Diamondbacks' A.J. Puk Halts Throwing Program With Elbow Injury

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever A.J. Puk has halted his throwing program due to renewed left elbow soreness and will visit orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache for further evaluation. Puk, who has been on the injured list since mid-April with elbow inflammation and previously underwent Tommy John surgery in 2018, initially hoped to continue throwing through slight discomfort but paused after the pain persisted. Manager Torey Lovullo expressed moderate concern about Puk's condition, indicating that this setback likely delays his return well past the All-Star break, if he returns this season at all. The Diamondbacks' bullpen is struggling significantly, compounded by another injury to reliever Justin Martinez, who will undergo Tommy John surgery and miss over a year. Lovullo emphasized the need for cautious management of the bullpen's health and indicated reliance on Shelby Miller for closing duties amid the injury crisis. The team faces a tough decision at the trade deadline to bolster a bullpen that ranks near the bottom of MLB in ERA.