LOS ANGELES — Arizona Diamondbacks reliever A.J. Puk began his throwing program out to 60 feet on Monday, starting a progression to get back from the injured list.
Puk was placed on the 15-day IL with left elbow inflammation retroactive to April 18 and moved to the 60-day IL on May 1.
“ I’m sure the ball felt foreign in his hand,” manager Torey Lovullo said pregame on Monday at Dodger Stadium. “He hadn’t been throwing, he followed the protocol perfectly, but to get a ball and start throwing it, he said he felt really good.
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“Getting that clock started and getting him started on that return to throw routine is really important to this team. We’re not gonna run it too fast. We gotta make sure that we take good care of it.”
He cannot come off the injured list until the back half of June, at which time he could provide a significant boost to the bullpen for the second half.
The new of Puk’s progress comes right around when fellow reliever Justin Martinez is set to make a major step in his return (shoulder inflammation).
Martinez will throw in a rehab game for Triple-A Reno on Tuesday. He is scheduled to throw one inning and up to around 25 pitches. The club will evaluate his next step after the outing.
Starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez, meanwhile, threw out to 90 feet on Monday, Lovullo said.
Rodriguez landed on the 15-day IL on Friday with left shoulder inflammation. Ryne Nelson is going to start in his place on Tuesday against the Dodgers.
Ryne Nelson keeping it consistent for Diamondbacks
Nelson is going to make his second start of the season after breaking camp as a long reliever. The most consistent starter in Arizona’s rotation during the latter three months of the 2024 season, Nelson has rolled with the punches as well as any young player Lovullo said he’s seen.
“We get excited every time we get the ball, so for me, just trying to treat it like any other outing,” Nelson said pregame on Monday. “Not get too amped up about it and just go about my process. Go out there and compete.”
Nelson’s run of excellence last year began with a five-inning outing in which he allowed one run at Dodger Stadium.
Since the start of 2024, Nelson has thrown 12 innings with one earned run against the Dodgers, a challenge he has embraced.
“Just the opportunity to go out there and compete against these guys is a pleasure,” Nelson said. “Focus on what I can and just execute those pitches where I’m trying to, and I think that takes care of itself.”
Nelson this season has a 5.13 ERA in 10 appearances.
Tim Tawa taking pride in filling into new roles
About a week ago, utility man Tim Tawa was primarily a second baseman for the D-backs. Now, he’s a center fielder.
With Ketel Marte back in the lineup and Jordan Lawlar up in the big leagues, opportunities along the infield will be scarce for Tawa, but his value in the outfield has been evident, giving the team a right-handed option to work off Alek Thomas in center.
“I think it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing, being able to fill in wherever the team needs me,” Tawa told Arizona Sports.
Tawa said he played mostly up the middle of the infield growing up with some center field mixed in. His versatility extends well beyond baseball, as he was a standout football and basketball player in high school, as well.
He played everywhere on the field as a minor leaguer, which along with his bat have helped him find a niche as a role player on this team.
The D-backs threw him into the deep end by starting him in center at Oracle Park last week, and he’s held his own with one defensive run saved in only 15 innings entering Monday.
Tawa has been putting in early work with outfield coach Dave McKay.
“(McKay) is somebody that has a lot of knowledge, a lot of experience out there, so just trying to absorb as much as I can,” Tawa said. “Watching AT, he’s one of the best out there and seeing how he goes about his business, trying to emulate that in a lot of ways, it’s been good for me, too.”
What do you do when the other team changes its pitcher?
The Diamondbacks had to reshuffle their lineup on Monday, as the Dodgers announced they would use left-hander Jack Dreyer to open for their previously-listed starter, right-hander Landon Knack.
So what went on behind the scenes for the Diamondbacks to counter?
“ I was a little bit surprised by it,” Lovullo said. “Gave us enough time to react. I came in here and did some work with the team that’s built around me to maximize some opportunities to put the best lineup out there and be as creative as possible. There’s projections. We can see who they used, who they haven’t used, all the common things that people at home if you have the information I do would be doing.
“So, who’s usable? Who’s not usable? What’s it gonna look like at the beginning and middle and end? And how are we gonna counter punch that with the best lineup possible? So we did change the lineup a little bit.”
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