Andrew Saalfrank Has Solidified His Role

Andrew Saalfrank has solidified his role in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2025 bullpen. He has emerged as the key left-handed setup man after rejoining the team in July. His return has added depth to the team’s injury-plagued and horrendous bullpen.

Andrew Saalfrank Has Solidified His Role

Lost 2024 Season

Saalfrank was part of the team’s magical 2023 World Series team and was expected to be counted on in 2024. However, he was suspended for a year for betting on baseball games dating back to 2021 and 2022 and missed the 2024 season. At the time the bets were placed, he was working his way back from Tommy John surgery.

Reinstatement

MLB officially reinstated Saalfrank from his suspension on June 5, 2025. At first, he was assigned to the Arizona Complex League to get back into action after the layoff. After a brief time in ACL, he was promoted to the Triple-A Reno Aces.

Re-established Himself

Saalfrank continued to throw and work out during his time away. He also used the time to refine his pitching performance. Since his return, Saalfrank has re-established himself with his command of the strike zone. While he does not get many strikeouts, he’s been able to make the pitch that gets the ground ball or easy flyout (s). Additionally, his four-seam fastball has improved in quality, and his control of his sinker and curveball has become more effective.

Consistent Spot

Andrew Saalfrank has solidified his role and earned a consistent spot in the bullpen’s backend. There are bullpen arms out with injuries. Others are suffering from pitching inconsistencies. Meanwhile, Saalfrank has been reliable. He has earned a reputation for being counted on at any time during the game.

Disastrous Bullpen

The Diamondbacks’ bullpen has been disastrous once again. They have used 34 different relief pitchers and set a major league record on August 23, when Jake Woodford became the 15th pitcher on the team to record a save. However, through all that, Saalfrank has been a consistent and steady pitcher in the two-plus months he has been with the team.

Impressive Statistics

Since his return, Saalfrank has a 1.38 ERA in 25 games. He has faced 102 batters, and they are hitting only .196 against him. He has 18 strikeouts over 26 innings pitched and has been valuable with the ground ball outs. Not considered a closer when drafted, he has been pressed into the role and has responded well. He has recorded three saves and is being used in high-leverage situations by manager Torey Lovullo.

Impact on the Team

Saalfrank has been a key contributor to the Diamondbacks’ bullpen in the late stages of the 2025 season. His development and improvement have provided the team with another reliable, high-leverage left-hander to call on. Once again, the team is considering the need to rebuild the bullpen for next season. With the way Saalfrank is performing, he will undoubtedly be part of the 2026 team.