The Arizona Diamondbacks are shifting to a closer by committee strategy, removing Paul Sewald from his closer role, as announced by manager Torey Lovullo. Despite Sewald having secured 24 of the team's 28 saves, his recent performance has prompted this change, highlighted by a 5.26 ERA this season, including a troubling 7.16 ERA since June. Following a botched save opportunity where Sewald allowed three runs, the team aims to explore other options for late-inning duties. Rookie Brandyn Garcia, who has been effective this season with a 2.17 ERA, is among the front-runners for these opportunities.

By the Numbers
  • Paul Sewald converted 24 of 28 save opportunities (85.7% success rate).
  • Sewald has a 5.26 ERA overall and a 7.16 ERA since June 1.
  • He is tied for the MLB lead in home runs allowed among relievers with 11.
State of Play
  • The D-Backs bullpen has managed to keep the team's Wild Card hopes alive despite Sewald's struggles.
  • Rookie Brandyn Garcia is having a standout season and recorded his second save recently.
  • Arizona is looking to add depth, particularly a second left-handed reliever alongside Garcia.
What's Next

The Diamondbacks are expected to evaluate their bullpen depth leading up to the trade deadline. A potential return from Justin Martinez could stabilize the closer role later this season. Additionally, they might target a low-cost left-handed reliever while trying to avoid exceeding the luxury tax threshold.

Bottom Line

As the D-Backs navigate their bullpen's challenges, flexibility in their late-inning strategy and strategic trades could be key to maintaining their playoff contention. Monitoring Sewald's performance and the evolving bullpen dynamics will be crucial for team success moving forward.