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!

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