The Arizona Diamondbacks aim to avoid citing injuries as an excuse, yet the impact has become undeniable.
Manager Torey Lovullo announced on Friday that reliever A.J. Puk had season-ending elbow surgery, while catcher Gabriel Moreno was diagnosed with a fractured finger on his throwing hand. Additionally, catcher Adrian Del Castillo in the minors is dealing with lower back pain, and left-handed pitcher Tommy Henry is set to undergo Tommy John surgery.
Currently, six players on the 40-man roster are sidelined due to Tommy John surgeries or revisions: Puk, Henry, Justin Martinez, Corbin Burnes, Jordan Montgomery, and Blake Walston. Other injured players include Cristian Mena (shoulder), Kendall Graveman (hip), and Christian Montes De Oca (back).
Missing key players like Burnes, Puk, and Martinez has severely affected the team’s pitching depth. While Martinez is undergoing a revision surgery, Puk’s specific needs are still under evaluation, with hopes that a bracing procedure may reduce recovery time. These injuries could also have implications for the team’s performance in 2026.
The only comparable season in Diamondbacks history concerning Tommy John surgeries was in 2014, where several key pitchers were mostly sidelined. The 2014 squad faced broader injury challenges and ended up winning only 63 games, leading to significant changes in management.
The current team has hovered around the .500 mark all season, staying competitive for a Wild Card spot but requiring a strong performance to improve their standings. Despite having one of MLB’s best offenses, it has been difficult to secure wins with the pitching staff’s erratic performance.
Numerous factors contribute to Arizona’s pitching staff’s unsatisfactory 4.85 ERA. The rotation has experienced inconsistencies, while underperforming bullpen members have further strained the unit. Although defense has improved, the Diamondbacks’ struggles with maintaining leads highlight what Puk and Martinez could have contributed.
