DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: NL West - Bell getting first chance to replace Putz in Arizona

Arizona Diamondbacks

J.J. Putz (RHP, ARI) has been placed on the disabled list with a sprained UCL, and will be shut down for a couple of weeks. While it's not clear how much time he will miss, it certainly won't be a short stint.

Heath Bell (RHP, ARI), who closed out games on back to back nights against the Dodgers, will get the first chance to close while Putz is sidelined. Bell's skills were rather pedestrian in 2011-12, and his struggles cost him the closer role in Miami last season. He started off poorly this year as well, allowing four earned runs in 2 1/3 innings in his first three appearances. He has since righted the ship, allowing just three runs in 12 innings, while posting a 17:2 K:BB ratio. That sample is clearly too small...

Almost!

You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!

Already a subscriber? Sign in here

More From PT Tomorrow

CJ Kayfus had a bad night in left field on Sunday. Could it hurt his playing time going forward? Plus, a look at early lineups in CHW and DET, the closer situation in KC, and positional flexibility for the Twins C.J. Culpepper.
Apr 2 2026 3:05am
With Bryan Abreu's early season struggles, is there a change to be made at closer in Houston?
Apr 1 2026 3:05am
Jesús Sánchez (pictured) and Nathan Lukes are jockeying for at-bats in left field for Toronto. Plus, more fallout from the first weekend of action in 2026.
Mar 31 2026 3:05am
This week's NL West column answers the lineup questions we posed at the beginning of spring training.
Mar 28 2026 3:05am

Tools