Sewald is out as Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo changes up closer's role
· Yahoo Sports
PITTSBURGH — Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo removed right-hander Paul Sewald from the closer’s role, saying he would play matchups in the ninth inning for the time being.
Lovullo gave left-hander Brandyn Garcia the first post-Sewald save opportunity on Wednesday afternoon, July 29, and Garcia struck out two and walked one in a scoreless ninth inning to clinch a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park.
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Though he has converted 24 of 27 save chances this season, Sewald has struggled mightily over the past six weeks, giving up 13 earned runs and seven homers in 11 1/3 innings since mid-June. He blew a three-run lead on Tuesday night, July 28, against the Pirates, which turned out to be the last straw for Lovullo.
Lovullo said Garcia was given the save chance on Wednesday because of the hitters the Pirates had due up in the ninth inning. He named three others — right-handers Juan Morillo, Jonathan Loaisiga and Kevin Ginkel — as candidates to get saves.
“It’ll fall on different people depending on what’s going on,” Lovullo said.
Sewald, who converted 18 of his first 19 save chances to start the season, took the news well, Lovullo said.
“Great teammate,” Lovullo said. “Those are tough conversations to have. Those are tough conversations to absorb. He’s got 24 saves in 27 opportunities. We would not be sitting in this spot without Paul Sewald.
"We both understood that. As I was delivering the message, he received it very, very well.”
The Diamondbacks have another potential closer option working his way back from injury, right-hander Justin Martinez, who could be back from the injured list in early August. Martinez likely will need several outings to demonstrate his effectiveness before being thrust into late-game situations.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Sewald is out as Diamondbacks' Torey Lovullo changes up closer's role