A second Diamondbacks pitcher suffers setback in rehab

According to Arizona Central’s Nick Piecoro, D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo revealed that left-handed reliever A.J. Puk needed to pause his rehab due to left shoulder discomfort and will need an MRI. There is currently no timetable for his return, but Lovullo told Arizona Sports that he will be pulled back for weeks, not days.

The situation adds another blow to the Arizona pitching staff, where just days earlier Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes had also been pulled back from his rehab after suffering a strain to the teres major muscle. Now, with Puk also being taken out of his rehab assignment, it adds more pressure to how the D-backs navigate their growing list of pitching injuries.

The setback is particularly impactful given the role Puk was expected to fill upon his return.

Puk has been a left-batter specialist for the Snakes since he was acquired at the 2024 trade deadline from the Miami Marlins. Used in high-leverage situations and oftentimes as a setup man in the eighth inning, the southpaw has posted a 1.78 ERA in his time with the Diamondbacks while recording a 39.9% strikeout rate.

However, Puk had to undergo elbow surgery (an internal brace procedure) last June and missed the rest of the 2025 season. Now, it seems he’ll be out for much longer.

It also creates more questions for Arizona regarding how they want to reshape their bullpen, as Puk has been one of the very few options the club has at its disposal to deal with left-handed hitters. It also puts more stress on possibly acquiring another reliever at the trade deadline, but with how things have shaken out over the last few weeks, Arizona may not be buyers at the deadline.

With both Burnes and Puk facing new setbacks in their recovery processes, Arizona’s pitching depth is being tested at a critical point in the season. How the Diamondbacks respond in the coming weeks could play a major role in determining whether they remain in the postseason conversation or shift their focus toward the future.