Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel (knee) underwent x-rays on Saturday, which came back negative. Ginkel is considered day-to-day. The 30-year-old was diagnosed with a left knee contusion after being hit in the left leg with a comebacker during Saturday's game against the New York Mets. He picked up the win after throwing a scoreless inning before exiting. The 30-year-old is Arizona's primary setup man after posting a 4.09 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 20 strikeouts over 22 innings in 2024. Ginkel has more fantasy value in leagues, counting saves and holds, but is mainly an option in deep-league formats.
Kevin Ginkel Exits Early After Being Hit By Comebacker
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel exited Saturday's game against the New York Mets early after being hit in the knee by a comebacker off the bat of Brandon Nimmo. Ginkel was able to walk it off but had a noticeable limp. The team should be releasing more information on Ginkel's status later on Saturday, but until then he should be considered day-to-day. The 30-year-old had been having a subpar year after a very solid 2023 but was due for a touch of positive regression (4.29 ERA vs 3.93 xERA). Fantasy managers should keep an eye on his status going forward. In the meantime, Justin Martinez may get a few more innings as a right-handed option out of the pen if Ginkel is to miss some time.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel has been a viable option for the team early in the season. The right-hander was asked to take over the closer role after Paul Sewald (oblique) went down. On Sunday, Ginkel made it look easy as he threw a scoreless ninth inning to hold the one-run lead over the Seattle Mariners. He holds a 3.00 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and a 13/3 K/BB ratio, while converting five of his seven save chances. The expectation is that Ginkel will remain the primary closer until Sewald is ready to return.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel blew his second save of the season in Monday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Chicago Cubs. Ginkel entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead but allowed an earned run on two hits while walking none and striking out one. The tying run ended up scoring on a wild pitch all the way from second base to tie the game and eventually send it to extra frames. The 30-year-old was coming off three straight successful saves, so this hiccup probably won't hurt him too much as he fills in for Paul Sewald (oblique) in the short term in the closer's role. In his eight appearances out of the 'pen for Arizona so far this year, Ginkel has allowed five runs (three earned) on eight hits (one homer) while walking two and striking out 10.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel threw a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Ginkel entered the ninth inning to protect a two-run lead. The 30-year-old retired the side to earn his third save of the season. Ginkel owns a 2.45 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and nine strikeouts over 7 1/3 innings in 2024. He is Arizona's primary closer, while Paul Sewald (oblique) is sidelined. Sewald recently threw a bullpen session on Saturday as he continues to work his way back from a Grade 2 left oblique strain. Ginkel should see plenty of save chances until Sewald returns from the injured list and should be rostered in league formats.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel walked a tightrope on the way to tallying his second save in as many days, fanning two hitters in Wednesday's 5-3 win over the division-rival Colorado Rockies. Ginkel got Charlie Blackmon and Kris Bryant to strike out but allowed a single and two walks to fall into a hairy situation on Wednesday. Nolan Jones flied out to get Ginkel out of the bases-loaded jam, but the 30-year-old right-hander needed 29 pitches to lock it down. Filling in for injured closer Paul Sewald (oblique), Ginkel is posting a solid 2.84 ERA and 1.26 WHIP with nine punchouts over 6 1/3 frames as Arizona's interim favorite for saves. With Sewald still likely a few weeks away from returning to the D-backs' bullpen, Ginkel should be rostered in the majority of fantasy leagues for the time being.
Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo doesn't want to name a closer right away to open the season with right-hander Paul Sewald (oblique) starting the year on the injured list due to a Grade 2 left-oblique strain, but Kevin Ginkel is the most likely option to get the first crack at the job. Nothing is set in stone, though, and Scott McGough, who had nine saves in 2023, and Miguel Castro could be other options that Lovullo turns to late in games until Sewald is able to return. It's obviously a pretty big blow for Sewald's fantasy value to open the year, but Arizona's closer should be stashed in all fantasy leagues. The 30-year-old Ginkel picked up four saves in 2023 while also sporting a nice 2.48 ERA with 23 walks and 70 K's in 65 1/3 frames. Ginkel will now be a hot waiver-wire pickup for saves.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Kevin Ginkel (elbow) threw a bullpen session at camp on Tuesday. Ginkel entered spring training last week with some minor right-elbow soreness, but he was able to play catch over the weekend and is throwing his first bullpen session on Tuesday. Barring another setback with his right elbow, the 29-year-old reliever should have plenty of time to get ready for Opening Day. Ginkel had a great year for the D-backs in his third year with the team in 2023, going 9-1 with a 2.48 ERA (2.86 FIP), a 0.98 WHIP, a career-high four saves, 23 walks and a career-high 70 strikeouts in 65 1/3 relief innings in the regular season. He also had nine holds and was a ground-ball machine as Arizona's best overall relief pitcher. Ginkel should once again be relevant in deep holds leagues, but his bloated career walk rate points to regression in 2024.
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Kevin Ginkel (elbow) was able to play catch on Sunday without any issues. The right-hander began experiencing elbow soreness towards the beginning of February. The D-Backs might play it safe for a little bit, but Ginkel should be fine going forward. Last season, Ginkel posted a 2.48 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 70/23 K/BB ratio across 65 1/3 innings. The right-hander could pick up a handful of saves, but probably won't be the primary ninth-inning option.
Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel is dealing with right elbow soreness and will be slow played a bit during camp. The right-hander enjoyed an excellent 2023 season that saw him work to a 2.48 ERA across 60 appearances, locking down four saves and eight holds in the process. It was the second straight quality season for the 29-year-old after he worked to a 3.38 ERA in the 2022 campaign, albeit in just 30 appearances. The D-backs acquired closer Paul Sewald from the Mariners prior to the trade deadline last season, meaning Ginkel won't be in line for a ton of save opportunities in 2024, although he did post a 27.6% K% last season. He should get his fair share of holds but his fantasy value doesn't warrant an investment on draft day.
