Who is the Diamondbacks Closer? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlook

The Arizona Diamondbacks landed a closer at the trade deadline last season in Paul Sewald. Sewald was a solid option in the later innings for Arizona, as he totaled 13 saves across 20 games with a 3.57 ERA. In total, the right-hander finished with a career-high 34 saves in 2023.

However, Sewald will not start the season as the Diamondbacks closer. That's because the veteran landed on the 15-day injured list to begin the year with a Grade 2 left oblique strain.

So, who is the new Diamondbacks closer? Is he a viable fantasy baseball option? Let's dive in and find out.

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Who is the Diamondbacks Starting Closer?

With Sewald placed on the 15-day IL, he is set to miss at least the first two weeks of the season. However, given that his oblique strain is a Grade 2, it is very likely he will miss more than that to begin the 2024 campaign. He is first eligible to come off the IL on April 9, but that doesn't seem reasonable.

In his place, look for Kevin Ginkel to take over closer role duties for the time being. Although Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo didn't officially name Ginkel as the team's closer, all signs point to the veteran taking over.

Closer Paul Sewald has a Grade 2 left oblique strain and will open the year on the injured list, Torey Lovullo said.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) March 25, 2024

Ginkel was solid for Arizona last year, and he should be a reliable option in the closer role until Sewald returns. The right-hander went 9-1 last year with a 2.48 ERA and four saves across 65.1 innings pitched. He also allowed just 41 hits (5.6 hits per nine innings) and a 0.980 WHIP.

Kevin Ginkel Fantasy Baseball Outlook

There hasn't been an exact timeline given on Sewald's return, so you should plan accordingly with Ginkel moving forward. With Sewald joining Jordan Romano and Jhoan Duran as closers to start the season on the IL, Ginkel could be a nice replacement for your fantasy roster right now.

For starters, he plays on a Diamondbacks team that should win plenty of ballgames in the coming month. Arizona will face the Colorado Rockies six more times over the next two weeks while also facing the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants in the middle of April.

Kevin Ginkel, 2023 postseason:

9 IP
0 ER
5 holds
39.4 K%
6.1 BB%
22.2 Sweet Spot%
45.8 Chase%

X-Factor.pic.twitter.com/A9BYQOCF9p

— J (@StromsLab) October 25, 2023

Ginkel should be rostered in most fantasy leagues to begin the season. He will see plenty of save opportunities on an above-average team. Sewald's timeline is unclear right now, but expect him to be out for multiple weeks.

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