The Arizona Diamondbacks don’t know who their closer will be for the stretch run of an air-tight NL wild-card race. But it won’t be Paul Sewald.
The Cardinals designated Sewald for assignment Monday, ending the veteran closer’s second stint with the franchise at a critical juncture of the playoff race.
The transaction removes Sewald from the 40-man roster. Arizona now has seven days to either trade Sewald, release him, send him to the minors or place him on waivers. His time with the big-league club is done.
‘Brutal decision’
Manager Torey Lovullo spoke about the decision with reporters Monday evening.
“It was a brutal decision, Lovullo said. “He’s meant so much to this organization. He’s closed out 24 games. He solidified things for our ’23 run. He had a number of saves in ’24, where he got banged up.
“You learn to appreciate the human being at a certain point. He’s just such a great competitor who was having so much success. On top of that, he’s a friend of all of us.”
Sewald, 36, re-joined the Diamondbacks in the offseason on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. He previously joined the franchise via a trade-deadline deal with the Seattle Mariners in 2023 and remained Arizona’s closer when healthy through the 2024 season. He recorded six postseason saves during Arizona’s run to the 2023 World Series.
This season has been the worst of Sewald’s career. He’s recorded 24 saves. But he has a career-worst 6.23 ERA alongside a 1.103 WHIP in 39 innings. He’s surrendered a career-high 2.8 home runs per nine innings and is on the hook for five Diamondbacks losses.
Diamondbacks scramble at closer amid tight NL race
The decision leaves the Diamondbacks in a tough spot during a competitive playoff race. Arizona entered Monday’s game against the Rockies at 63-56, tied with the Philadelphia Phillies for the final two NL wild-card spots.
The Padres stood a game behind them in the standings, and the Marlins, Cardinals and Nationals were all within 4.5 games.
With margins so thin, the Diamondbacks decided that Sewald’s performance wasn’t good enough to remain with the club. Relievers Brandyn Garcia, Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loáisiga and Kevin Ginkel could handle the closer’s role as a committee moving forward.
The move made room on the roster for newly signed veteran pitcher Zack Littell. Littell cleared waivers after being DFA’d by the Washington Nationals last week. A nine-season veteran, Littell has worked as a starter and reliever. He posted a 4.97 ERA as as a starter in Washington this season, but expects to start his time in Arizona as a low-leverage reliever.
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