favorite to take over the closer role. He's lowered his ERA to 4.30 on the season with a 1.34 WHIP and 45:23 K:BB across 44 innings.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Mon 6/24/24 11:03 AM

Puk (1-8) was credited with the win Sunday over the Mariners, striking out two batters in two perfect innings of relief.
EDGE Analysis
The left-hander took over from Kyle Tyler to begin the fifth inning with the Marlins ahead 6-2, and Puk needed only 20 pitches (14 strikes) to rack up six outs and become the pitcher of record. He appears to be regaining his prior form now that he's no longer in the rotation -- through 10.2 innings in June, Puk sports a 3.38 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 10:1 K:BB. Should closer Tanner Scott be dealt by the trade deadline, Puk would be a candidate for saves given his experience in the role last year.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Tue 6/18/24 10:58 AM

Puk (0-8) took the loss Monday as the Marlins fell to the Cardinals in 12 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits in an inning of relief.
EDGE Analysis
With the score tied 5-5, Puk got the call in the top of the 12th and served up what proved to be a game-winning two-run homer to Masyn Winn. The southpaw has pitched better since shifting back to the bullpen, and over his last 10 appearances he's posted a 3.48 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 10.1 innings; however, he has only one hold -- and three losses -- during that stretch.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Mon 6/10/24 10:04 AM

Puk (0-7) took the loss Sunday against the Guardians, coughing up three runs on three hits in a third of an inning.
EDGE Analysis
Entering the game in the seventh inning with the score tied 2-2, Puk gave up a couple one-out singles before Tyler Freeman got hold of a sweeper on the inside corner of the plate and pulled it over the left-field fence. Puk's fortunes haven't improved much since he came off the IL in mid-May and returned to the bullpen -- over his last 11 innings, he's stumbled to a 4.91 ERA with a 6:3 K:BB.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Tue 5/28/24 10:20 AM

Puk (0-6) took the loss Monday against the Padres, giving up an unearned run on one hit over two-thirds of an inning.
EDGE Analysis
Entering a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the seventh, Puk appeared to have gotten out of the inning when he coaxed a grounder from Fernando Tatis for a potential double play, but Tim Anderson couldn't come up with the ball -- the first of two errors in the frame for the Marlins' shortstop. Puk's move back to the bullpen hasn't helped him turn his season around -- through five relief appearances and four innings, he has a 6.75 ERA and a 1:2 K:BB.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Wed 5/15/24 12:01 AM

Puk earned the save Tuesday against the Tigers, delivering a scoreless 10th inning in a 1-0 victory.
EDGE Analysis
After the Marlins finally opened the scoring in the top of the 10th inning, Puk induced three straight flyouts in the bottom half to strand the free runner at second and earn his first save in his second appearance out of the bullpen this season. Puk spent three weeks on the IL with shoulder fatigue after struggling mightily to a 9.22 ERA in four chances as a starter. The 29-year-old left-hander certainly had more success out of the bullpen last season, when he pitched to a 3.97 ERA with 15 saves in 56.2 innings. Puk was immediately inserted back into a high-leverage role, though he'll likely work primarily as a setup option ahead of Tanner Scott.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Mon 5/13/24 4:16 PM

The Marlins activated Puk (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Monday.
EDGE Analysis
It's been a little more than three weeks since Puk landed on the IL with left shoulder fatigue, but he's ready to return after yielding two runs with a 7:0 K:BB over 3.2 innings across his four minor-league rehab appearances. Puk struggled mightily as a member of the Miami rotation earlier this season, but he'll be used in relief in his return from the IL and should eventually see usage in high-leverage spots.

60DA.J. Puk
RP ARI
Mon 5/6/24 4:22 PM

Puk (shoulder) made the second appearance of his rehab assignment with the Marlins' rookie-level Florida Complex League affiliate Monday, striking out two over a scoreless inning.
EDGE Analysis
Puk has turned in identical two-strikeout perfect innings in the FCL since he started up his rehab assignment Friday. The left-hander broke camp as a member of the Miami rotation, but after turning in a 9.22 ERA and 2.63 WHIP over his four starts before landing on the injured list April 20 with shoulder fatigue, he'll work out of the bullpen once the Marlins activate him. Puk could settle into a high-leverage role in front of closer Tanner Scott right away upon his return to the big club.