Kevin Ginkel Fantasy Stats

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel hasn't previously been a full-time closer, but he could be the early favorite to earn save opportunities during the 2026 season. His primary competition at this point is veteran reliever Paul Sewald, who was the Snakes' closer in 2023 and 2024 but then struggled while splitting time with the Guardians and Tigers last year. Sewald finished 2025 with a 5.00 xFIP, two saves, and two blown saves, leading him back to Arizona this offseason. Now that Sewald has shown he no longer has high-leverage save appeal, the closer job may be Ginkel's to lose. Ginkel tossed 25.2 innings in the majors last year, posting 10.17 K/9, 4.56 BB/9, and 0.70 K/9. He had an atrocious 7.36 ERA, but his 3.64 FIP suggests he was extremely unlucky and should bounce back this year. The walk rate isn't ideal, either, but we're encouraged by his high strikeout rate and low home run rate. In all likelihood, the D-backs will operate in a "closer by committee" situation, giving saves to whichever leverage arm has been most successful lately. There's a good chance the first dibs go to Ginkel, though.

The Arizona Diamondbacks don't have a clear idea of who their closer will be in 2026, but manager Torey Lovullo mentioned relievers Paul Sewald, Kevin Ginkel, and Ryan Thompson as potential options in the ninth inning, according to Alex D'Agostino of Sports Illustrated. Sewald was the team's closer in 2023 as they made a run to the World Series, and Ginkel and Thompson were the only incumbent veterans heading into camp before Arizona brought Sewald back. Lovullo wants a defined closer, if possible, and he's stated his preference for having that arm repeatedly. The skipper also said he will consider "migrating" any young arm capable of doing so into a high-leverage role with both Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk starting the year on the injured list. None of Arizona's current options are great, so it seems more likely that the D-backs enter 2026 with a closer-by-committee situation. It's a situation that fantasy managers should avoid, if possible.

The Arizona Diamondbacks announced that they have transferred right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL. The team selected the contract of righty Casey Kelly from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move. This concludes a disastrous season for Ginkel, who went on the IL on Monday with a shoulder sprain and is now ineligible to return in 2025. Ginkel was effective out of the Diamondbacks' bullpen from 2022-24, a 164 2/3-inning span in which he notched a 2.95 ERA. This season was a different story, though. The 31-year-old battled shoulder troubles throughout the campaign and spiraled to a 7.36 ERA with a 1.64 WHIP, 29:13 K:BB, six holds, and three saves over 25 1/3 innings.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is seeking a second opinion on his right shoulder sprain, raising concerns that he could miss the rest of the season. Ginkel was placed on the 15-day injured list on August 4 and has not set a timeline for his return. The 31-year-old has struggled in his seventh MLB season, posting a 7.36 ERA and a 1.64 WHIP across 25 2/3 innings. He was 3-for-4 in save opportunities and recorded six holds before the injury stalled his 2025 campaign. His loss would weaken a pitching staff that already ranks 25th in the league with a 4.55 ERA.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel picked up his second save of the season in Monday's 6-3 win over the Padres. Ginkel came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He allowed a leadoff walk but got the first out on a fly-out and ended the game by inducing a groundball double play. The 31-year-old missed the beginning of the season with right shoulder inflammation and was then optioned to Triple-A Reno for a period of time. However, with Justin Martinez (elbow) and A.J. Puk (elbow) out with elbow injuries and Shelby Miller (forearm) recently placed on the injured list with a forearm strain, it appears that Ginkel may be next up for save opportunities. He has been erratic this season, compiling a 9.00 ERA, a 1.75 WHIP, and a 10.35 K/9 rate in 20 innings pitched. Fantasy managers may want to see a bit more consistency before trusting him, even in deeper roto leagues.

The Arizona Diamondbacks optioned right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel to Triple-A Reno on Thursday and selected the contract of right-hander Jeff Brigham from Reno in a corresponding move. Ginkel has been a mainstay in Arizona's bullpen over the last few years, but he opened the 2025 season on the injured list with a shoulder injury and hasn't been the same key setup man since his return in late April. The 31-year-old veteran has allowed 14 earned runs on 14 hits (two home runs) with one save, seven walks and 15 strikeouts in his 10 innings of relief so far this year. Ginkel surrendered five runs to both the Dodgers on May 9 and the Pirates on Tuesday in two stunning losses for the club. The veteran reliever will probably be back in the desert sooner than later, but the D-backs are choosing to shake things up after having lost seven of their last eight games.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel had an atrocious outing on Friday, allowing five runs (all earned), blowing the save, and taking the loss in a 14-11 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ginkel was summoned with a three-run lead in the ninth, and proceeded to get only one out while giving up four hits and hitting a batter before being pulled. Shohei Ohtani then hit a three-run homer to add a few more earned runs to Ginkel's line. The disastrous affair brings Ginkel's ERA to 15.43 and his WHIP to 2.57. Even though Arizona's bullpen is depleted right now, it seems unlikely that Ginkel will get another chance to close out games, at least for a while. Shelby Miller will likely see the bulk of the opportunities, and he is worth a look in leagues where saves are scarce.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. This is a good step forward as Ginkel has been sidelined to open the season with right shoulder inflammation. The D-Backs are certainly excited to get Ginkel back soon considering he was one of their last relief pitchers last season. He posted a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, with a 77/15 K/BB ratio in 72 appearances in 2024. Ginkel figures to get some save chances in Arizona, but will probably be stuck behind A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez in the pecking order. That being said, Ginkel probably won't be worth rostering in fantasy formats, but his progress is good news for the D-Backs bullpen.

The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to March 24) due to right-shoulder inflammation. This move was expected after Ginkel developed some shoulder inflammation late in spring training. The good news is that the 31-year-old veteran might come off the IL as soon as he's eligible to return in early April. To start the season, the D-backs will mix and match save chances with righty Justin Martinez and left-hander A.J. Puk. While Ginkel might not see many save opportunities in 2025 if both Martinez and Puk stay healthy, he should still be valuable in holds leagues as a high-leverage bullpen arm for the Snakes. Ginkel had one of his best seasons in 2024 and set career-highs in appearances (72), innings (70), strikeouts (77) and holds (18) out of Arizona's bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks right-handed reliever Kevin Ginkel (shoulder) is likely to start the 2025 regular season on the injured list due to shoulder inflammation, according to manager Torey Lovullo. Ginkel began dealing with inflammation in his shoulder at the end of camp, but he's not expected to have an extended stay on the IL. The 31-year-old veteran is entering the seventh season of his MLB career, with all previous six campaigns coming in the desert. He went 8-3 in 2024 with a 3.21 ERA (2.85 FIP), a 1.20 WHIP, a career-high five saves, a career-high 77 strikeouts and 15 walks in 70 relief innings for the Snakes. Ginkel also picked up a career-best 18 holds and should once again be useful in fantasy leagues that count holds as one of Arizona's primary late-inning setup men in front of closing options Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk.