Diamondbacks’ A.J. Puk to start facing live hitters in big step toward return

PHOENIX — Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk is scheduled to face live hitters at Salt River Fields on Tuesday, the first time he will do so since undergoing elbow surgery last summer, manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday.

Puk entered 2025 as a co-closer with Justin Martinez, and they along with starter Corbin Burnes made up the big three, so-to-speak, of key pitchers who needed season-ending elbow surgeries. Puk is ahead of Martinez (potentially August) and Burnes (July target) on their respective return timelines.

If all goes well on Tuesday, Puk could return to game action this weekend in the Arizona Complex League.

“There’s going to potentially be a game pitched this weekend, Saturday. Those are the plans right now,” Lovullo said. “So, if he checks those boxes, I think we’re going to get him out on a rehab as soon as possible.”

 

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Puk suggested last month that he could go on a rehab assignment in late May, so that timeline appears to be unfolding so long as he continues to feel good throwing the baseball. Lovullo mentioned Puk has been hitting mid-90s mph during bullpens.

The plan for Puk on Tuesday, Lovullo said, is probably to throw one inning of 15-20 pitches.

Puk has made 38 appearances with the Diamondbacks since the 2024 trade deadline, pitching to a 1.78 ERA with 14 strikeouts per nine innings during that span. He has not pitched for the club since April 17, 2025, as he underwent an internal brace procedure after trying to rest and rehab his elbow.

His return would provide Lovullo another high-leverage arm with plus stuff, perhaps a closer depending on how they work him back into the fold.

Arizona Diamondbacks notes: D-backs honor Nicole Hazen

Donation for brain tumor research in honor of Nicole Hazen

General manager Mike Hazen, the Diamondbacks Foundation and the Barrow Women’s Board presented a $200,000 donation to the Ivy Brain Tumor Center and Dr. Nader Sanai before Monday’s game against the Giants for Brain Tumor Awareness Day and to honor the memory of Nicole Hazen. 

Nicole, Mike’s late wife, died in 2022 after a battle with glioblastoma. 

The Nicole Hazen Fund for Hope has donated more than $2 million since its inception to support glioblastoma research, treatment and clinical trials. 

“We talked a lot about what it would mean if we could find a way to raise money to help other people not have to go through the things that she went through,” Hazen said on Monday. “It was terrible. And it’s something that we’re all going to live with forever.
And obviously, she paid with her life. But if we can find a way to continue to give people hope … we’ll do anything we can.”

The Ivy Brain Tumor Center at Barrow Neurological Institute is a nonprofit brain tumor research program with a mission to increase life expectancy and contribute to finding a cure.

Mike Hazen, the Diamondbacks Foundation and the Barrow Women’s Board presented $200,000 to the Ivy Brain Tumor Center for Brain Tumor Awareness Day and in honor of the late Nicole Hazen. pic.twitter.com/Hk569VxtGa

— Alex Weiner (@alexjweiner) May 19, 2026

Anniversary of a perfect game

Monday is the anniversary of Hall of Famer Randy Johnson’s perfect game.

On May 18, 2004, Johnson took the mound at then-called Turner Field in Atlanta and became the oldest pitcher in MLB history to throw a perfect game (40 years, 251 days).

It was the 17th perfect game in major league history (currently 24), with the Big Unit remaining the only Diamondbacks pitcher to do so.

On that night, Johnson threw 117 pitches and struck out 13 Braves hitters, punching out Eddie Perez to secure a 2-0 win and make history.

#OTD in 2004, Randy Johnson was perfect.

The future Hall of Famer became the oldest pitcher to throw a perfect game, accomplishing the feat for the @Dbacks at 40 years old. https://t.co/7FOvykycNH pic.twitter.com/HlFIOrmvuF

— National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum ⚾ (@baseballhall) May 18, 2026

Jordan Lawlar making progress

Outfielder Jordan Lawlar had a CT Scan recently, which Lovullo said showed he is on track in his progression from a broken right wrist. Lawlar got a bat in his hands and started taking dry swings.

“Healing is exactly where it should be,” Lovullo said.

Lawlar is eligible to return in early June.

Prospect honored

Double-A Amarillo outfielder Gavin Conticello, the club’s No. 30 prospect via MLB Pipeline, won the Texas League Player of the Week after 9-for-20 with three home runs over five games.

The 22-year-old has an .801 OPS with 13 extra-base hits in 33 games this season for the Sod Poodles.

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