Paul Sewald Injury Update: Diamondbacks Closer Begins Season on IL Due to Oblique Strain

Oh boy, the Arizona Diamondbacks are in a bit of a pickle, aren’t they? Just before the season kicks off this Thursday, they’ve hit a snag. Their closer, Paul Sewald, is on the shelf with a Grade 2 oblique strain. Yep, you heard it right. The team’s manager, Torey Lovullo, spilled the beans on Monday. If you’re curious, you can catch the deets on the

Sewald, who’s 33, found his way to Arizona from the Seattle Mariners right at the trade deadline last season. And boy, did he make a splash. Before he showed up, the D-backs were kinda playing musical chairs with their closers. But then, Sewald stepped in, and bam! Stability. Alongside Kevin Ginkel and Ryan Thompson, this trio became the backbone of the bullpen. They were so good, they even helped the team make a run to the World Series.

In his 2023 stint with both the Mariners and D-backs, Sewald clocked in a 3.12 ERA. He also racked up 80 strikeouts in just over 60 innings. Over the past three seasons, his ERA stands at an impressive 2.95, with 256 strikeouts in 189 1/3 innings. Not too shabby, right? The Mariners initially signed him to a minor league contract back in January 2021. Little did they know, they had a gem on their hands.

Before Sewald joined the team, Lovullo and the D-backs were kinda winging it with their closer situation. Now, with Sewald out for a few weeks, things are getting shuffled again. Post-Rodriguez injury, Lovullo hinted they’d need a solid long reliever since they’re down an innings-eater. Enter Jarvis and Frías, ready to step up. With Sewald sidelined, Ginkel and Thompson will take over the late innings. But that leaves a gap in the seventh. Who’s gonna step up?

Last year, the D-backs had a decent run. They finished the season 84-78, snagging a wild-card spot. They even clinched the second pennant in their history. But alas, the World Series dream was cut short by the Texas Rangers, who took them down in five games.