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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Makes third rehab appearance
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) allowed one hit and struck out one over one inning in a rehab appearance for the Diamondbacks' rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Saturday.
The outing was Puk's third in the ACL while on a rehab assignment. He's allowed two hits and struck out two over three scoreless appearances. The reliever is expected to shift his rehab to Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Monday that Puk (elbow) will need 7-to-8 rehab appearances before returning from the 60-day injured list, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Puk began his rehab assignment with the team's Arizona Complex League affiliate on Saturday, striking out one over a perfect inning. The left-hander will move up to a higher affiliate and make several more rehab appearances before rejoining the Diamondbacks' bullpen.
Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Sitting mid-90s in live BP
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) threw a 20-pitch live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex D'Agostino of SI.com reports.
Puk faced hitters for the first time since undergoing internal brace surgery on his left elbow last June. Per Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, Puk's fastball sat in the mid-90s during the throwing session, and the left-hander bounced back well following the workout. The successful live BP session should set Puk up to begin a rehab assignment this weekend in the rookie-level Arizona Complex League.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Could pitch in rehab game this week
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) will throw a live batting practice session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
It will be the first time he's faced hitters since he had an internal brace procedure on his left elbow last June. If things go well for Puk on Tuesday, he could appear in an Arizona Complex League game Saturday. Puk should be ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks' bullpen sometime in June as long as he doesn't encounter any setbacks.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Throws bullpen Tuesday
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) threw a bullpen session Tuesday and provided an update following the activity, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
The earliest date Puk can be activated from the 60-day injured list is May 21, and the reliever estimated he'd be "facing batters or starting rehab games" around then. The left-hander is four bullpen sessions in and will throw at least another six before facing hitters.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Amassing bullpen sessions
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) has thrown multiple bullpen sessions since late March, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Puk is coming back from an internal brace procedure he underwent last June. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that his best guess is that Puk returns to the team at some point in June.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Throwing off mound
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) has begun throwing bullpen sessions off a mound, MLB.com reports.
The sessions are described as "short box," which is when a catcher sets up just in front of home plate. Puk underwent internal brace elbow surgery last June and is expected back sometime around the All-Star break.
The Diamondbacks placed Puk (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday.
The left-hander will be unavailable for at least the first couple months of 2026 while rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so his move to the 60-day IL is just a procedural move. After reporting for spring training last week, Puk said that he expects to make his season debut before July.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Expects to be back before July
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) said Tuesday that he expects to be ready for his season debut before July, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Puk had an internal brace procedure last June rather than a full Tommy John repair of his UCL injury. The less invasive surgery gives him a chance at a quicker return, so a season debut before the All-Star break is possible. The left-hander expects to be cleared to throw off a mound by the end of March, and a clearer picture of his timetable could be available around that time. Puk will have a good shot to assume the closer role in Arizona when he does return, as the Diamondbacks bullpen lacks established options.
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Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk: Agrees to deal
Rotowire
Puk (elbow) agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the Diamondbacks to avoid arbitration Thursday, Jack Sommers of DBacks on SI reports.
Puk was limited to only eight appearances in 2025 and underwent Tommy John surgery in mid-June. He's expected to miss most of 2026 but might be able to contribute down the stretch if he can avoid any setbacks in his rehab program.
Diamondbacks Torey Lovullo told reporters Friday that Puk (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery Thursday, John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM reports.
Puk was pulled from his throwing program last week after experiencing left elbow discomfort. He visited Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles on Thursday, where it was determined that Tommy John surgery is the best option for the 30-year-old southpaw. Puk will miss the rest of the 2025 season, and given the significance of the procedure, he could miss most -- if not all -- of 2026. He'll end the season with a 3.38 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and four saves across eight innings out of the bullpen.
