D-backs’ Andrew Saalfrank Out for 2026 After Shoulder Surgery

This article digs into the Arizona Diamondbacks’ bullpen troubles after lefty Andrew Saalfrank underwent shoulder surgery. He’s out for the 2026 season, and that’s a blow.

Let’s look at what this means for Arizona’s late-inning plans. Saalfrank’s brief, impressive run may have raised hopes a bit too high, and now the team faces a real gap.

How will the club patch things up? Maybe internal call-ups, maybe free agents, maybe a trade. There’s also Saalfrank’s past betting ban, which adds another layer to his story.

Impact on the Diamondbacks’ bullpen in 2026

Saalfrank’s absence wipes out a trusted arm for high-leverage spots. He stepped up late last season after injuries to Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, and quickly became a key part of the bullpen—even if his long-term fit was still up in the air.

Now he’ll miss all of 2026. The D-backs have a thinner late-inning group and more pressure to get Martinez and Puk healthy, or else find help from outside the organization.

Saalfrank’s 2025 numbers turned heads, but let’s be honest, it was a small sample. He threw 29 big-league innings with a 1.24 ERA, but the underlying stats make you pause before buying in completely.

Arizona will need someone else to step up. Velocity, control, and ground-ball skills will matter even more over a full season.

Key numbers from Saalfrank’s 2025 season

Here’s what defined Saalfrank’s brief breakout—and what scouts will be tracking as Arizona rebuilds its bullpen for 2026.

• 29 innings pitched, 1.24 ERA
• BABIP at .217, 87% left-on-base rate
• Strikeout rate: 16.8%; swinging-strike rate: 12.2%
• Walk rate: 8.8%; grounders at 44.7%
• Pitch mix: sinker around 89 mph, curve around 80 mph
• Career: three seasons, 40 1/3 innings, 1.79 ERA, strikeout and walk rates at 15.4% and 11.1%
• Role: middle-relief option, used in big spots after Martinez and Puk got hurt

What the D-backs might do next

With Saalfrank gone, Arizona has to look at what’s already in the system versus what’s available elsewhere. Should they trust their own guys, call up some minor leaguers, or look outside for experienced arms?

Getting Martinez and Puk healthy matters more than ever. If they can pitch, maybe the team won’t need to scramble for outside help.

Possible routes to bolster depth

Here are some ways Arizona could try to steady the bullpen in 2026:

• Promote internal relievers who’ve shown promise in the minors
• Sign or trade for a veteran late-inning arm with a solid breaking ball and ground-ball skills
• Add versatile relievers who can handle multiple innings and step up when Martinez or Puk aren’t available
• Keep a close eye on Martinez and Puk’s health, and use them strategically as they get closer to being full-time options

A quick note on Saalfrank’s off-field history

The betting ban and its context

The article points out that Saalfrank got a yearlong ban from June 2024 to June 2025 for betting on games as a prospect. He wagered $445, but none of it was on D-backs contests.

This ban doesn’t define his on-field talent, but it definitely shapes the story around his development. There’s no way fans and analysts won’t keep an eye on how his absence and this chapter affect team culture and accountability.

It’s hard not to wonder if the organization will change how it evaluates pitchers with some controversy in their backgrounds. That sort of thing lingers, even if people don’t say it out loud.

Arizona’s 2026 bullpen plans will depend a lot on how quickly the club can fill Saalfrank’s role. There’s also the question of whether Martinez and Puk bounce back and what free agency or trades might offer.

With an injury-shortened season, a strong track record in high-leverage spots, and a disciplinary hurdle in the mix, the D-backs’ relief corps faces a pivotal off-season. It feels like there are more questions than answers right now.

 
Here is the source article for this story: D-backs’ Andrew Saalfrank To Miss 2026 Season