OCTOBER 9 • SACBEE.COM
Aztecs's hire ex-Padres closer Mark Melancon as pitching development coordinator San Diego State baseball coach Shaun Cole has added former major leaguer Mark Melancon to his staff ...
Shut down for year Manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been shut down for the year, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Impact Melancon began a minor-league rehab assignment last weekend with Triple-A Reno, but he was lit up for three earned runs while recording only two outs in his lone appearance on the farm. The veteran reliever suffered a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder this spring and did not wind up throwing a pitch in a major-league game this season. He carries a $5 million mutual option (or $2 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Starts rehab assignment Melancon (shoulder) allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno.
Impact This was the first game appearance in 2023 for Melancon, who has been out all season after being diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder back in March. It wasn't an encouraging first performance for the veteran reliever, but he's still hoping to show the Diamondbacks he's ready to rejoin their bullpen before the end of the week.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Throwing bullpen sessions Melancon (shoulder) has begun throwing off a mound, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Impact Melancon began his throwing program back in late May, but was just cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions within the past couple of weeks. There's no telling whether or not Melancon will be able to return to Arizona's bullpen before the end of the season, but considering how slow his rehab process has been up to this point, there's a chance the team opts to hold him out until 2024.
AUGUST 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Not yet cleared for mound work Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been throwing off flat ground from 130 feet, MLB.com reports.
Impact Melancon began his throwing program all the way back on May 22, and even though he's experienced no reported setbacks in his recovery from a subscapularis strain in the ensuing two and a half months, he still hasn't been cleared to resume throwing off a mound. As a one-inning relief pitcher, Melancon will require less buildup time than a starter, but based on how slowly his recovery from the injury has proceeded thus far, it's far from guaranteed that he'll be ready to pitch by the time the regular season ends.
AUGUST 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Begins throwing program Melancon (shoulder) began a throwing program Monday.
Impact Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain back in March. The pitcher said there were a couple of tears, but surgery would not be required.
MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Shifts to 60-day IL The Diamondbacks transferred Melancon (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Impact Melancon will move off the 40-man roster to help clear room for two new bullpen additions for the Diamondbacks in Peter Solomon and Jose Ruiz. The right-hander isn't expected to return until the summer after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his strained shoulder in the middle of March.
APRIL 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Begins season on IL Melancon was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Diamondbacks on Thursday with a right shoulder strain.
Impact The veteran reliever was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in mid-March in hopes of speeding along the recovery process. However, his absence could be a matter of months, not weeks.
MARCH 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Will begin season on IL Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Impact The news keeps getting worse regarding Melancon's shoulder. He will receive a PRP injection Thursday and is expected to miss the first few months of the season. Expect Andrew Chafin and Kevin Ginkel to pick up an increased share of save opportunities while Melancon is out.
MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Melancon (shoulder) likely to start season on IL SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- D-backs right-hander Mark Melancon has a shoulder issue and is likely to start the season on the injured list. General...
MARCH 16, 2023 • MLB.COM
Dealing with shoulder issues Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Melancon has a shoulder issue and will likely miss the beginning of the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Impact Manager Torey Lovullo previously said the veteran reliever was battling arm fatigue and emphasized that Melancon was fine. Now that it seems like Melancon will be sidelined for the start of the season, the door opens for other relievers like Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin to pick up some saves early in the year.
MARCH 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Experiencing fatigue Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Melancon has not pitched since last Friday because he's "battling some fatigue," Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.
Impact The manager stressed that Melancon is fine, but that he's "backing off" certain players when the need arises. Melancon's had a rough spring and should not be considered the Diamondbacks' sole closer.
MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Makes first scoreless appearance Melancon allowed one hit and walked one while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.
Impact Melancon authored his first scoreless appearance over three Cactus League outings. The reliever's 16.88 ERA this spring has manager Torey Lovullo exploring several options to close games in 2023.
MARCH 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Struggles again Melancon allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning in Monday's spring game against Kansas City.
Impact That makes two disappointing -- maybe alarming -- Cactus League outings by Melancon, who's given up five runs on nine hits over two innings this spring. While he was not named the sole closer, Melancon is expected to be part of the crew that closes out games, but not if results like this are the norm. Those speculating on Arizona saves may want to keep the names Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply handy. Of the group, Mantiply has the most success so far this spring.
MARCH 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Roughed up in first outing Melancon allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two over one inning in Friday's spring game against Seattle.
Impact Melancon made his spring debut in the fourth inning and was immediately tagged for a single and a home run. After a strikeout, the next four hitters reached base before he finished out the inning. Melancon operated as the team's closer to start 2022 before losing the job then reclaiming it again late. He'll be part of the late-game mix in 2023, although manager Torey Lovullo has said the closer role will be fluid.
MARCH 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
'That's where I belong': Melancon vying to regain closer role SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Fresh off an offseason that saw him retool his mechanics, right-hander Mark Melancon is determined to once again be the...
FEBRUARY 17, 2023 • MLB.COM
Among many possible closers Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks' closer role will "be fluid," which means Melancon is not a lock to finish games, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "I haven't y...
Impact Melancon opened the 2022 season as the sole closer, but his grip on the job was tenuous. He finished the year with a 3-10 record, 18 saves and three blown saves and a 4.66 ERA, including stints when he was removed from the role. Lovullo sounds open to the idea of having a fluid bullpen. Beyond Melancon, the manager could be eyeing Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply.
FEBRUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Villar single in 10th, Giants beat D-backs in home finale
Rookie David Villar hit a two-run, bases-loaded single with nobody out in the 10th inning to give the San Francisco Giants a 4-3 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks, a dramati...OCTOBER 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Earns 18th save Melancon went one inning and picked up the save against the Astros on Wednesday.
Impact Melancon's number was called in the bottom of the 10th and he proceeded to retire all three batters he faced on a total of six pitches. The 37-year-old reliever has been solid for the Diamondbacks this month to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 10 appearances. It was his first save since Aug 17.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Astros lose 5-2 to Diamondbacks as Walker gets key hit
The Houston Astros lost out on an opportunity to clinch the top seed in the AL when Christian Walker capped Arizona’s three-run 10th inning with a two-run single, sending the Diamo...SEPTEMBER 29, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Longoria's pinch-single sends Giants over Diamondbacks 3-2
Pinch-hitter Evan Longoria had a go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth inning and the San Francisco Giants went on to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 3-2SEPTEMBER 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bumgarner gets 1st win since July, D-backs beat Dodgers 6-1
Madison Bumgarner tossed six innings of one-hit ball for his first win in nearly two months and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1SEPTEMBER 22, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Gallen ties scoreless start record as Arizona stops Brewers
Zac Gallen tied the major-league record with his sixth consecutive scoreless start, leading the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-1 victory over the Milwaukee BrewersSEPTEMBER 4, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rocked in non-save situation Melancon allowed four runs on three hits and a walk without retiring a batter in Saturday's 16-7 loss to the Cardinals.
Impact St. Louis batters jumped on Melancon, who entered the top of ninth inning with Arizona down by a run, and he lasted just 12 pitches. Edwin Uceta followed and gave up a grand slam (three runs charged to Melancon) and then some. Melancon had pitched well after being removed from the closer's role until Saturday's results. The performance continues a pattern where Melancon's more effective with a save on the line (2.89 ERA) than in non-save situations (5.48 ERA).
AUGUST 21, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
Records save with perfect inning Melancon earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.
Impact Melancon came on in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead, and he was able to retire the side on just nine pitches. A wild pitch on a strikeout allowed the first batter he faced to reach base, but that was quickly wiped out by a double-play grounder. Since blowing a save Aug. 1 against Cleveland, Melancon has converted three straight save opportunities while giving up only one run over five innings. He and Ian Kennedy have alternated the past six successful saves for Arizona and appear to be locked into the top spots in a closer committee.
AUGUST 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE
