Diamondbacks reliever A.J. Puk out for rest of 2026 season

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk will not pitch this season, manager Torey Lovullo announced on Friday.

Puk last pitched for the Diamondbacks on April 17, 2025, and it is possible he will not perform in Sedona red again given his upcoming free agency.

It has been a long road to get to this point, as Puk initially attempted to rehab an elbow injury, underwent an internal brace procedure last summer and hoped to be back by late May or June of this season.

He made five rehab appearances between the complex league and Triple-A Reno in late May and early June, but he suffered a capsule sprain in his left shoulder that doomed his comeback.

“He worked as hard as he possibly could, it just didn’t work out for him this year,” Lovullo said.

The Diamondbacks bullpen has maneuvered this season without Puk or fellow injured left-hander Andrew Saalfrank, who underwent shoulder surgery before spring training.

Brandyn Garcia has been the lone lefty in the bullpen for most of the year and has been arguably the most effective reliever on the team with a 2.03 ERA in 37 games.

Puk was Arizona’s most impactful trade deadline acquisition in 2024, as he pitched to a 1.32 ERA in 30 games while the Diamondbacks competed for a playoff spot.

He was co-closers with Justin Martinez to start last season before they both dealt with injuries.

Martinez is making his way back from Tommy John surgery. He will pitch for Single-A Visalia on Friday evening as he gets closer to helping the Diamondbacks chase a postseason berth.

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