Diamondbacks Reliever A.J. Puk Seeks Specialist Amid Elbow Injury Setback
PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks face a significant setback as reliever A.J. Puk has been pulled from his throwing program and will visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for evaluation of his left elbow injury. Manager Torey Lovullo shared the news Friday after Puk experienced discomfort during flat ground throwing.
Puk, who was placed on the 15-day injured list for left elbow inflammation on April 19 and moved to the 60-day IL on May 1, had recently attempted to throw at distances of up to 120 feet. However, Lovullo noted that Puk’s curiosity about the discomfort ultimately led to the decision to seek specialized attention.
“I think he’s been nursing some little bumps and bruises, and just being honest with us," Lovullo commented. "He wanted to continue throwing through it, but it got to the point where he needed more assurance."
The timing of this news is particularly concerning for the Diamondbacks, coinciding with Justin Martinez’s upcoming Tommy John surgery, which will sideline him for the season. Lovullo acknowledged the need for caution with player usage given the prevalence of elbow injuries, stating, “We can’t get close to that breaking point.”
Currently, there are 43 players in Major League Baseball recovering from Tommy John surgery, with four of them being Diamondbacks. The team will rely on Shelby Miller to step up as the closer in Puk’s absence.
Puk, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, had a promising start to the season with a 3.38 ERA over eight appearances, but the setbacks complicate the team’s ongoing bullpen challenges.
As the Diamondbacks navigate through these injuries, the focus remains on ensuring the health of their players while maintaining competitiveness on the field.
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