The Arizona Diamondbacks are moving on from their former closer.
John Gambadoro of 98.7 FM Arizona Sports reported on Monday that the Diamondbacks are designating Paul Sewald for assignment. Sewald, 36, signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with Arizona to make a second stint with the team; he previously pitched for the Diamondbacks in 2023 and 2024.
Despite collecting 24 saves in 27 opportunities, Sewald posted a 6.23 ERA and 5.68 FIP in 45 appearances, allowing 12 home runs in 39 innings. Most of that damage has come since June 23 after a strong start to the year.
Sewald first broke out with the Seattle Mariners in 2021, going 10-3 with 11 saves in 62 appearances alongside a 3.06 ERA and 104 strikeouts over 64.2 innings. After another strong season in 2022 and a strong first half in 2023, the Diamondbacks acquired him at the trade deadline to bolster their postseason push.
The right-hander took over as Arizona's closer from there and converted 13-of-15 save opportunities in the regular season, posting a 3.57 ERA in 17.2 frames. He helped the Diamondbacks reach the 2023 World Series, but blew a save in Game 1 against the Texas Rangers by allowing a game-tying two-run homer to Corey Seager in the ninth inning; Arizona lost that game in extra innings and eventually lost the series in five games.
In 2024, Sewald converted each of his first 11 save opportunities after missing the first month of the season, but struggled badly in July with a 10.80 ERA in 12 appearances. He was ultimately removed as closer in favor of Justin Martinez, and finished the year with a 4.31 ERA and 16 saves in 42 appearances.
After spending 2025 with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, Sewald returned to the D-backs in the offseason and served as closer for much of this season. Similarly to his 2024 campaign, the veteran started strong with a 3.18 ERA, 32 strikeouts and 18 saves over his first 31 games.
Unfortunately, he imploded from June 23 onward, allowing 18 runs and seven home runs over his next 14 games for a ghastly 14.34 ERA. This prompted Arizona to demote Sewald from the closer's role again and eventually DFA him.
With the trade deadline in the rearview mirror, a few teams may show interest in Sewald once he clears waivers and becomes a free agent. Although his recent stretch has been very ugly, the encouraging start to his 2026 campaign indicates that he can still contribute meaningfully to a team's bullpen.
Arizona has not settled on a permanent closer since demoting Sewald, as manager Torey Luvullo is taking a closer-by-committee approach. Some of the D-backs' options include Taylor Clarke, Brandyn Garcia, Kevin Ginkel, Jonathan Loáisiga and Juan Morillo. Justin Martinez is also working his way back from Tommy John surgery and could return later this month.
