PAUL SEWALD NEWS

Cedes homer in win Sewald allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over 1.1 innings in Monday's 6-4 win over the Yankees.

Impact Sewald got the last two outs of the seventh inning before getting stung by a Jazz Chisholm two-run blast in the eighth. He's allowed three home runs and has a 6.10 ERA over 10.1 innings (12 outings). Sewald, who has experience as a closer, could garner save opportunities at some point, if the issues Emmanuel Clase (two blown saves, 7.84 ERA, 2.23 WHIP) has exhibited thus far prompts manager Stephen Vogt to remove him as the closer.

5 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Junis, Sewald provide veteran depth to Guardians' bullpen This story was excerpted from Tim Stebbins’ Guardians Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regu...

6 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Santana homers and Guardians hold on for 3-2 win over White Sox in unusual finish

Carlos Santana homered and the Cleveland Guardians held off the Chicago White Sox 3-2 in a game that ended on a bizarre play

APRIL 10 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Garcia's homer and Witt's go-ahead RBI double lead Royals past Guardians 4-3

Bobby Witt Jr. hit a go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning four batters after Maikel Garcia tied it with a homer to help lead the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardian...

MARCH 29 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Earns save in Cleveland debut Sewald earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 extra-inning win over the Royals, striking out one in a perfect 10th inning.

Impact After Kansas City tied the game off Emmanuel Clase in the bottom of the ninth, Sewald successfully preserved a three-run lead in the 10th to earn the save in his first appearance with the Guardians. Sewald, who signed a one-year deal with Cleveland in the offseason, started the 2024 season as the Diamondbacks' closer, though he struggled in the second half before eventually losing the ninth-inning job. While Sewald won't overtake Clase, it looks like the 34-year-old right-hander will be trusted with a high-leverage role.

MARCH 27 • ROTOWIRE

Manzardo shines for Cleveland in 7-4 victory over the Royals

Kyle Manzardo had a two-run double in the 10th inning to tie the club record for most RBIs on opening day and the Cleveland Guardians defeated the Kansas City Royals 7-4

MARCH 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Examining options at 2B if Gelof isn't ready for Opening Day MESA, Ariz. -- The Athletics are preparing for the possibility of an Opening Day without Zack Gelof. Removed from Wednesday’s Cactus League...

MARCH 22 • MLB.COM

Mariners offense continues hot spring in win over Guardians The Mariners banged out 11 hits in Monday's win over the Guardians with Cal Raleigh hitting the go-ahead homer off old friend Paul Sewald in...

MARCH 4 • SEATTLETIMES.COM

Right-hander Jakob Junis and Guardians finalize $4.5 million, 1-year contract

Right-hander Jakob Junis and the Cleveland Guardians have finalized their $4.5 million, one-year contract

FEBRUARY 16 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reliever Paul Sewald and Guardians agree to $7 million, 1-year contract

Reliever Paul Sewald and the Cleveland Guardians have agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract, adding a setup arm for closer Emmanuel Clase

JANUARY 22 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Signs on with Cleveland The Guardians signed Sewald to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2026 on Wednesday.

Impact There's no word yet on the financial particulars of the deal. Sewald missed some time with injury and lost his closer job with the Diamondbacks in 2024, ultimately finishing with a 4.31 ERA and 43:10 K:BB over 39.2 innings. However, from 2021 to 2023 he held a 2.95 ERA and had a 33.9 percent strikeout rate. Sewald will help set up for Emmanuel Clase in Cleveland.

JANUARY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks to part ways with pitching coach Brent Strom and 2 others after missing playoffs

The Arizona Diamondbacks are shaking up their coaching staff after falling just short of the playoffs

OCTOBER 4, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Throws to hitters Saturday Sewald (neck) threw an 18-pitch live batting practice session Saturday, MLB.com reports.

Impact Sewald followed up a 23-pitch bullpen session Tuesday with Saturday's effort at Chase Field. The reliever could be an option during the postseason, if Arizona qualifies.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Sewald (neck) played catch Friday and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session within the next few days, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Sewald has been on the shelf since Sunday due to an issue on the left side of his neck, and Friday marks the first time he's done any sort of throwing since then. It remains unclear if he'll be able to return to the Snakes' bullpen before the end of the regular season, but the team may know more once the 34-year-old is able to begin mound work.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Diamondbacks place RHP Paul Sewald (neck) on 15-day IL The Arizona Diamondbacks placed right-handed reliever Paul Sewald on the 15-day injured list on Sunday because of discomfort on the left sid...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • STAR-TELEGRAM.COM

Heads to IL with neck issue The Diamondbacks placed Sewald on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left neck discomfort.

Impact The timing of Sewald's move to the IL means that he won't be eligible to return until the Diamondbacks' final series of the regular season, which begins Sept. 27. Even before the neck issue cropped up, Sewald's fantasy value had been on the downturn with Justin Martinez having started to build up security as the Diamondbacks' preferred closing option. Sewald didn't help his case for regaining the closer's gig after giving up at least one run in four of his last six appearances before landing on the IL.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cedes two homers in loss Sewald allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Friday's 10-9 loss to the Dodgers.

Impact The Diamondbacks didn't have all bullpen arms available -- Ryan Thompson and Justin Martinez worked the previous two days -- and manager Torey Lovullo wanted to save Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk if Arizona took a lead, the manager told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. As such, the manager went with Sewald in a high-leverage situation, two on and one out in the seventh inning. He retired the first batter he faced before giving up a three-run home run to Will Smith. An inning later, Shohei Ohtani took him deep. That second blast turned out to be the difference make, as Arizona go within one with a four-run ninth inning. It was the third consecutive outing that Sewald has allowed runs.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Manager wants him closing Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Sewald back to being a closer, Arizona Sports reports.

Impact Lovullo was asked about the Diamondbacks' current closing situation, and he's pleased with what Justin Martinez has been able to do, but added he wants "to get Sewald back into that role." At the same time, the manager acknowledged that while Sewald is "trending in a very positive direction," Lovullo is not ready to throw him back into closing. Sewald, who had thrown six scoreless innings following his demotion, has allowed three runs and five hits over his last two innings, both were non-save situations in the ninth inning. That includes Saturday, when Sewald allowed a run that made it a 4-1 game, and Lovullo had Martinez get up just in case.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Continues scoreless stretch Sewald allowed one hit and struck out three over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 6-1 loss to the Rays.

Impact Sewald has excelled since being replaced as the Diamondbacks' closer. Since then, he has yet to allow a run in six appearances, striking out eight over six innings. Arizona manager Torey Lovullo talked about Sewald having delivery issues at the time of his demotion; if the right-hander solved those issues, he could get save opportunities down the stretch. Sewald remains the most experienced closer in the bullpen.

AUGUST 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

First appearance in new role Sewald walked one and struck out one over a scoreless inning in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Pittsburgh.

Impact Sewald made his first appearance since manager Torey Lovullo removed him from the closer's role. He did a better job of finding the strike zone -- eight of 15 pitches for strikes -- after throwing just nine strikes over 24 offerings Wednesday. It was that appearance which triggered the decision to strip him of the title as Arizona's closer. As Lovullo explained it, Sewald had a mechanical issue that impacted his ability to throw strikes.

AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Who's next up for D-backs after Sewald removed as closer? This story was excerpted from Steve Gilbert’s D-backs Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regu...

AUGUST 3, 2024 • MLB.COM

Diamondbacks updates: Torey Lovullo says struggling Paul Sewald is out as closer The Diamondbacks and Pirates open a three-game series on Friday night at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

AUGUST 2, 2024 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Demoted from closer role Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he is removing Sewald from the closer role, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact The veteran right-hander allowed two runs on three walks in one-third of an inning Wednesday versus Washington, which capped an ugly July that saw him blow four saves and give up 12 earned runs across 10 innings. Sewald appeared to have turned things around with five straight scoreless appearances after an awful start to the month, but he finished with five runs allowed in his last four outings. Lovullo didn't say who will replace Sewald as Arizona's closer, but A.J. Puk and Kevin Ginkel are the likeliest candidates and could even form a matchup-based committee.

AUGUST 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Problems with delivery Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Sewald is having issues with his delivery, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. ""There's something that's going on with his delivery," Lovullo said...

Impact Lovullo made those comments moments after Wednesday's win in which Sewald, tasked with closing out a two-run lead, allowed a run on three walks and a hit before being removed for Ryan Thompson, who picked up his first save of the season. The manager plans to take time to review the situation and feels there are "really good candidates" in house to replace Sewald as the closer, if that's what Lovullo decides. The names under consideration are likely Thompson, Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk.

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Could be on shaky ground as closer Sewald earned a hold against the Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two runs on one hit and three walks over one-third of an inning.

Impact Sewald was brought in for a save opportunity with Arizona up three runs in the ninth inning but couldn't find the control to close things out. He threw just nine of 24 pitches for strikes and issued three free passes along with a double before being pulled having recorded just one out. Sewald was credited with a hold after Ryan Thompson entered and finished off the frame, but that speaks more to the flawed nature of the hold stat than to the reliever's effectiveness. Sewald had a rough July, blowing his first three and his final two save opportunities during the month. He did rack up five straight successful saves in between, but the veteran closer nonetheless finished July with an ugly 10.80 ERA across 10 frames. Per Jack Sommers of SI.com, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo attributed Sewald's issues to "something that's going on with his delivery" but didn't tip his hand about whether there'd be a change to the team's closer role. "I know everybody wants to know, what's the closer situation. Are you going to dump him out of the closer role. That's not my priority with Paul right now. My priority is to find out if he is getting blocked by some sort of a delivery problem. That's our job, that's my job. Then I'll take the next necessary steps from there," Lovullo stated.

AUGUST 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE