Elite hitters, a manageable rotation even without former Cy Young Award-winning pitcher Corbin Burnes and a solid defense are not enough right now for the Diamondbacks.
The main issue plaguing the team this season: the bullpen.
“It’s unacceptable and embarrassing,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said before Monday’s game the Giants. “Our starters can’t throw 140 pitches a game. Our bullpen has to come in and do the job, which they are not.”
Shelby Miller appeared to respond to Lovullo’s words by striking out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Monday’s 4-2 win over the Giants, after having had blown two of his last five save chances. But the manager’s frustration was palpable before the game Monday, as the team’s bullpen carries the third-highest ERA in baseball at 5.23.
“You have to look at the negative things and also the positive,” relief pitcher Jalen Beeks said. “My latest outing wasn’t good, and I have to focus on how I can get better going forward.”
Beeks did surrender five runs in the final game of a three-game series against the Miami Marlins Sunday, resulting in a sweep.
An avalanche of injuries has also haunted the bullpen.
Six pitchers are on the injured list, and four of them — Jordan Montgomery, A.J. Puk, Christian Montes de Oca and Justin Martinez — are out for the rest of the season.
“It’s been difficult, and I think (pitching coach Brian) Kaplan is doing the best that he can,” Lovullo said. “It’s not an excuse for our bullpen’s performance, but it certainly has contributed to it.”
Kyle Backhus remains a bright spot in the bullpen’s tumultuous season. He is sporting a 1.23 ERA in eight games pitched, with one earned run.
“It’s about confidence, and that resonates through the pitching unit,” Backhus said. “We’re all professionals. We go through ruts, and right now we are in the thick of a rut.”
The starting rotation has not been ideal by any means, sporting an ERA of 4.75. Still, the starters have done their part in recent games, only for the bullpen to give up the lead.
“We have important series coming up against San Francisco and San Diego,” said Diamondbacks reliever Anthony DeSclafani, who closed out Tuesday’s game. “As a unit, we have to lock in, clear our minds and do our part in ensuring wins for the team.”
DeSclafani is in his first season with the Diamondbacks and debuted a few weeks ago after missing all of the 2024 season because of a flexor tendon tear in his arm.
DeSclafani hopes to be able to provide a spark to a bullpen that is in much need of momentum going forward.
Kendall Graveman, who missed the past month with a hip injury, is expected to return to the mound soon.
“He threw a bullpen last Tuesday, and we’re planning on having him pitch live at the end of the week,” Lovullo said. “Hopefully, he is back by the Padres series.”
Cristian Mena, who has been on the 60-day injured list since early June with a teres shoulder strain, could be out until August. This is a big loss, as he has a 1.35 ERA in games pitched this year.
“For Mena, with a teres strain, it’s tricky,” Lovullo said. “We cannot rush him back.”
The Diamondbacks sit at 43-42 and are not out of the playoff picture yet. But with two series against divisional rivals ahead of them in the standings — relief will have to come from their pen.
What else is new? This has been a problem for nearly a decade. They pay $200m for a starting pitcher that turns out to be a bust rather than getting good relievers or offering that money to Zac Galen to keep him. Back office management is the real problem the Diamondbacks have