Who's next up for D-backs after Sewald removed as closer?

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PITTSBURGH -- D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said before Friday night’s series-opening 9-8 win over the Pirates that he was going to remove Paul Sewald from the closer’s role for now while the veteran works on some delivery issues.

Sewald, who opened the season on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain, converted his first 11 save opportunities upon his May 7 debut -- picking up right where he left off in 2023 (3.12 ERA, 34 saves). July, though, was a struggle for him, as he blew four of his nine save chances.

Wednesday wasn’t a blown save, but Sewald recorded just one out while issuing three walks and an RBI double. He was replaced by Ryan Thompson, who entered with one run in and the bases loaded.

Thompson allowed another run to score, on a passed ball by catcher Jose Herrera, but he got Riley Adams to ground out to end the game, a 5-4 D-backs win.

Afterwards, Lovullo said he had a lot of thinking to do, and by Friday he had made up his mind. He had a meeting with Sewald to let him know his decision. It’s possible that if Sewald pitches well in his new role, he could find himself back closing.

“He's gonna tell us when it's the time, and if it doesn't happen, it doesn't happen,” Lovullo said. “I have to make some tough decisions. It wasn't a very popular decision. I spent a lot of time on this over the past 36 hours, and I've had a lot of tough conversations with people around me. But I have to do what's best for the team. And right now, this is where it's at. I think he will be back on the mound as the closer, but we’ve got some time before we [get] there.”

The answer to the natural follow-up question of who would be Arizona's new closer was one that Lovullo did not reveal.

“Who the replacement is, I don't know,” he said. “We're gonna match it up the best way I can. We got some really good, hot, live arms down there. And I just want to make sure that we do all we can to win the game and all match up the best way possible.”

Lovullo said all this before Friday night’s game, and it became a little clearer as the game went on how he might utilize his relievers.

In addition to Sewald, the D-backs have used Kevin Ginkel, Justin Martinez, Thompson and the newly-acquired A.J. Puk in leverage situations.

Puk probably is not going to get the majority of the save chances because he is valuable in matchups against left-handed hitters. They have a .559 OPS against Puk this season.

Ginkel was used in the sixth inning on Friday night. He was charged with three runs on one hit, one walk and a hit by pitch while recording two outs. Puk replaced him and was charged with one run on three hits, all singles.

Martinez pitched a scoreless eighth and Thompson got the save in the ninth, so it certainly seems like Thompson will get the first crack at the closer role. But we’ll see how this plays out.