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

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk earned his fourth save of the campaign on Thursday afternoon during their 6-4 victory over the Miami Marlins. The southpaw entered the contest in the final frame. Puk allowed a leadoff double to designated hitter Griffin Conine. However, he would then retire the next three batters he saw to shut the door. He would tally one punchout. Throughout the early part of the campaign, the Diamondbacks have provided both Puk and right-hander Justin Martinez with save opportunities. However, Puk appears to be the slight leader in the committee as he has earned four of the six saves. Across eight innings of work, Puk has struck out 12 batters and held a 3.38 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP. He remains a solid option in all standard formats as he should continue to see ample save opportunities on a competing Diamondbacks team.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk closed out his team's 5-2 win on Sunday to earn his third save of the season. He has pitched six innings in six games this season and has three saves and two holds. He had a three-run lead when he entered on Sunday and struck out the side, although he did let the tying run come to the play after hitting Joey Ortiz with a pitch and walking pinch hitter Isaiah Collins. He buckled down and struck out the top two hitters in the Brewers' lineup, though, fanning Brice Turang and then getting Jackson Chourio swinging at a high fastball to end the game. Puk and Justin Martinez continue to share closing duties for the Dbacks and are in a platoon in the eighth and ninth innings, based on the matchup. Both have been effective this season, and the situation allows them to each produce both holds and saves.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk had a wild ride in the ninth inning against the Yankees on Wednesday night, but he managed to close out the team's second straight win in the Bronx. Puk entered the ninth inning with nobody out after Ryan Thompson allowed singles to Cody Bellinger and Aaron Judge. Puk got Jazz Chisholm Jr. to fly out to RF but then allowed the inherited runners to score on a three-run blast off the bat of Anthony Volpe. The home run made the score 4-3 but Puk was able to retire Austin Wells and strike out Jasson Dominguez to secure the win and earn his second save. He is the only member of the Diamondbacks bullpen with a save this season and seems to be in the primary closer role ahead of Justin Martinez at least for now.

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher A.J. Puk converted the team's first save opportunity of the season in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Yankees. Puk came in to pitch the bottom of the ninth inning up by three. He got the first two outs on strikeouts, allowed a solo home run, and got the final out on a line-out. The 29-year-old came into the season jockeying for save opportunities with Justin Martinez, who struck out the side in the eighth inning of the game. Both players offer plenty of strikeout upside, although Martinez did spend some time last season as the team's closer and recently signed a five-year, $18 million extension. The Diamondbacks should see plenty of save opportunities this season, so until one player grasps the closer's role, both are worth rostering in at least all roto leagues at this time.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, left-handed relief pitcher A.J. Puk and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year, $2.95 million contract to avoid salary arbitration. Puk began the 2024 campaign in the Miami Marlins rotation but struggled as he posted a 9.22 ERA and a 2.63 WHIP across four starts. He was then placed on the injured list with a shoulder injury and was moved back to the bullpen when he returned. Puk returned to form in the bullpen and was eventually shipped to Arizona to help them down the stretch. Across 57 2/3 innings of relief, the southpaw posted a stellar 1.72 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He struck out batters at a strong 29.9% rate and generated an impressive 2.72 xERA and a .197 xBA, which were both within the 90th percentile among qualified pitchers. Fantasy managers should expect Puk to compete for save opportunities with Justin Martinez in the Arizona bullpen in 2025.