Just over a month into the season, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ closers are dropping like flies.
Due to injuries at the back end of the bullpen, the Diamondbacks would love to post a comfortable victory Friday when they open a three-game road series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Arizona began the season with a pair of solid options to close tight games, but A.J. Puk landed on the injured list with an elbow strain last month, and Justin Martinez joined him on the sidelines on Thursday because of shoulder fatigue.
Shelby Miller wrapped up Arizona’s 4-2 win over the New York Mets on Thursday, and Kevin Ginkel, who worked the eighth inning, could get closing opportunities as well.
“We have a deep group of guys that we trust,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said. “I know everybody’s going to ask me who’s going to be the closer. I don’t know what that answer is, but we miss A.J. and we’re going to miss J-Mart.
“But they’re going to heal and they’re going to come back and they’re going to help us win games. In the meantime, everybody’s going to hold down the fort and keep their seats warm for them.”
The Diamondbacks took two of three from the Mets this week and will look to continue the momentum behind right-hander Merrill Kelly (3-1, 4.41 ERA) in the opener of the weekend series.
Kelly allowed nine runs in 3 2/3 innings on April 3 against the New York Yankees but has pitched to a 2.17 ERA in his other five starts. He gave up two runs in six innings Saturday in Arizona’s 8-7, 10-inning loss to the Atlanta Braves.
For his career, Kelly is 2-1 with a 2.92 ERA in four starts against Philadelphia.
The Phillies will counter with Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.73 ERA), who has been dynamic since coming over in an offseason trade with the Miami Marlins.
The left-hander allowed just two unearned runs and three hits over six innings Saturday in a 10-4 road victory over the Chicago Cubs. He has worked at least five innings in all six of his starts and has given up more than two runs on just one occasion.
“He’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet until he gets on that hill, and then he turns into a different guy. He’s been outstanding,” Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson said.
Luzardo has made four starts against Arizona in his career, posting a 2-1 record with a 5.09 ERA.
Philadelphia has a surplus of starters, as Ranger Suarez is slated to make his season debut on Sunday — a return that could knock Taijuan Walker out of the rotation. Walker allowed four runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings Thursday as the Phillies fell to the visiting Washington Nationals 4-2.
“We’ll see what they say,” Walker said, regarding his role moving forward. “Ranger coming back is such a bonus for us. He’s such a good pitcher. I know we miss him in our rotation. We’ll see what happens. It’s always a good problem to have when you have guys throwing the ball well, especially in the starting rotation.”
The Diamondbacks went 4-3 against the Phillies last season after defeating Philadelphia in seven games in the 2023 National League Championship Series.
–Field Level Media
