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 playoffsOCTOBER 4 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
PAUL SEWALD #38 - PITCHER - ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
1-2 W-L •
1.13 WHIP •
4.31 ERA
1-2 W-L
1.13 WHIP
4.31 ERA
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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • ROTOWIRE
Zac Gallen wins third straight start, Diamondbacks beat Nationals 5-4 for 3-game sweep
Zac Gallen won his third straight start, Ryan Thompson got out of a one-out, bases-loaded jam in the ninth inning, and the Arizona Diamondbacks earned a three-game sweep by beating...JULY 31 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald discusses his performance against the Pirates Diamondbacks closer Paul Sewald blew a 1-run lead on Sunday, his fourth blown save of July. The Diamondbacks lost, 6-5, to the Pirates in 10...
JULY 29 • AZCENTRAL.COM
Blows save Sunday Sewald was charged with a blown save in Sunday's extra-innings loss to the Pirates after he allowed a run on two hits in the ninth. He did strike out three.
Impact Sewald was called upon for the ninth to protect a one-run lead and was unable to do so. Rowdy Tellez kicked things off with a leadoff double, but Sewald was able to rally with back-to-back strikeouts before Joey Bart laced a two-out double to tie the game up and eventually send the game into extras. It was the second time over his last three appearances Sewald's given up a run and he had converted five straight saves before blowing Sunday's opportunity. The 34-year-old owns a 3.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 28:4 K:BB in 26.1 innings. He's still got a grip on the closer's role, but the Diamondbacks did bring in A.J. Puk to bolster the back end of the bullpen, and he's someone that could supplant Sewald as the team's closer if Sewald were to keep struggling.
JULY 29 • ROTOWIRE
Pirates rally with tying run in 9th inning, 4 in 10th to beat Diamondbacks 6-5
Ji Hwan Bae scored the go-ahead run on a wild pitch in Pittsburgh's four-run 10th inning, Joey Bart hit a tying run-scoring double in the ninth and the Pirates rallied to beat the...JULY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Garrett Crochet among the coveted players ahead of MLB's trade deadline
Major League Baseball's trade deadline is on Tuesday and the deals have already startedJULY 28 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Converts 16th save Sewald allowed a hit and struck out two in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Friday's 4-3 win over the Pirates.
Impact Sewald allowed two runs in a non-save situation Wednesday versus the Royals, but he bounced back Friday to protect a one-run lead. This was his sixth scoreless outing in July, but his other four appearances this month each saw him yield multiple runs. The closer is up to 16-for-19 in save chances with a 3.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 25:4 K:BB through 25.1 innings this season.
JULY 27 • ROTOWIRE
Unavailable for save opportunity Sewald was unavailable to pitch in Sunday's 2-1 extra-inning loss to the Cubs.
Impact The Diamondbacks carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning Sunday, but Sewald had been used the previous two games (33 pitches). The bullpen was severely shorthanded after manager Torey Lovullo used the same four relievers Friday and Saturday to win the first two games of the series. Justin Martinez, who pitched on two consecutive days (25 pitches), was unable to convert the save.
JULY 22 • ROTOWIRE
Collects 15th save Sewald allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.
Impact Sewald hasn't allowed a run in his last five innings after opening July with three shaky appearances, all of which ended in blown saves. It appears he's gotten his troubles under control, and he's now 15-for-18 in save chances this season. Sewald has added a strong 3.09 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 23:4 K:BB through 23.1 innings.
JULY 21 • ROTOWIRE
Carroll, Thomas homers lead Diamondbacks to 3-0 win over Cubs
Corbin Carroll hit a two-run homer and Alek Thomas had a solo shot in Arizona’s three-run fifth inning to help the Diamondbacks beat the Chicago Cubs 3-0 for their sixth win in sev...JULY 21 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Locks down 14th save Sewald earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cubs, allowing two hits while striking out two in the ninth inning.
Impact The Cubs got the tying run to the plate after Sewald gave up back-to-back one-out singles. However, he'd rebound to strike out Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, closing out the Diamondback's victory for his 14th save of the year. After blowing three straight save opportunities earlier this month, Sewald's now delivered four consecutive scoreless innings while converting his last three save chances. The 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.22 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.
JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE
Locks down 14th save Sewald earned the save in Friday's 5-2 win over the Cubs, allowing two hits while striking out a pair in the ninth inning.
Impact The Cubs got the tying run to the plate after Sewald gave up back-to-back one-out singles. However, he'd rebound to strike out Michael Busch and Seiya Suzuki, closing out the Diamondback's victory for his 14th save of the year. After blowing three straight save opportunities earlier this month, Sewald's now delivered four consecutive scoreless innings while converting his last three save chances. The 34-year-old right-hander sports a 3.22 ERA with a 0.85 WHIP and 22:4 K:BB across 22.1 innings this season.
JULY 19 • ROTOWIRE
