Diamondbacks Fans Prefer Sewald Over Puk for Closer Role

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - On June 1, 2026, Paul Sewald #38 took the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks, delivering a solid performance in the ninth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers, leading his team to a 4-1 victory at Chase Field. As the season progresses, the dynamics of the Diamondbacks' bullpen are under scrutiny, especially with the potential return of A.J. Puk, who has been out since April 17 of last year due to injury.

Puk has been on a rehabilitation assignment in the minors, making five appearances since May 23. However, his return has been complicated by recent reports from Nick Piecoro regarding shoulder discomfort, prompting the need for an MRI. This has led to speculation that his comeback could be delayed for several weeks. Fans were recently asked whether Puk should replace Sewald as the team's closer once he is healthy.

The response from fans was overwhelmingly in favor of Sewald maintaining his position. The right-hander has been remarkably effective, converting 15 out of 16 save opportunities and holding a 2.30 ERA in those situations. Despite some struggles in non-save appearances, where he has a 5.87 ERA and four losses, his performance as a closer has earned him significant trust among fans and analysts alike.

However, some concerns linger regarding Sewald's long-term effectiveness. His overall ERA ranks him in the middle tier among relievers, and advanced metrics suggest he may be overachieving this season. His batting average on balls in play (BABIP) stands at an impressive .148, significantly below the league average, which raises questions about sustainability. Yet, Sewald has excelled at limiting hard contact, particularly against right-handed hitters, and has proven to be a bargain at a salary of just $1.5 million for the year.

Given the struggles of many higher-priced closers across the league, it appears that Sewald will continue to hold his position for the foreseeable future, especially with fans rallying behind him.