Paul Sewald Fantasy Stats

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he'd be "foolish" not to consider veteran right-hander Paul Sewald for save chances this year with both Justin Martinez (elbow) and A.J. Puk (elbow) on the injured list to begin the 2026 season, according to 12 News' Cameron Cox. Lovullo mentioned Sewald's experience at the back of the bullpen in his career, as the 35-year-old has 86 saves over his nine major-league seasons with five different teams. He certainly isn't a slam-dunk saves candidate for the D-backs or for fantasy managers, though, as he posted a weak 4.58 ERA (4.66 FIP), a 1.22 WHIP, two saves, 20 strikeouts, and six walks in just 19 2/3 innings in 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. Sewald should be the Diamondbacks' first choice for save chances to begin the year, but Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson could also be sprinkled in, and this could quickly evolve if Sewald struggles. Fantasy managers are better off staying away.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald to a low-cost, one-year deal this past winter. The 35-year-old posted middling results across 19 2/3 innings split between the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers in 2025, pitching to a 4.58 ERA and 1.22 WHIP with 20 strikeouts. However, Sewald has a history with the Diamondbacks, recording 29 saves across 62 appearances with the team in 2023 and 2024. With top Arizona relievers Justin Martinez (elbow) and A.J. Puk (elbow) both set to open 2026 on the Injured List, Sewald may be the favorite to begin the season as the team's primary closer. While Diamondbacks right-handers Ryan Thompson and Kevin Ginkel have also been mentioned as options to work the ninth inning, neither has as much closer experience as Sewald. If Sewald can pitch well enough to hold on to the job, he could be a sleeper saves candidate that is currently undervalued in fantasy drafts.

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 signed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Thursday, pending a physical, according to Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Sewald was Arizona's closer in 2023 and had a career-high 34 saves that year, but he lost the role the following year before pitching with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers last season. The 35-year-old veteran only threw 19 2/3 innings in 2025 due to injuries and posted a 4.58 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, two saves, 20 strikeouts, and six walks in 22 appearances with Cleveland and Detroit. The D-backs will be thin in the bullpen to begin the 2026 campaign with both Justin Martinez (elbow) and A.J. Puk (elbow) on the shelf, which could open the door for the declining Sewald to see some save opportunities. At best, he'll be a desperation source of save chances for fantasy managers in deeper leagues.

The Detroit Tigers have activated right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) from the 60-day injured list and optioned righty Jose Urquidy to Triple-A Toledo. Sewald is ready to return after missing upward of two months with a shoulder strain. He spent the first few months of the season with the division-rival Cleveland Guardians, who traded him to the Tigers at the July 31 deadline. The 35-year-old is now set for his Detroit debut after recording a 4.70 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP, 18:4 K:BB, four holds, and two saves in 15 1/3 innings with Cleveland. Sewald hasn't pitched in the majors since July 11.

Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) tossed a scoreless inning with a walk and three strikeouts in his second minor-league rehab appearance for High-A West Michigan on Sunday. Sewald has now thrown two scoreless innings in as many outings with a hit allowed, a walk and four strikeouts with West Michigan. The 35-year-old veteran has been working his way back from a right-shoulder strain that initially landed him on the injured list back on July 15. He was since moved to the 60-day IL, but he could return on or near Wednesday, Sept. 10, according to MLB.com. Sewald was acquired in a trade by Detroit this year, but he has yet to pitch for the Tigers because of his injury. Before injuring his shoulder, he had a bloated 4.70 ERA with 18 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians. Sewald should remain on the waiver wire in all leagues.

Detroit Tigers reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) has begun a minor-league rehab assignment with High-A West Michigan, according to Emily Waldron of Baseball America. Seawald has been out with a strained right shoulder since July 12, but the Tigers acquired him from the Cleveland Guardians on July 31 with the hope that he'd bolster their bullpen late in the season. The 35-year-old threw 15 1/3 innings with the Guardians this season and posted a 4.70 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP, 18 strikeouts, and four walks. Barring setbacks, the Tigers expect to activate him from the 60-day injured list around Sept. 10.

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Paul Sewald (shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session prior to Saturday's home matchup against the Royals. The veteran has been on the shelf with a shoulder strain and hasn't pitched since July 11. The right-hander began a throwing progression on August 4, but this session will mark the first time he'll be throwing off a mound. The 35-year-old posted a 4.70 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a strong 22.6 percent K-BB% in 15 1/3 innings pitched earlier this season, and so long as he does not suffer a setback, he appears to be on track to be ready when he is first eligible to return on September 10.

Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) is rehabbing a shoulder strain and hopes to help the AL Central leaders in September and October, according to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic. Sewald began a throwing program Aug. 4 and has felt "great" in the early stages, but he noted that everything is "day-by-day in rehab." Although the 35-year-old hasn't pitched since July 11, the Tigers acquired him from the division-rival Cleveland Guardians at the trade deadline with the hope that he'd bolster their bullpen at the end of the season. Sewald recorded an unimpressive 4.70 ERA in 15 1/3 innings with the Guardians this year, though he did rack up 18 strikeouts against a mere four walks. He's on the 60-day injured list and eligible to debut with the Tigers on Sept. 10.

Detroit Tigers reliever Paul Sewald (shoulder) began a throwing program on Aug. 4 as he works toward a potential September return. Acquired at the trade deadline, Sewald is expected to serve as a key late-inning arm down the stretch, putting him in line for save and hold opportunities once healthy. The veteran right-hander is aiming to bolster a Detroit bullpen that's lacked consistency in high-leverage spots. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues or those preparing for playoff pushes should consider stashing Sewald now, as his experience and role could make him a valuable asset over the final weeks of the season.