Paul Sewald is no longer the Diamondbacks’ closer. Torey Lovullo stripped him of the ninth-inning job on July 29 and sent Brandyn Garcia out for the first save chance after the switch.
That is why Sewald’s name is being searched now: a bullpen role that had been his has already moved to someone else, and the next save may go to another pitcher entirely. Garcia made the first test a clean one on Wednesday afternoon, striking out two and walking one in a scoreless ninth inning during the Diamondbacks’ 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
The move came after Sewald blew a three-run lead against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. He had still converted 24 of 27 save chances this season, a number that normally buys more leash than this, and he had even opened the year by converting 18 of his first 19 opportunities. But the last six weeks changed the shape of the decision. In 11 1/3 innings since mid-June, he allowed 13 earned runs and seven homers, and the late-inning trust that carried him through the first half had gone thin.
Lovullo said the ninth inning would be handled by matchups for the time being, which is a manager’s way of saying there is no fixed answer yet. Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kevin Ginkel were named as candidates to get saves, and Justin Martinez could be back from the injured list in early August. Even then, Martinez would likely need several outings to show he is ready before he is used in late-game spots, so the next save chance is as much about timing as talent.
Lovullo framed the change as a difficult but necessary call and made clear Sewald was not being cast aside for lack of value. He called him a great teammate and said the Diamondbacks would not be in this position without him, then added that Sewald took the message well. The practical consequence is simpler than the language around it: for now, the ninth inning belongs to whoever matches up best, and Sewald has to earn his way back into the conversation.
