D-Backs Remove Paul Sewald From Closer Role

The Diamondbacks are moving to a closer by committee approach for the time being, manager Torey Lovullo told reporters (link via Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports). Paul Sewald, who has all but four of the team’s 28 saves, will move to lower-leverage spots.

Sewald is 24-27 in save chances, which isn’t a bad conversion rate. They’ve rarely been convincing saves, though, especially lately. Sewald has a 5.26 earned run average on the season, including a 7.16 mark in 18 appearances going back to June 1. That includes runs in four or his past five outings and eight of his last thirteen. He’s tied with the A’s Justin Sterner for the MLB lead among relievers with 11 home runs allowed.

The change comes after Arizona’s bullpen nearly melted down last night in Pittsburgh. Brandon Pfaadt fired seven scoreless innings and left the game holding a 6-0 lead. Ryan Thompson coughed up three runs in the eighth. That made the ninth a save situation for Sewald, albeit a relatively easy one with a clean inning and a three-run lead. The veteran righty surrendered a leadoff double followed by back-to-back home runs from Brandon Lowe and Bryan Reynolds to tie the game. He recorded one out before being lifted for Juan Morillo.

Morillo escaped the inning, and the D-Backs would go on to win the game 8-7 in the 12th. That kept things from getting too sour but evidently convinced Lovullo a change in the ninth was necessary. It also forced the D-Backs to use an extra three relievers. Eduardo Rodriguez bailed out the bullpen by working eight scoreless in this afternoon’s series finale. Rookie southpaw Brandyn Garcia got the ninth with a 3-0 lead and worked around a walk to record his second career save.

Garcia is having an excellent year, pitching to a 2.17 ERA with a 32% strikeout rate over 29 innings. He’s their only healthy left-hander, though, so they’re not going to lock him into the ninth. Morillo and Jonathan Loáisiga are the other pitchers who have recorded a save this season. They could each get opportunities, as might right-hander Kevin Ginkel.

Arizona’s bullpen has held its own despite Sewald’s struggles and generally less than imposing personnel. They’re middle of the pack in ERA and blown saves. They’re just 23rd in strikeout rate but have a top 10 ground-ball percentage and have otherwise done a strong job keeping the ball in park. It’s a serviceable enough performance for what is on paper the weakest area of the roster.

They’ve stayed afloat to keep the D-Backs in possession of a Wild Card spot as the trade deadline approaches. They should get a key internal boost in a few weeks, as Justin Martinez is throwing and remains on track for a late-season return from last June’s elbow surgery. Martinez might eventually solidify the ninth inning, so the D-Backs don’t necessarily need to trade for a proven closer. They probably should add a second lefty alongside Garcia, as A.J. Puk is a question mark after sustaining a shoulder capsule sprain last month.

The D-Backs also have holes at first base, in the outfield and at the back of the rotation. They’ll probably look for a lower-cost bullpen pickup. As shown on MLBTR’s Payroll Tracker, the Snakes have a luxury tax number around $232.72MM — a little over $11MM below the $244MM base threshold.

John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM suggested this afternoon they’re not likely to go into CBT territory. A trade pickup’s salary would be prorated for the approximate 30% of the remaining schedule, so the D-Backs would have some leeway for a few mid-level acquisitions if they’re willing to go up to the tax line. Brennan Bernardino, Sam Moll and Brooks Raley are among the relatively affordable left-handed bullpen arms who should be available.