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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Sidelined 10-plus months
Rotowire
Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports.
Saalfrank underwent surgery Monday to repair the left labrum in his shoulder and has already been placed on the 60-day injured list. The rehab timeline gives the lefty a chance to be ready for the start of the 2027 season, but it is not a given.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Placed on 60-day IL
Rotowire
The Diamondbacks placed Saalfrank (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday.
A spot on the 40-man roster was needed for the addition of Carlos Santana. Saalfrank will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing surgery Monday to repair the left labrum in his shoulder. It's unclear whether he will be ready for the beginning of the 2027 campaign.
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Diamondbacks' Andrew Saalfrank: Undergoes shoulder surgery
Rotowire
Saalfrank will miss the entire 2026 season after undergoing left shoulder surgery Monday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.
Saalfrank dealt with left shoulder fatigue this past September, and while he was cleared of structural damage at the time, subsequent testing evidently revealed the need for surgery. Specifics of Monday's operation aren't yet clear, but the loss of Saalfrank is a hit to a Diamondbacks bullpen already low on quality arms. The southpaw posted a 1.33 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 19:8 K:BB across 27 innings of work for Arizona in 2025.
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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
Rotowire
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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