Fantasy News

• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Lands on 15-day IL

  Rotowire Apr 20, 2024

  The Marlins placed Puk (shoulder) on the 15-day injured list Saturday. Puk has taken the loss in all four of his starts this season. He struggled again in his last outing Friday against the Cubs when he allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings. Puk will now work on recovering from left shoulder fatigue, and the southpaw could return to the bullpen following his rehab stint if Braxton Garrett (shoulder) is back in the starting rotation.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Another rough outing

  Rotowire Apr 19, 2024

  Puk (0-4) took the loss Friday against the Cubs, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks over three innings. He struck out four. It was another short outing for the southpaw as Chicago scored three runs over the first two innings before putting up four more in the third. Puk's failed to pitch more than 4.2 innings in any of his starts so far and sports an ugly 9.22 ERA with a 2.63 WHIP while issuing a league-high 17 walks across 13.2 innings. With Braxton Garrett (shoulder) inching closer to a return, the Marlins could elect to move Puk back to the bullpen, where he had considerably more success last season.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Thursday's game postponed

  Rotowire Apr 18, 2024

  Puk and the Marlins won't play the Cubs on Thursday due to inclement weather, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The game will be made up via a doubleheader Saturday. Puk owns a 5.91 ERA and 2.44 WHIP through 10.2 innings this season, and his next start will likely be pushed back to Friday.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Cleared to start Thursday

  Rotowire Apr 17, 2024

  Puk (illness) will start Thursday's game against the Cubs, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Puk was originally slated to make his fourth start of the season in Monday's series opener, but he had to be pushed back a couple times because he was under the weather. He was feeling better Wednesday, however, and played catch at LoanDepot Park to clear up any lingering concern about his availability to make his next turn through the rotation. The left-hander has struggled in his first three outings this season, putting up a 5.91 ERA and 8:14 K:BB over 10.2 innings of work. He could be at risk of moving to the bullpen once the Marlins get Braxton Garrett (shoulder) back from the injured list.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Start pushed back to Wednesday

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Puk has been scratched from Monday's start against the Giants due to an illness and is now scheduled to start Wednesday versus the Giants, Christina De Nicola of MLB.com reports. Edward Cabrera (shoulder) will come off the 15-day injured list to start Monday in Puk's place. Puk has gotten off to a terrible start this season, allowing 10 runs (seven earned) while walking 14 over 10.2 innings.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Walks piling up

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  Puk (0-3) took the loss Tuesday against the Yankees, giving up two runs (one earned) on four hits and five walks over 4.2 innings as the Marlins were downed 3-2. He struck out two. It says something about how poorly the southpaw's transition to a starting role has gone that this was Puk's best outing so far this season. He's issued 14 free passes in only 10.2 innings over three starts, leading to a 5.91 ERA. However, with the Marlins still dealing with multiple injuries in their rotation, they have little choice but to continue the experiment a while longer. Puk lines up to make his next start at home early next week against the Giants.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Struggles again vs. Angels

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Puk (0-2) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks over four innings against the Angels. He struck out five. Puk's transition to a starting pitcher hasn't gone according to plan thus far -- the 28-year-old left-hander has allowed eight runs (six earned) through just six innings in his first two starts. While Puk has had success out of the bullpen in the majors, the Marlins seem set on having him remain in the rotation, at least while Braxton Garrett (shoulder), Edward Cabrera (shoulder) and Eury Perez (elbow) are sidelined. Puk's currently lined up for a tough road matchup versus the Yankees in his next outing.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Brilliant spring continues

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2024

  Puk struck out six over 3.1 scoreless innings in Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Nationals. He allowed five hits and a walk. The 28-year-old southpaw has yet to make a start during his big-league career, with all 142 of his appearances to date coming in relief, but Puk is making a very compelling case to begin the season in the Marlins' rotation. He's delivered a 15:4 K:BB through 8.1 spring innings with a 0.00 ERA, and his emergence makes it easier for the team to give Braxton Garrett (shoulder) the time he needs to get 100 percent healthy, rather than pushing him to be ready for Opening Day. If Puk carries his spring success into the regular season, he could be hard to dislodge from a starting role, but he also hasn't thrown more than 66.1 innings in a season since 2017, when he was working his way through the Oakland system.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Tracking toward rotation spot

  Rotowire Mar 5, 2024

  Puk is a "heavy favorite" to open the season in the Marlins' rotation with Braxton Garrett (shoulder) unavailable, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports. Puk has wowed early on this spring as he transitions from reliever to starter, firing five scoreless innings with a 9:3 K:BB. Garrett is healthy now but needs time to be built back up following some missed time with left shoulder soreness, so the Marlins need a fill-in likely for at least a couple starts. Puk hasn't started a game since 2021 or been a full-time starter since 2017, so staying healthy and effective over the long haul would be a difficult ask. However, he appears ready to be plugged into the rotation, at least on a short-term basis.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Settles with Miami at $1.8 million

  Rotowire Jan 11, 2024

  The Marlins and Puk avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $1.8 million contract Thursday, Craig Mish of the Miami Herald reports. It was Puk's first year of arbitration eligibility. The left-hander saved 15 games while posting a 3.97 ERA and 78:13 K:BB over 56.2 innings in 2023. The Marlins plan to send Puk to camp as a starter, but the odds of him returning to relief would appear high.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Earns playoff-clinching win

  Rotowire Oct 1, 2023

  Puk (7-5) earned the win Saturday against the Pirates, allowing one run on three hits over two innings while striking out three. He did not issue any walks. Puk entered the game in the bottom of the fourth and struck out two of the first four batters he faced to get through the inning. However, the lefty reliever got himself into trouble in the fifth after surrendering a leadoff double to Ke'Bryan Hayes to open the frame, which would lead to one run coming across for the Pirates. Fortunately for Puk, the Marlins' offense would come through with two runs in the bottom of the inning, helping him secure his seventh win of the season as Miami clinched only its fourth playoff berth in franchise history.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Locks down 16th save

  Rotowire Jul 29, 2023

  Puk picked up the save in Friday's 6-5 victory over the Tigers, allowing one run on two hits while striking out three over one inning. He didn't record a walk. Puk allowed two hits and a run before ultimately earning his 16th save by striking out the side in the ninth. The left-hander had secured just one of his last four save chances and had given up nine runs over his last seven outings (6.1 innings), so while Friday's performance wasn't perfect, it was still a step in the right direction. Despite the bounce-back night, Puk is likely out of the closer role moving forward, as Miami made a splash ahead of the trade deadline by acquiring veteran closer David Robertson from the Mets.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Blows another save

  Rotowire Jul 24, 2023

  Puk blew the save in Sunday's 3-2 win over the Rockies. He allowed one run on two hits and one walk while striking out two over two-thirds of an inning. Puk surrendered a game-tying solo homer to Randal Grichuk in the ninth inning, marking Puk's fifth blown save of 2023 and his third in his last four opportunities. Though manager Skip Schumaker said Friday that Puk would remain the Marlins' closer for the time being. Sunday's blown save could be enough for Schumaker to try out other options at closer. If that were to be the case, Tanner Scott would likely be the first in line for save opportunities considering his recent success and overall 2.81 ERA through 48 innings.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Serves up walk-off homer

  Rotowire Jul 19, 2023

  Puk (4-4) was charged with the loss Tuesday against the Cardinals after he gave up three runs (two earned) on one hit and one walk over two-thirds of an inning. The 28-year-old was called upon in the bottom of the 10th inning to maintain a 2-2 tie, but Nolan Arenado tagged him for a three-run homer to win it for St. Louis. It's the third time in Puk's past five outings that he's allowed multiple runs, including three long balls. The left-hander had a 2.08 ERA in his first 22 appearances with 10 saves in 11 chances during that stretch, but he's surrendered 11 runs while taking three losses and being charged with three blown saves in his last 10 appearances.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Nabs 15th save

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2023

  Puk picked up the save in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Phillies. He allowed one hit while striking out one over a scoreless inning. After recording back-to-back blown saves, Puk finally managed to put together a scoreless frame Saturday to secure his 15th save. Prior to the pair of missed opportunities, Puk had rattled off four straight scoreless appearances and had given up just one hit over that stretch. Through 29 innings this, Puk owns a 4.03 ERA and 36:4 K:BB with four blown saves in 19 chances.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Blows save and takes loss Friday

  Rotowire Jul 8, 2023

  Puk (4-3) blew the save and took the loss in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Phillies, allowing three runs on three hits over one inning. He struck out three and didn't record a walk. Puk entered with a 3-1 lead in the top of the ninth and allowed an RBI double to Alec Bohm and a go-ahead, two-run shot to Cristian Pache before ending the frame. The left-hander has blown back-to-back saves and is now 14-for-18 in save chances this season. He sports a less-than-ideal 4.18 ERA across 29 appearances but has an elite 35:4 K:BB over 28 innings. Despite his recent struggles, Puk still projects as Miami's top closing option.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Picks up 14th save

  Rotowire Jul 3, 2023

  Puk allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth inning Monday, striking out one batter and earning a save against the Cardinals. Puk coughed up a leadoff single but managed to close out the 5-4 victory. He's converted four straight save chances after coughing up three runs in a blown opportunity against the Pirates on June 23. Puk lowered his season ERA to 2.77 with 14 saves and a 29:4 K:BB.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Registers 13th save

  Rotowire Jun 30, 2023

  Puk earned a save against the Red Sox on Thursday, striking out two batters in one perfect inning. Puk was tasked with preserving a staff shutout with Miami holding a 2-0 lead heading into the bottom of the ninth inning. He had no trouble doing so, throwing 12 of 16 pitches for a strike and retiring the side in order. Since returning from a nearly month-long stint on the injured list June 7, Puk has gone 7-for-8 in save opportunities, allowing three earned runs over 10.1 innings while posting a 9:1 K:BB.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Nails down 12th save

  Rotowire Jun 29, 2023

  Puk recorded the final two outs of Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Red Sox to collect his 12th save of the season. Dylan Floro made things interesting in the ninth, giving up three straight singles with one out to put the potential tying run in the on-deck circle, but Puk needed only three pitches to squash the Boston rally by getting pinch-hitter Masataka Yoshida (forearm) to ground into a double play. Puk has given up earned runs in only one of 10 appearances since returning from the IL in early June, posting a 2.89 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 7:1 K:BB through 9.1 innings over that stretch while converting six of seven save chances. The 28-year-old southpaw remains entrenched as Miami's closer.

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• Marlins' A.J. Puk: Perfect inning for 11th save

  Rotowire Jun 26, 2023

  Puk picked up the save in Sunday's 2-0 victory over Pittsburgh. He pitched a perfect inning. Puk capped off the Marlins shutout by retiring the side in the ninth to recover after giving up three runs in a blown save last time out. Despite missing about a month with an elbow injury, Puk has picked up 11 saves in 24 games played and boasts a strong 26:4 K:BB on the year.

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