SCOTTSDALE — The Arizona Diamondbacks entered spring training without a set closer, and they probably will not pick one to start the regular season, manager Torey Lovullo said on Wednesday.
Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez and A.J Puk have all received consideration, but the Diamondbacks will roll with matching up their relievers to finish games.
Lovullo has said he’d prefer a closer, but the club will continue to evaluate its options as the games begin to count. Opening Day is on March 27, as the D-backs prepare to host the Chicago Cubs.
“Everyone’s thrown really well,” Lovullo said. “ I want somebody to emerge in the moment and see where that goes. If we got a wall of righties in the eighth, why wouldn’t I throw Puk (in the ninth)? And a wall of righties in the ninth, why wouldn’t I throw somebody like Martinez or Ginkel?
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“I don’t want to dismiss Joe Mantiply. He’s really good against lefties. So I don’t know what the answer is, but I’ll probably go more matchup based for right now until it’s the right time to make that decision.”
Lovullo said he was confident someone will emerge and take on the role as they enter higher stakes innings.
The Diamondbacks did not name a closer after Paul Sewald lost the role last summer, despite leaning on Martinez for many of those opportunities.
Martinez saved eight games with a 2.30 ERA from Aug. 1 to Sept. 3, but the D-backs resisted giving the 23-year-old fireballer the title. He finished his rookie year with a 2.48 ERA and elevated 29.5% strikeout rate.
Torey Lovullo says the Diamondbacks won't begin the season with a dedicated closer and will go closer-by-matchup to start 2025. pic.twitter.com/iaY1cjdRZV
— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) March 19, 2025
Puk emerged as a ninth-inning man late, as he dominated for two months after getting traded to Arizona by Miami. He worked a 1.32 ERA in 30 games for the D-backs, and Lovullo has said Puk being a lefty would not eliminate him from being the potential closer. He’s been a closer before for the 2023 Marlins.
Ginkel saved games early on as Sewald worked his way back from a spring training oblique strain.
“They’re getting after it really good, but I think there’s a natural build up that a big league season offers,” Lovullo said.
“I’ll see what it looks like on that stage and start to make some different decisions moving forward.”
The D-backs have had mixed results with the committee method in the recent past, but they have been openly confident in the group presently assembled.
Ryan Thompson has been a stable member of the bullpen since 2023, and the Diamondbacks have other options to fill out depth such as Bryce Jarvis and non-roster invitee Shelby Miller. Drey Jameson was optioned as he continues to build up after Tommy John surgery but could work his way to the majors.
There is also the question of how Arizona handles its starting pitchers who do not make the rotation.
The D-backs poked around for a closer this offseason but were unable to get a deal done. They added veteran reliever Kendall Graveman for depth in the bullpen, but he’s been held back this spring by back issues.
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