The Arizona Diamondbacks made some expected roster moves and dropped a bit of a bombshell in announcing that closer J.J. Putz was going on the 15-day disabled list. According to the team, Putz is being put on the DL retroactive to June 29 due to right elbow tendinitis. Manager Kirk Gibson has previously announced that the team was releasing Melvin Mora and that move become official as well.
To replace Putz and Mora, the Diamondbacks activated reliever Sam Demel from the DL and selected the contract of infielder Sean Burroughs from Triple-A Reno.
Putz has struggled recently after starting the season with 16-straight saves. He's blown four saves in his last nine opportunities and gave up a run in a tie game in the ninth inning that earned him the loss. GM Kevin Towers recently suggested the Putz had a "dead arm" but the team's closer has insisted all along that he's been fine physically.
Demel, 25, was placed on the disabled list on May 24 (retroactive to May 22) with right shoulder tendinitis and missed 36 games. In 2 rehabilitation appearances with Reno, he posted a 9.00 ERA (2 ER in 2.0 IP) with 2 walks and a strikeout. In 21 games for the D-backs, he has a 1-2 record and 1.72 ERA (3 ER in 15.2 IP) with 7 walks and 10 strikeouts.
Burroughs returns to the team after being sent down in favor of Wily Mo Pena. He went 6-24 (.250) in 23 games while he was with the team from May 19 to June 19.