Kevin Ginkel Placed on 60-Day IL, Ending D-backs Season Early

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen just took another tough blow. Kevin Ginkel’s 2025 season ended this week because of a sprained right shoulder.

This latest setback piles onto the team’s pitching problems. Injuries, disappointing performances, and relentless workloads during high-stress games have all taken a toll.

Ginkel’s move to the 60-day injured list adds a fresh layer of uncertainty. Arizona now scrambles to fill the bullpen with options that, frankly, aren’t ideal.

Kevin Ginkel’s Unfortunate End to 2025

Ginkel’s year ended when the team shifted him from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL on Wednesday. He struggled with a sprained right shoulder that first sidelined him earlier in the week, retroactive to Sunday.

His 2025 numbers look rough: a 7.36 ERA and 1.64 WHIP across just 29 appearances. Injuries weren’t his only hurdle—he also spent time in Triple-A because of performance issues.

For a bullpen already in trouble, losing Ginkel creates another hole in the lineup. It’s not what the Diamondbacks needed with their postseason hopes flickering.

The Diamondbacks’ Bullpen in Turmoil

Arizona’s relief corps has been hammered by injuries. Key arms like A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez are already out for the year.

Ginkel’s setback makes things even messier. He was supposed to bring some stability, but now that’s out the window.

The team’s bullpen looked especially shaky in a brutal 10-5, 11-inning loss to the San Diego Padres. Relievers threw 117 pitches and gave up seven earned runs after Ryne Nelson left the game.

Fatigue and inconsistency have become constant obstacles. Arizona keeps fighting to stay relevant in a crowded National League West, but it’s not getting any easier.

Arizona’s Midseason Roster Moves

To patch up their battered bullpen, the Diamondbacks made some moves. Lefty Kyle Nelson got sent to the minors after a rough outing where he didn’t record an out and walked three batters.

In his place, they called up Casey Kelly. He’s a veteran right-hander who’s looking for a fresh start after spending several years overseas.

Who Is Casey Kelly?

Casey Kelly, 35, is back in MLB after five years pitching in the KBO League from 2019 to 2024. He returned to American baseball with the Cincinnati Reds in 2024 before signing a minor-league deal with Arizona.

In Triple-A Reno, Kelly’s stats weren’t pretty—he posted a 5.82 ERA and a 1.71 WHIP across 14 starts and 18 outings. Even so, he brings a level of experience the Diamondbacks hope can help during this tough stretch.

Honestly, Kelly’s addition feels like a move born out of necessity. He might not fix the bullpen’s problems overnight, but Arizona’s trying anything that might work.

Implications for the Diamondbacks

Ginkel’s injury is just another chapter in a season full of setbacks for Arizona. Injuries to key relievers and shaky performances have left the team searching for answers.

The bullpen’s struggles have already cost them important games. That puts even more pressure on the starters and hitters to pick up the slack.

What’s Next for Arizona?

With Ginkel done for 2025, the Diamondbacks have a steep climb ahead as the season winds down. Casey Kelly adds depth, but will his international experience translate to steady results in MLB? That’s anyone’s guess.

Arizona needs to be careful not to overwork their remaining relievers, or they’ll risk even more injuries. The coaching staff has their work cut out for them, trying to piece together a workable strategy with what’s left.

Final Thoughts

The Arizona Diamondbacks’ 2025 season has been shaped by adversity. Kevin Ginkel’s injury really highlights just how fragile their bullpen is right now.

The team keeps scrambling to fill gaps. There’s real doubt about whether they can hang on in a playoff race that’s only getting tougher.

Veterans like Casey Kelly are stepping in. The coaching staff’s under pressure to get creative and solve problems on the fly.

Diamondbacks fans just have to hope their team can bounce back from all these setbacks. It’s not easy to stay optimistic, but who knows—maybe they’ll surprise us yet.

 
Here is the source article for this story: D-backs’ Kevin Ginkel moved to 60-day IL to end season