Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo listed Sewald, Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson as candidates to emerge as the team'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 prefers to establish a defined closer, though it's unclear whether he intends to name one prior to Opening Day. A.J. Puk (elbow) and Justin Martinez (elbow) should also be in the closer mix when they return. Sewald was the Diamondbacks' closer when they won the National League pennant in 2023 and opened the 2024 season in the role before eventually losing it. The veteran righty held a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers during an injury-shortened 2025 season.

The Diamondbacks signed Sewald to a one-year, $1.5 million contract Thursday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald was the Diamondbacks' closer when they won the National League pennant in 2023 and opened the 2024 season in the role before eventually being replaced. He'll turn 36 in May and was limited to just 19.2 innings in 2025 due to injuries, posting a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers. Sewald might not have much left in the tank, but given of the state of Arizona's bullpen, it wouldn't be far-fetched that he winds up with some save opportunities.

The Tigers declined Sewald's $10 million mutual option for 2026 on Thursday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald exercised his part of the option, but the Tigers declined their side and will pay the reliever a $1 million buyout instead. The 35-year-old Sewald was limited to only 19.2 regular-season innings in 2025 due to a shoulder issue, posting a 4.58 ERA and 20:6 K:BB between the Guardians and Tigers. He finished the season healthy, but Sewald didn't pitch during the wild-card series versus the Guardians and was not included on the Tigers' ALDS roster.

The Tigers activated Sewald (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald was recovering from a right shoulder strain when the Tigers acquired him from the Guardians at the trade deadline, but he's made his way onto the active roster following five rehab appearances. The veteran reliever will likely be used in low-leverage spots initially but could find himself working in key situations if he looks sharp.

Sewald (shoulder), who has logged two scoreless innings in a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan, could return from the injured list as soon as Wednesday, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald has yet to pitch for Detroit after getting acquired in a trade before the deadline. The 33-year-old righty last saw the mound on July 11 when he was with Cleveland, and he posted a 4.70 ERA and 18 strikeouts across 15.1 innings for the Guardians before going down with a right shoulder strain. The Tigers are hoping Sewald can provide some veteran bullpen depth for the stretch run, though he's unlikely to see save chances ahead of Will Vest and Kyle Finnegan (groin) once he's healthy.

Sewald (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan on Thursday, Emily Waldon of Baseball America reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald landed on the injured list in mid-July and has been throwing for around a month. Due to his long layoff, he may need to make several rehab appearances before being activated.

Sewald (shoulder) threw live batting practice Monday at the Tigers' facility in Florida, MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald will likely face hitters on one or two more occasions before the Tigers send him out on a minor-league rehab assignment. Acquired from the Guardians on July 31, Sewald has yet to make his Tigers debut while recovering from a moderate teres major strain that he sustained prior to the trade. He's eligible to return from the 60-day injured list Sept. 10 and could be activated shortly after that date.

Sewald (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session Tuesday since resuming his throwing program earlier this month, Chris McCosky of The Detroit News reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald threw all fastballs in his first side session over the weekend, but he may have been able to incorporate some breaking pitches into Tuesday's workout. The right-hander is expected to complete at least a couple more bullpen sessions before he advances to facing hitters, and eventually, returns from the 60-day injured list in September. Sewald has yet to make his Tigers debut after he was initially placed on the Guardians' IL on July 15 due to a right shoulder strain before being traded to Detroit just over two weeks later.

Sewald (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

It appears to be the first time Sewald has thrown off a mound since he was diagnosed with a moderate teres major strain in mid-July. The veteran reliever is eligible for activation from the 60-day injured list Sept. 10 and hopes to join the Tigers' bullpen for the stretch run.

Sewald (shoulder) said he "felt great" after a recent throwing session and is optimistic that he can play a key role for the Tigers toward the end of the regular season and into the playoffs, Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Sewald, who was transferred to the 60-day injured list after coming over from the Guardians in a July 31 trade, is ineligible to return until Sept. 10. While that doesn't give the veteran righty a lot of time to impact fantasy squads, he might help the Tigers in real life once he fully recovers from his moderate teres major strain. With Tommy Kahnle struggling recently, the team could use another battle-tested bullpen option, and Sewald has World Series experience from his time with the Diamondbacks in 2023.