A.J. Puk DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

The Arizona Diamondbacks transferred left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list on Thursday, according to the team. Puk is on the shelf with a left-elbow flexor strain, although he won't need to go under the knife. Still, the 30-year-old southpaw is facing an extended absence, and Arizona's bullpen could be in trouble with right-hander Justin Martinez (shoulder) landing on the IL on Thursday. Fantasy managers may want to expect a closer-by-committee setup in the desert now with sav options including Ryan Thompson (he picked up the save on Wednesday, Shelby Miller and Kevin Ginkel. Puk will surely be in the mix for save chances again when he's fully healthy, but that might not be until sometime in June. He had a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, four saves and 12 strikeouts in eight innings before his injury.

Arizona Diamondbacks left-handed reliever A.J. Puk (elbow) will not require surgery for his left-elbow flexor strain, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert. Puk will not throw for the next two to three weeks and will resume throwing once he's asymptomatic. It's ultimately good news for the 30-year-old southpaw, but fantasy managers stashing him will still need to remain patient and should expect a lengthy absence. Before his injury, the former sixth overall pick of the Athletics in 2016 out of the University of Florida had a 3.38 ERA (4.45 FIP), a 1.25 WHIP, four saves, 12 strikeouts and two walks in eight innings pitched for the Snakes. When he returns, Puk will re-enter the mix for saves in Arizona alongside Justin Martinez. In the meantime, Martinez will function as the team's primary closer, which means he should be rostered in all fantasy formats.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk (elbow) will likely miss multiple months in a best-case scenario, reports Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. There is no official word yet on a timetable from the Diamondbacks, but Puk is currently awaiting word from two orthopedic doctors on the severity of his elbow injury. Seeking multiple opinions on an elbow injury is never a good sign, and Arizona's bullpen will likely be without Puk for a while. For fantasy purposes, this makes Justin Martinez a full-time closer who should be rostered in most leagues.