A.J. Puk Fantasy Stats

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) has started throwing "shortbox bullpens," which means the catcher sets up closer to the pitcher, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Puk is opening the 2026 regular season on the 60-day injured list after having an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow on June 20 of last year. Barring a setback, he's expected to return to the D-backs' bullpen around the All-Star break in mid-July. With fellow reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) also recovering from Tommy John surgery, Arizona's bullpen will be very vulnerable in the first half of the season. Veteran Paul Sewald could be the favorite for save opportunities, but manager Torey Lovullo could also mix and match with arms like Taylor Clarke, Jonathan Loaisiga, and Kevin Ginkel. It's truly a bullpen situation that fantasy managers should be looking to avoid, if at all possible.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) said he would "love" to be back by early May, but that's unlikely to happen, according to Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. Puk does expect to be back before July, though. Meanwhile, fellow high-leverage reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) is targeting a late-August return in 2026. Puk, 30, underwent an internal-brace procedure on his left elbow last June, which isn't as serious as Tommy John surgery. Barring a setback, Puk should return before the All-Star break and get a shot at save chances before Martinez makes his season debut. Before his elbow injury in 2025, Puk had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 12 strikeouts, and two walks in just eight innings out of the bullpen. The 6-foot-7 hurler has lots of upside as a high-leverage reliever, but durability issues make him a question mark in fantasy baseball.

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) will undergo season-ending surgery on his left elbow, manager Torey Lovullo announced. It's unclear whether it'll be Tommy John surgery or brace surgery, but Puk will miss the rest of the season either way. The Diamondbacks have gone without Puk for most of the season, having placed him on the injured list on April 18 with inflammation in his elbow. The 30-year-old southpaw performed well in a high-leverage role early in the season, converting all four of his save chances and picking up a pair of holds in eight appearances. He may now have to work back from his second Tommy John procedure. The Diamondbacks recently lost fellow high-leverage reliever Justin Martinez to TJ surgery, leaving the closer role to righty Shelby Miller.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-hander A.J. Puk (elbow) has paused his throwing program and will visit with Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles, according to manager Torey Lovullo. It's ominous news for Puk, who has been on the injured list since mid-April with left-elbow inflammation. Not only will the 30-year-old not return in the first half of the season, but the D-backs got more bad news on Friday when they learned that right-handed reliever Justin Martinez (elbow) will need Tommy John surgery and be out for at least the next 12 to 13 months. Depending on how Puk's visit with ElAttrache goes, there's a possibility that Puk will also need TJ surgery and miss the rest of the year. Arizona's bullpen has been decimated by injuries this year, with right-handed veteran Shelby Miller now in the lead for primary save duties.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk (elbow) continues to work his way back from elbow issues and has stretched out to 120 feet, per manager Torey Lovullo. Puk was able to avoid surgery after landing on the 15-day injured list in mid-April after appearing in eight games. He had 12 strikeouts and gave up three runs while converting all four save chances and picking up two holds as well. The lefty will look to continue to ramp up and return to the Diamondbacks bullpen in the near future. He will likely need a rehab stint after so long on the sidelines, so he is still a few steps away from returning to the bullpen mix for Arizona. The fact that there has been progress without setbacks, though, is a good sign for the 30-year-old southpaw.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) is throwing out to 75 feet, according to manager Torey Lovullo. It is to be determined when he'll throw a bullpen session, but Puk hasn't had any setbacks to this point as he makes progress from inflammation in his left elbow that has kept him out since April 17. The 30-year-old southpaw is not eligible to return from the 60-day injured list until July 1, so he has a ways to go before he'll be able to rejoin the back end of Arizona's bullpen. When healthy, though, Puk is one of the club's top options for saves. The former first-rounder had a 3.38 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and four saves while striking out 12 and walking two in eight innings over his first eight appearances this year before his injury. Until Puk is able to return from the IL, expect right-hander Justin Martinez to see the lion's share of save opps in the desert.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said on Monday that left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) is expected to pick up a baseball later this week or early next week and resume throwing. Puk complained of left-elbow stiffness after his outing on April 17 and underwent an MRI exam before being placed on the injured list on April 19 with left-elbow inflammation. The 30-year-old southpaw was later shifted to the 60-day IL on May 1, which means he cannot return to the major-league roster as a late-inning bullpen piece until early June. In the meantime, the D-backs could get righty reliever Justin Martinez (shoulder) back from his IL stint later this week. Whenever Puk is able to return to the Snakes, the D-backs figure to continue mixing and matching with him and Martinez in save situations. Puk had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves and 12 K's in eight innings pitched before his injury.

The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, according to the team. Puk is on the shelf with a left-elbow flexor strain, although he won't need to go under the knife. Still, the 30-year-old southpaw is facing an extended absence, and Arizona's bullpen could be in trouble with right-hander Justin Martinez (shoulder) landing on the IL on Thursday. Fantasy managers may want to expect a closer-by-committee setup in the desert now with sav options including Ryan Thompson (he picked up the save on Wednesday, Shelby Miller and Kevin Ginkel. Puk will surely be in the mix for save chances again when he's fully healthy, but that might not be until sometime in June. He had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves and 12 strikeouts in eight innings before his injury.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) will not require surgery for his left-elbow flexor strain, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Puk will not throw for the next two to three weeks and will resume throwing once he's asymptomatic. It's ultimately good news for the 30-year-old southpaw, but fantasy managers stashing him will still need to remain patient and should expect a lengthy absence. Before his injury, the former sixth overall pick of the Athletics in 2016 out of the University of Florida had a 3.38 ERA (4.45 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 12 strikeouts and two walks in eight innings pitched for the Snakes. When he returns, Puk will re-enter the mix for saves in Arizona alongside Justin Martinez. In the meantime, Martinez will function as the team's primary closer, which means he should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk (elbow) will likely miss multiple months in a best-case scenario, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. There is no official word yet on a timetable from the Diamondbacks, but Puk is currently awaiting word from two orthopedic doctors on the severity of his elbow injury. Seeking multiple opinions on an elbow injury is never a good sign, and Arizona's bullpen will likely be without Puk for a while. For fantasy purposes, this makes Justin Martinez a full-time closer who should be rostered in most leagues.