The Diamondbacks declined their half of Melancon's (shoulder) $5 million mutual option for 2024 on Sunday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Arizona unsurprisingly elected to pay the $2 million buyout after Melancon missed the entire 2023 campaign with a shoulder strain. The veteran right-hander recorded 18 saves in 2022 but was inconsistent with a 4.66 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 35:21 K:BB over 56 innings, likely limiting his options in free agency as he enters his age-39 campaign.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Shut down for year
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Manager Torey Lovullo announced Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been shut down for the year, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Melancon began a minor-league rehab assignment last weekend with Triple-A Reno, but he was lit up for three earned runs while recording only two outs in his lone appearance. The veteran reliever suffered a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder this spring and did not wind up throwing a pitch in a major-league game this season. He carries a $5 million mutual option (or $2 million buyout) for the 2024 campaign.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Starts rehab assignment
Rotowire
Melancon (shoulder) allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning Sunday in his first rehab appearance with Triple-A Reno.
This was the first game appearance in 2023 for Melancon, who has been out all season after being diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder back in March. It wasn't an encouraging first performance for the veteran reliever, but he's still hoping to show the Diamondbacks he's ready to rejoin their bullpen before the end of the week.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Throwing bullpen sessions
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Melancon (shoulder) has begun throwing off a mound, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Melancon began his throwing program back in late May, but he was just cleared to begin throwing bullpen sessions within the past couple of weeks. There's no telling whether or not Melancon will be able to return to Arizona's bullpen before the end of the season, but considering how slow his rehab process has been up to this point, there's a chance the team opts to hold him out until 2024.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Not yet cleared for mound work
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said Friday that Melancon (shoulder) has been throwing off flat ground from 130 feet, MLB.com reports.
Melancon began his throwing program all the way back on May 22, and even though he's experienced no reported setbacks in his recovery from a subscapularis strain in the ensuing two and a half months, he still hasn't been cleared to resume throwing off a mound. As a one-inning relief pitcher, Melancon will require less buildup time than a starter, but based on how slowly his recovery from the injury has proceeded thus far, it's far from guaranteed that he'll be ready to pitch by the time the regular season ends.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Begins throwing program
Rotowire
Melancon (shoulder) began a throwing program Monday.
Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain back in March. The pitcher said there were a couple of tears, but surgery would not be required.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Shifts to 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks transferred Melancon (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Sunday.
Melancon will move off the 40-man roster to help clear room for two new bullpen additions for the Diamondbacks in Peter Solomon and Jose Ruiz. The right-hander isn't expected to return until the summer after receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection in his strained shoulder in the middle of March.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Begins season on IL
Rotowire
Arizona placed Melancon (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Thursday.
The veteran reliever was given a platelet-rich plasma injection in mid-March in hopes of speeding along his recovery. However, Melancon's absence could end up being measured in months, not weeks.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Will begin season on IL
Rotowire
Melancon was diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder Thursday and will begin the season on the injured list, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
The news keeps getting worse regarding Melancon's shoulder. He will receive a PRP injection Thursday and is expected to miss the first few months of the season. Expect Andrew Chafin and Kevin Ginkel to pick up an increased share of save opportunities while Melancon is out.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Dealing with shoulder issues
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Diamondbacks general manager Mike Hazen said Melancon has a shoulder issue and will likely miss the beginning of the season, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Manager Torey Lovullo previously said the veteran reliever was battling arm fatigue and emphasized that Melancon was fine. Now that it seems like Melancon will be sidelined for the start of the season, the door opens for other relievers like Kevin Ginkel and Andrew Chafin to pick up some saves early in the year.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Experiencing fatigue
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Melancon has not pitched since last Friday because he's "battling some fatigue," Theo Mackie of the Arizona Republic reports.
The manager stressed that Melancon is fine, but that he's "backing off" certain players when the need arises. Melancon's had a rough spring and should not be considered the Diamondbacks' sole closer.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Makes first scoreless appearance
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Melancon allowed one hit and walked one while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring game against Cincinnati.
Melancon authored his first scoreless appearance over three Cactus League outings. The reliever's 16.88 ERA this spring has manager Torey Lovullo exploring several options to close games in 2023.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Struggles again
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Melancon allowed two runs on three hits while striking out one over one inning in Monday's spring game against Kansas City.
That makes two disappointing -- maybe alarming -- Cactus League outings by Melancon, who's given up five runs on nine hits over two innings this spring. While he was not named the sole closer, Melancon is expected to be part of the crew that closes out games, but not if results like this are the norm. Those speculating on Arizona saves may want to keep the names Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply handy. Of the group, Mantiply has the most success so far this spring.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Roughed up in first outing
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Melancon allowed three runs on six hits while striking out two over one inning in Friday's spring game against Seattle.
Melancon made his spring debut in the fourth inning and was immediately tagged for a single and a home run. After a strikeout, the next four hitters reached base before he finished out the inning. Melancon operated as the team's closer to start 2022 before losing the job then reclaiming it again late. He'll be part of the late-game mix in 2023, although manager Torey Lovullo has said the closer role will be fluid.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Among many possible closers
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Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said the Diamondbacks' closer role will "be fluid," which means Melancon is not a lock to finish games, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. "I haven't yet made up my mind about naming somebody as our ninth-inning guy," the manager said.
Melancon opened the 2022 season as the sole closer, but his grip on the job was tenuous. He finished the year with a 3-10 record, 18 saves and three blown saves and a 4.66 ERA, including stints when he was removed from the role. Lovullo sounds open to the idea of having a fluid bullpen. Beyond Melancon, the manager could be eyeing Andrew Chafin, Kevin Ginkel and Joe Mantiply.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Earns 18th save
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Melancon didn't allow a baserunner during the 10th inning to pick up the save against the Astros on Wednesday.
Melancon's number was called in the bottom of the 10th, and he proceeded to retire all three batters he faced on a total of six pitches to record his first save since Aug. 17. The 37-year-old reliever has been solid for the Diamondbacks in September to the tune of a 2.70 ERA and 1.20 WHIP over 10 appearances.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Mops up in loss
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Melancon allowed one hit and two walks while striking out one over a scoreless ninth inning in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Dodgers.
Melancon retired the first two batters before loading the bases on a single and two walks but escaped the jam. It was the eighth consecutive outing that the former closer entered in a non-save situation. Melancon has a 5.56 ERA with three saves, eight strikeouts and eight walks over 11.1 innings (13 appearances) since manager Torey Lovullo moved to a closer-by-committee in early August. Ian Kennedy had solidified the role for a spell, but he's had issues of late (32.40 ERA last three outings), which prompted the manager to describe his closer situation as "fluid."
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Rocked in non-save situation
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Melancon allowed four runs on three hits and a walk without retiring a batter in Saturday's 16-7 loss to the Cardinals.
St. Louis batters jumped on Melancon, who entered the top of ninth inning with Arizona down by a run, and he lasted just 12 pitches. Edwin Uceta followed and gave up a grand slam (three runs charged to Melancon) and then some. Melancon had pitched well after being removed from the closer's role until Saturday's results. The performance continues a pattern in which Melancon's more effective with a save on the line (2.89 ERA) than in non-save situations (5.48 ERA).
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Records save with perfect inning
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Melancon earned a save against the Giants on Wednesday, striking out one batter in a perfect inning.
Melancon came on in the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead, and he was able to retire the side on just nine pitches. A wild pitch on a strikeout allowed the first batter he faced to reach base, but that was quickly wiped out by a double-play grounder. Since blowing a save Aug. 1 against Cleveland, Melancon has converted three straight save opportunities while giving up only one run over five innings. He and Ian Kennedy have alternated the past six successful saves for Arizona and appear to be locked into the top spots in a closer committee.
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Diamondbacks' Mark Melancon: Making slight changes
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Melancon tweaked his delivery since Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo added other relievers to the closer mix, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. "I've been always trying to tweak things to be better," Melancon said.
Melancon said the changes are barely perceptible to the naked eye and involve tightening his torso and creating more tension throughout his body to hone his command. "I'm creating more down angle, or cut, on the ball," Melancon said. "And just less stress on the shoulder, creating more tension throughout." The changes, however small, have worked for the right-hander. In the three outings since the role change, Melancon has allowed one hit and three walks with three strikeouts over three scoreless innings, which includes two saves.
