Saalfrank (2-1) struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the win over the Giants on Tuesday.
Saalfrank was down over the weekend due to left shoulder fatigue that prompted imaging, but it appears nothing concerning was found, as the reliever was able to return after a few days off. Saalfrank ended up with the win after pitching a clean top of the ninth inning, after the Diamondbacks walked it off in their half of the frame. He's been part of a closer committee late in the season, picking up three saves and five holds since the start of August. Overall, Saalfrank has a 1.33 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB through 27 innings this season.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Nursing shoulder fatigue
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Monday that Saalfrank is dealing with left shoulder fatigue, Diamondbacks on SI reports.
Lovullo intimated that he knew Saalfrank wasn't 100 percent when he used him during Friday's game in Minnesota, but the skipper felt it was an emergency situation and Saalfrank "gave us what he could." Saalfrank allowed one walk in one-third of an inning and was charged with a blown save in the appearance. Lovullo also indicated that Saakfrank would undergo imaging just to make sure he's not dealing with anything beyond fatigue. Consider the lefty reliever day-to-day at this point. Saalfrank has picked up three saves as part of the Diamondbacks' closer by committee. Kyle Backhus, Jake Woodford and Taylor Rashi have each registered one save for Arizona this month.
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Charged with blown save
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Saalfrank blew the save Friday against the Twins, walking one in one-third of an inning.
It was Jake Woodford who was responsible for Minnesota's three runs in the ninth inning, and Saalfrank was unable to put out the fire while taking his second blown save of the year. Given that he came away with no earned runs, the 28-year-old southpaw should remain in the mix for saves going forward. Through 26 innings, Saalfrank has a 1.38 ERA and 1.00 WHIP while converting three of his five save opportunities.
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Records five outs for save
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Saalfrank picked up the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Milwaukee, allowing one hit and no walks in 1.2 scoreless innings. He struck out two.
Saalfrank turned in his fifth straight scoreless outing and threw a season-high 29 pitches. Kyle Backhus recorded two outs in the seventh inning for a hold, which does suggest Saalfrank is ahead of Backhus in Arizona's closer hierarchy. Ryan Thompson (shoulder) could also factor into the mix once he completes his rehab assignment, so this situation is perhaps in a state of flux. Saalfrank at least appears to be one of the favorites for saves, submitting a 1.35 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 14:5 K:BB over his 20 innings.
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Back on track with second save
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Saalfrank struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 6-5 win over the Guardians.
Saalfrank took a blown save in Colorado on Saturday, allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning. He bounced back with a sharp outing Tuesday, needing just nine pitchers to retire the Cleveland trio of Jose Ramirez, Kyle Manzardo and Carlos Santana. It's interesting that Saalfrank got the nod for this save when fellow left-hander Jalen Beeks had pitched just once over the previous four days. Arizona's bullpen has turned into a full-blown committee throughout the year between injuries and ineffectiveness. Saalfrank has been a breath of fresh air, pitching to a 1.72 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB over 15.2 innings while picking up two saves and one hold. It's unclear if this outing is a signal that the 28-year-old will be competing for more save chances down the stretch, but he has taken care of business in lower-leverage spots to earn a larger role.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Records blown save Saturday
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Saalfrank was charged with a blown save in Saturday's 10-7 loss against the Rockies. He allowed two runs on two hits over two-thirds of an inning.
The southpaw entered in the eighth inning with a one-run lead, one out and two runners in scoring position, and he promptly gave up the lead by allowing a two-run single to Kyle Farmer. A few batters later, Saalfrank served up a two-run homer to Tyler Freeman. Saalfrank came into Saturday's outing with a sparkling 0.64 ERA through 14 innings on the season, but some regression was inevitable -- after Saturday's performance, he carries a 1.84 ERA to go along with a 1.16 WHIP.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Earns first big-league save
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Saalfrank delivered a perfect ninth inning Wednesday to record the save in a 6-4 victory over the Rangers.
With Jalen Beeks unavailable after pitching Tuesday and Kyle Backhus working in the seventh inning, it was Saalfrank who got the call for the save after Arizona took the lead with four runs in the top half of the ninth inning. The left-hander got the job done, setting down the top of the Rangers order to earn his first major-league save. The 27-year-old Saalfrank has been impressive since rejoining the Diamondbacks in early July. He's allowed just one run while striking out nine in his first 14 MLB innings this year, establishing himself as a high-leverage option down the stretch.
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Recalled from Triple-A
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The Diamondbacks recalled Saalfrank from Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
In a corresponding move, Arizona optioned Bryce Jarvis to Triple-A. Saalfrank has yet to pitch in the big leagues this season and has struggled with his command at Reno, logging a 7.15 ERA and 14:10 K:BB across 11.1 innings of work. He'll fill a middle-relief role with the Diamondbacks.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Sent to Triple-A
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The Diamondbacks assigned Saalfrank to Triple-A Reno from the Arizona Complex League on Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Saalfrank was reinstated from a the ineligible list June 5 after missing a year due to a suspension. He now returns to Triple-A Reno where he made 23 and 18 appearances during the 2023 and 2024 seasons, respectively.
Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Reinstated, sent to rookie ball
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The Diamondbacks reinstated Saalfrank (suspension) from the ineligible list and optioned him to the rookie-level Arizona Complex League on Thursday.
Saalfrank will take back a spot on the Diamondbacks' 40-man roster and will be available to compete again after he served a one-year suspension stemming from violations of MLB's gambling policy. Before he was handed the ban last June, Saalfrank appeared in two games out of the Arizona bullpen but had otherwise pitched exclusively at Triple-A Reno, where he logged a 2.63 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 28:10 K:BB in 24 innings. Since he wasn't able to pitch in any rehab games while he was suspended, Saalfrank will ease back into action in rookie ball before likely reporting back to Reno within the next few weeks.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Handed one-year suspension
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Major League Baseball announced Tuesday that Saalfrank has received a one-year suspension for violating the league's gambling policy, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.
MLB's investigation revealed that Saalfrank made a total of 29 baseball bets -- including 28 on MLB games -- while he was on a minor-league contract with the Diamondbacks. He didn't appear in any of the games on which he bet and MLB has determined the outcomes of the contests weren't compromised in any way. Saalfrank has made two appearances out of the Arizona bullpen this season but was optioned to Triple-A Reno on May 1.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Optioned back down
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Saalfrank was optioned to Triple-A Reno on Wednesday.
The southpaw slinger will head back to the Aces after being brought up in late April. Saalfrank appeared in two games during his quick tenure with the Diamondbacks, and he allowed four earned runs over one inning.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Called up Tuesday
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The Diamondbacks recalled Saalfrank from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
The left-hander missed out on Arizona's Opening Day roster but will join the big club Tuesday as Miguel Castro (shoulder) moves to the injured list. Saalfrank made his MLB debut with 10 relief appearances last season and didn't allow an earned run over 10.1 innings.
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