Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Tue 2/17/26 9:20 AM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo mentioned Ginkel, Paul Sewald and Ryan Thompson as candidates to emerge as the club's closer, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
"I mean it's probably simple arithmetic for you guys to figure out," Lovullo said. "I'm just going to go kind of blind here, but Sewald, Ginkel, Thompson, all those guys that have had that experience in big moments... they're all wanting to do it." Lovullo added that he would like to establish a defined closer, though it's unclear whether he plans to name one before Opening Day. A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow) could also figure into the closer mix when they return, though the latter won't be back until late in the season, if at all. Ginkel had a disastrous, injury-shortened 2025 season, posting a 7.36 ERA and 29:13 K:BB over 25.2 innings. He's healthy now, however, and from 2023-2024 he held a 2.86 ERA and 147:38 K:BB across 135.1 regular-season frames.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Tue 2/10/26 1:14 PM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Ginkel (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel missed most of the final two months of the 2025 regular season with a right shoulder sprain, but it appears he's come to camp without restrictions given that he's throwing off a mound on the first day pitchers and catchers reported to spring training. The veteran reliever is among those who should be in the mix to serve as closer as part of an unsettled Diamondbacks bullpen. Ginkel was limited to 29 appearances due to injury in 2025, finishing with a 7.36 ERA and 29:13 K:BB over 25.2 innings. From 2023-2024, Ginkel held a 2.86 ERA and 147:38 K:BB across 135.1 regular-season frames.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Fri 1/9/26 12:15 AM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Ginkel (shoulder) agreed to a one-year, $2.7 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks of SI reports.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel is in the final year of arbitration eligibility, and he earned a modest raise of $300,000 from 2025. He was shut down for the season in early August, and it's unclear whether he'll be ready to throw at the start of spring training.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Wed 8/6/25 5:32 PM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
The Diamondbacks transferred Ginkel (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel landed on the injured list Monday with a sprained right shoulder, and his move to the 60-day IL will ensure he remains sidelined for the rest of the regular season. The 31-year-old will finish 2025 with a 7.36 ERA and 1.62 WHIP over 25.2 innings, and Casey Kelly will come up from Triple-A Reno to fill the open 40-man roster spot.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Mon 8/4/25 5:46 PM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
The Diamondbacks placed Ginkel on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a sprained right shoulder, retroactive to Sunday.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel was slated to be in the closer mix after Shelby Miller (forearm) was traded to the Brewers, but the former will be shut down from throwing and undergo further tests to determine the severity of the injury. With Ginkel sidelined, Kendall Graveman and Jalen Beeks could be in line for closing duties.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Fri 7/25/25 10:12 PM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Ginkel tossed a perfect 11th inning to earn the save in Friday's 1-0 extra-innings win over the Pirates. He did not record a strikeout.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel was called upon to protect a one-run lead and needed only six pitches to retire the heart of the Pirates' order. The 31-year-old has allowed just two earned runs in eight July appearances, closing out two games in that span. He owns an ugly 7.66 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 27:13 K:BB across 24.2 innings but should continue to see save chances with Shelby Miller (forearm) on the injured list.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Wed 7/9/25 6:41 AM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Ginkel is among a few relievers that could get save opportunities with Shelby Miller (forearm) on the 15-day injured list, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "We're gonna piece it together the best way we can," Lovullo said. "I'm not gonna say anybody's gonna close the game."
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel received the first closing opportunity since Miller landed on the IL and successfully converted the save in Monday's 6-3 win over San Diego. Ginkel has history closing games with the Diamondbacks, but it's wise for the manager to not rely solely on a reliever that owns a grisly 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 2025. Weiner's report also mentioned Jalen Beeks (16 career saves) and rookies Kyle Backhus and Juan Morillo. The manager acknowledged that the two rookies will need to pitch in high-leverage situations going forward.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Tue 7/8/25 2:19 AM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Ginkel earned a save against the Padres on Monday, walking one batter in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel got the call in the ninth frame with Arizona holding a three-run lead, and he got the job done despite issuing a leadoff walk. It was just the second save of the season for Ginkel, but it's telling that he was chosen for the team's first save opportunity after Shelby Miller (forearm) landed on the injured list Monday. It remains to be seen how the Diamondbacks will handle the closer role while Miller is out of action, but Monday's usage suggests that Ginkel will be in the mix and may be the top ninth-inning option for the time being.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Thu 6/19/25 8:38 AM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
Ginkel allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to Toronto. He also hit a batter.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel made his second appearance since being recalled and both have been in low-leverage, mop-up duty. He managed to escape with a win in his first outing Saturday when the Diamondbacks scored five runs in the bottom of ninth to overcome a four-run deficit that Ginkel helped create. On Wednesday, he entered with Arizona trailing by four runs and threw just 13 strikes among his 29 offerings. Ginkel has allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while hitting a batter over two innings since his return to the majors.
Kevin Ginkel RP ARI Tue 6/10/25 6:31 PM
Kevin Ginkel
RP ARI
The Diamondbacks recalled Ginkel from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
Ginkel will be joined on the trip from Reno by Bryce Jarvis and Tayler Scott, who will all join the big-league squad to replace the injured Justin Martinez (elbow) and Christian Montes De Oca (elbow), as well as the demoted Jeff Brigham. Ginkel hasn't found much success in the big leagues this year with a 12.60 ERA through 10 innings, though he has the potential to bounce back after posting a 3.21 ERA in 70 MLB frames last season.