A.J. Puk

No word yet on the extent of the injury, but shoulder inflammation is never a great sign. The Diamondbacks have already said they're going to play matchups with their bullpen at the end of games, so that likely means Justin Martinez will see the vast majority of saves when right-handed hitters are up, with A.J. Puk getting save chances when left-handed hitters are up.

Martinez came on with two on and one out in the fifth and gave up an RBI single. He was then credited with an earned run of his own after a stolen base and a wild pitch. With his 6.23 ERA, Martinez definitely had a worst spring than A.J. Puk, who allowed just one run in eight innings. Still, his new five-year extension and guaranteed salaries give the D-backs additional reason to use him over Puk as their closer. He seems like the favorite for saves, even if Puk figures to be the better pitcher.

Martinez gave up a loud triple and a soft single today. He didn't walk anyone, so we wouldn't worry about it. It's interesting that D-backs manager Torey Lovullo wants to mix and match in the ninth now after never showing any interest in doing that previously when he tended to have considerably worse late-game options to choose from. A.J. Puk is an elite reliever. Martinez also looked the part last year. We're skeptical the mix-and-match scenario will last long, and Martinez, as the righty, has the better chance of running away with the job.

Arizona manager Torey Lovullo may not name a closer before the start of the regular season, leaving Puk, Justin Martinez and Kevin Ginkel as candidates to earn saves, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.

The widely-held assumption is that hard-throwing righty Justin Martinez, who has struck out nine over six innings of work this spring, will get the first crack at the ninth-inning role for the Diamondbacks. However, fantasy managers should expect southpaw A.J. Puk, and possibly even other high-leverage arms like Kevin Ginkel or Ryan Thompson, coming on to vulture the occasional save opportunity in the desert. Barring an unexpected development, Martinez projects as a borderline top-20 closer for fantasy purposes in remaining drafts.