- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,267,490
- Reaction score
- 59
The Arizona Diamondbacks made bit a bullet on reliever Paul Sewald.
The right-hander, who pitched his way out of the closer’s job in July, hasn’t fared much better in a low-leverage relief role.
On Aug. 1, Sewald faced five batters and allowed five hits without record an out. All five scored. In his previous outing, four days earlier, Sewald retired one of the four Pittsburgh Pirates batters he faced.
MORE: Former American League batting champion, 33, announces retirement
Back-to-back scoreless outings on Aug. 4-5 could not save his job. Sewald had not pitched since then when he was designated for assignment by Arizona.
Sewald, 36, was a veteran of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ surprising run to the 2023 World Series. He had 24 saves this season prior to his demotion from the ninth inning.
MORE: Former Red Sox All-Star, 36, announces retirement from MLB
The right-hander has 110 career saves in 426 career games with the New York Mets (2017-20), Seattle Mariners (2021-23), Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians (2025) and Detroit Tigers (2025).
But the five-run implosion against the Cleveland Guardians last week pushed Sewald’s ERA for the season above 6.
If he signs with a new team before the end of the month, he is eligible to be on their postseason roster.
MORE: Yankees share sad Tommy John news on Old Timers Day
This isn’t the first time Sewald has fallen out of favor in Phoenix.
In July 2024, Sewald blew his fourth save of the season just before the trade deadline. He shifted to a lower-leverage relief role in August and didn’t record a save over the final two months. Arizona won 89 games and missed the playoffs.
This time, the Diamondbacks aren’t willing to wait and see how it ends.
Arizona is 63-56 through the end of the week, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second and final National League Wild Card berth.
The team has yet to officially announce the roster move, or who will take Sewald’s spot in the bullpen.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
The right-hander, who pitched his way out of the closer’s job in July, hasn’t fared much better in a low-leverage relief role.
On Aug. 1, Sewald faced five batters and allowed five hits without record an out. All five scored. In his previous outing, four days earlier, Sewald retired one of the four Pittsburgh Pirates batters he faced.
MORE: Former American League batting champion, 33, announces retirement
Back-to-back scoreless outings on Aug. 4-5 could not save his job. Sewald had not pitched since then when he was designated for assignment by Arizona.
Sewald, 36, was a veteran of the Arizona Diamondbacks’ surprising run to the 2023 World Series. He had 24 saves this season prior to his demotion from the ninth inning.
MORE: Former Red Sox All-Star, 36, announces retirement from MLB
The right-hander has 110 career saves in 426 career games with the New York Mets (2017-20), Seattle Mariners (2021-23), Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians (2025) and Detroit Tigers (2025).
But the five-run implosion against the Cleveland Guardians last week pushed Sewald’s ERA for the season above 6.
If he signs with a new team before the end of the month, he is eligible to be on their postseason roster.
MORE: Yankees share sad Tommy John news on Old Timers Day
This isn’t the first time Sewald has fallen out of favor in Phoenix.
In July 2024, Sewald blew his fourth save of the season just before the trade deadline. He shifted to a lower-leverage relief role in August and didn’t record a save over the final two months. Arizona won 89 games and missed the playoffs.
This time, the Diamondbacks aren’t willing to wait and see how it ends.
Arizona is 63-56 through the end of the week, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the second and final National League Wild Card berth.
The team has yet to officially announce the roster move, or who will take Sewald’s spot in the bullpen.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories with The Big Lead Newsletter —
Continue reading...
