ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Putz’s struggles don’t worry Towers

Jun 29, 2011, 5:21 PM | Updated: 7:43 pm

J.J. Putz began the 2011 baseball season with two perfect months.

The closer was 16 for 16 in save opportunities in April and May and did not blow a save until June 1.

In June, Putz is just five for nine in save opportunities and many Diamondbacks fans are beginning to wonder what has happened to their closer.

Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers is not concerned despite Putz’s recent struggles.

“This guy was a set-up guy last year, he wasn’t closing,” Towers said on Sports 620 KTAR’s Doug and Wolf. “It’s a lot more intense of a role. Although he did it three or four years ago, it’s been a few years since he’s done it. I would imagine he is probably going through a bit of a dead arm period; his velocity’s been down the last couple times. This happens throughout baseball.”

The baseball season is long and Putz’s struggles have caused fans to worry, but he is still having a tremendous season.

Comments

Comment guidelines: No name-calling, personal attacks, profanity, or insults. Please keep the conversation civil and help us moderate comments by reporting abuse.
comments powered by Disqus

Arizona Diamondbacks

Arizona Diamondbacks' Christian Walker (53) is tagged out by San Francisco Giants first baseman LaM...

Associated Press

Diamondbacks’ bats go quiet in shutout loss to Giants

Diamondbacks hitters went three-up, three-down in seven innings on Thursday as they dropped the series opener to the Giants.

15 hours ago

Ryne Nelson...

Arizona Sports

Ryne Nelson pulled after 2 innings with right elbow contusion

D-backs' Ryne Nelson exited a series-opening loss to the San Francisco Giants after a ball came back to hit his throwing arm.

16 hours ago

Eugenio Suárez...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks drop messy getaway game to Cubs in avoidable series loss

The group of self-inflicted losses from the Diamondbacks early this season grew on Wednesday against the Cubs.

2 days ago

Jordan Montgomery...

Arizona Sports

Jordan Montgomery to debut for Diamondbacks with start Friday vs. Giants

Jordan Montgomery will make his Arizona Diamondbacks debut Friday against the San Francisco Giants, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters.

2 days ago

Tommy Henry...

Alex Weiner

Diamondbacks roster moves: Tommy Henry optioned, Eduardo Rodriguez moved to 60-day IL

The Arizona Diamondback made roster moves to help the bullpen after back-to-back extra-inning games against the Chicago Cubs.

2 days ago

Randal Grichuk...

Alex Weiner

Clutch moments from Ketel Marte, Randal Grichuk push Diamondbacks to win over Cubs

Randal Grichuk smoked a gapper to walk the Cubs off and give the D-backs a victory that left manager Torey Lovullo emotionally drained. 

2 days ago

Putz’s struggles don’t worry Towers