Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Heads to IL with neck issue
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks placed Sewald on the 15-day injured list Sunday with left neck discomfort.
The timing of Sewald's move to the IL means that he won't be eligible to return until the Diamondbacks' final series of the regular season, which begins Sept. 27. Even before the neck issue cropped up, Sewald's fantasy value had been on the downturn with Justin Martinez having started to build up security as the Diamondbacks' preferred closing option. Sewald didn't help his case for regaining the closer's gig after giving up at least one run in four of his last six appearances before landing on the IL.
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Cedes two homers in loss
Rotowire
Sewald allowed two runs on two hits while striking out one over 1.2 innings in Friday's 10-9 loss to the Dodgers.
The Diamondbacks didn't have all bullpen arms available -- Ryan Thompson and Justin Martinez worked the previous two days -- and manager Torey Lovullo wanted to save Kevin Ginkel and A.J. Puk in case Arizona took a lead, the manager told Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports. As such, Lovullo went with Sewald in a high-leverage situation -- two on and one out in the seventh inning. Sewald retired the first batter faced before giving up a three-run home run to Will Smith. An inning later, Shohei Ohtani took Sewald deep. That second blast turned out to be the difference maker, as Arizona got within one with a four-run ninth inning. Sewald has now allowed five earned runs in his last three appearances.
Diamondbacks' Paul Sewald: Manager wants him closing
Rotowire
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that he wants to get Sewald back to being a closer, Arizona Sports reports.
Lovullo was asked about the Diamondbacks' current closing situation, and he's pleased with what Justin Martinez has been able to do, but added he wants "to get Sewald back into that role." At the same time, the manager acknowledged that while Sewald is "trending in a very positive direction," Lovullo is not ready to throw him back into closing. Sewald, who had thrown six scoreless innings following his demotion, has allowed three runs and five hits over his last two innings, both of which were non-save situations in the ninth inning. That includes Saturday, when Sewald allowed a run that reduced the Diamondbacks' lead to 4-1, and Lovullo had Martinez get up just in case.
