Arizona manager Torey Lovullo said Ginkel is among a few relievers that could get save opportunities with Shelby Miller (forearm) on the 15-day injured list, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. "We're gonna piece it together the best way we can," Lovullo said. "I'm not gonna say anybody's gonna close the game."
Ginkel received the first closing opportunity since Miller landed on the IL and successfully converted the save in Monday's 6-3 win over San Diego. Ginkel has history closing games with the Diamondbacks, but it's wise for the manager to not rely solely on a reliever that owns a grisly 9.00 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in 2025. Weiner's report also mentioned Jalen Beeks (16 career saves) and rookies Kyle Backhus and Juan Morillo. The manager acknowledged that the two rookies will need to pitch in high-leverage situations going forward.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Records save Monday
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Ginkel earned a save against the Padres on Monday, walking one batter in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.
Ginkel got the call in the ninth frame with Arizona holding a three-run lead, and he got the job done despite issuing a leadoff walk. It was just the second save of the season for Ginkel, but it's telling that he was chosen for the team's first save opportunity after Shelby Miller (forearm) landed on the injured list Monday. It remains to be seen how the Diamondbacks will handle the closer role while Miller is out of action, but Monday's usage suggests that Ginkel will be in the mix and may be the top ninth-inning option for the time being.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Used in low-leverage spot
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Ginkel allowed three runs on two hits and two walks over one inning in Wednesday's 8-1 loss to Toronto. He also hit a batter.
Ginkel made his second appearance since being recalled and both have been in low-leverage, mop-up duty. He managed to escape with a win in his first outing Saturday when the Diamondbacks scored five runs in the bottom of ninth to overcome a four-run deficit that Ginkel helped create. On Wednesday, he entered with Arizona trailing by four runs and threw just 13 strikes among his 29 offerings. Ginkel has allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits and three walks while hitting a batter over two innings since his return to the majors.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Back in Arizona
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The Diamondbacks recalled Ginkel from Triple-A Reno on Tuesday.
Ginkel will be joined on the trip from Reno by Bryce Jarvis and Tayler Scott, who will all join the big-league squad to replace the injured Justin Martinez (elbow) and Christian Montes De Oca (elbow), as well as the demoted Jeff Brigham. Ginkel hasn't found much success in the big leagues this year with a 12.60 ERA through 10 innings, though he has the potential to bounce back after posting a 3.21 ERA in 70 MLB frames last season.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Officially demoted to Triple-A
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The Diamondbacks optioned Ginkel to Triple-A Reno on Friday.
Ginkel has struggled out of the bullpen since returning from the injured list in late April. He has a 12.60 ERA and 2.10 WHIP across 10 innings this season, and those numbers are inflated by two outings in which he gave up a combined 10 earned runs. Ginkel will head to the minors to regain his form on the mound while Jeff Brigham comes up from Triple-A in a corresponding move.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Set for demotion
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The Diamondbacks are expected to option Ginkel to Triple-A Reno ahead of their weekend series versus the Nationals, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ginkel began the season on the injured list due to a shoulder injury and has not looked like his usual self since coming off the injured list in late April. During his most recent outing May 27, he allowed five earned runs on four hits and a walk and was only able to register one out. In a corresponding move, Arizona will select Jeff Brigham from Triple-A Reno.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Melts down Friday
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Ginkel (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Friday versus the Dodgers, allowing five runs on four hits while striking out one over one-third of an inning.
Tasked with protecting a three-run lead, Ginkel fell far short of expectations, allowing the Dodgers to build up a rally. He'd already given up the tying hit, a Max Muncy RBI single, before Ryan Thompson came in and allowed two inherited runners to score on a Shohei Ohtani home run. Ginkel has allowed eight runs over 4.2 innings with a 7:3 K:BB since making his season debut April 30 versus the Mets. He has a save, three holds and a blown save, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Shelby Miller or Thompson get the next save opportunity after Ginkel's meltdown Friday.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Set for rehab assignment
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Ginkel (shoulder) threw 24 pitches in an extended spring training game Monday, MLB.com reports.
Ginkel will report to Triple-A Reno later this week to begin a rehab assignment. He was shut down shortly before Opening Day due to right shoulder inflammation, but because he's projected to serve as a one- or two-inning reliever, Ginkel won't require much build-up time in the minors. He could be activated from the 15-day injured list at some point next week.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Ready for live batters
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Ginkel (shoulder) threw a bullpen session Friday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
Ginkel, whose shoulder injury surfaced late in spring training, has thrown a couple of sessions and is ready to face live batters. Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said it's likely that Ginkel will throw a rehab game before being activated.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Set for bullpen session
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Ginkel (shoulder) will throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
Ginkel has been sidelined with right shoulder inflammation to open the 2025 campaign, but Tuesday's session will represent a major milestone in his recovery. Once healthy, the right-hander figures to operate as a high-leverage arm in the back end of Arizona's bullpen, potentially garnering a save opportunity from time to time.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Officially put on IL
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The Diamondbacks placed Ginkel (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Ginkel will miss the first few series of the 2025 campaign due to inflammation in his right shoulder, but he shouldn't need more than a minimum-length stay on the IL. Once healthy, the 31-year-old righty is expected to handle high-leverage situations, though Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk will likely receive the bulk of ninth-inning opportunities.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Bound for injured list
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Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that Ginkel is likely to begin the season on the injured list due to right shoulder inflammation, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
The right-hander pitched well during camp with one run allowed and an 8:1 K:BB over six frames in the Cactus League, but the shoulder issue surfaced in the last few days and will cost him the start of the campaign. It isn't expected to be a lengthy stay on the injured list, but Ginkel's absence will cement Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk as the primary options at closer to begin the year.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Avoids arbitration with Arizona
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Ginkel and the Diamondbacks agreed to a one-year, $2.425 million contract Thursday to avoid arbitration, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
The right-hander will nearly double his salary in his second year of arbitration eligibility. Ginkel recorded five saves and 18 holds with a 3.21 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 77:15 K:BB over 70 innings last season, and he should continue to work in a high-leverage role for Arizona in 2025.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Pitched through fractured leg
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Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo revealed Tuesday that Ginkel suffered a fractured bone in his left leg when he was hit by a comebacker during an appearance versus the Mets on June 1, Alex Weiner of ArizonaSports.com reports.
The Diamondbacks said at the time that X-rays on Ginkel's leg came back negative, but evidently, subsequent testing revealed the fracture. Ginkel never went on the injured list and his numbers suggest the discomfort didn't hinder him, as he held a 2.81 ERA and 57:10 K:BB over 48 innings after the incident. The reliever's leg should fully heal with a little rest this offseason.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Unable to hold lead
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Ginkel allowed one unearned run on two hits and struck out two over 1.1 innings in Sunday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the Rays.
Ginkel was the pitcher of record when Arizona took a 7-6 lead in the top half of the 10th inning -- the Diamondbacks scored six combined runs in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings to force extra innings. He was unable to hold the lead and spoiled what would have been a dramatic comeback win. It's unclear why manager Torey Lovullo didn't go with a rested Justin Martinez, who has been given the bulk of save opportunities since Paul Sewald was removed as the team's closer.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Could be in mix for saves
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Ginkel and A.J. Puk are the favorites to see save chances after Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo removed Paul Sewald as the team's closer Friday, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
Ginkel recorded five saves as Arizona's closer when Sewald was on the injured list to begin the season, but he's been limited to setup duties over the past few months. Puk was acquired from the Marlins last week and may have a slight edge in terms of upside. Lovullo declined to name a replacement for Sewald, and it's possible the manager utilizes a committee approach.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Earns hold in win
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Ginkel did not allow a hit or walk over a scoreless inning to earn a hold in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Cubs.
Ginkel hurled a 1-2-3 sixth inning to claim his eighth hold. He entered earlier than normal and was the first of four relievers to throw a scoreless frame after starter Zac Gallen grinded through five scoreless innings on102 pitches. Following a rough stretch in May, Ginkel has been an effective arm; the right-hander has a 0.78 ERA and has allowed just two walks over his last 23 innings (22 appearances).
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Struck by comebacker
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Ginkel was hit in the left leg by a comebacker during Saturday's game against the Mets and was removed from the game, Jesse Friedman of GoPHNX.com reports. He threw one perfect inning before the incident.
Ginkel was the first arm out of the bullpen for the Diamondbacks on Saturday, replacing Slade Cecconi late in the fifth inning. The 30-year-old retired the first two batters he faced before getting hit by a 98 MPH comebacker from Brandon Nimmo, who was still thrown out at first. Bryce Jarvis replaced Ginkel on the mound.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Charged with blown save
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Ginkel allowed one run on one hit over one inning and was charged with a blown save in Saturday's 5-4 extra-innings loss to the Orioles.
With the Diamondbacks ahead 4-3, Ginkel entered to start the eighth inning and dispatched the first two batters with ease before Anthony Santander squared up a fastball outside the zone for a game-tying home run. It was the third blown save of the season for Ginkel, who was moved back to a setup role when Paul Sewald was activated off the injured list last week. Ginkel has a 3.31 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with four walks and 15 strikeouts over 16.1 innings.
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Diamondbacks' Kevin Ginkel: Notches fourth save
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Ginkel earned a save after he pitched one inning, allowing one run on two hits while striking out a batter in Sunday's 5-3 win over the Giants.
Ginkel was tasked with protecting a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, giving up a run on a pair of doubles before striking out Mike Yastrzemski to end the game. The 30-year-old has now converted four out of six save opportunities this season while operating as the team's primary closer with Paul Sewald (oblique) on the shelf. Ginkel sports a 3.48 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 11 strikeouts over 10.1 innings in 10 appearances this year.
