Diamondbacks bring back former closer Paul Sewald

Field Level Media|published: Sat 14th February, 20:11 2026

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (38) throws to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ninth inning at Chase Field on Sept. 2, 2024, in Phoenix.

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed veteran right-hander Paul Sewald to a one-year, $1.5 million deal on Saturday.

Sewald, who turns 36 in May, was part of the Diamondbacks' 2023 squad that lost to the Texas Rangers in the World Series.

Sewald was acquired from the Seattle Mariners at the trade deadline in 2023 and recorded 13 saves in 20 appearances to help Arizona snag the sixth and final National League wild-card spot. He was 1-0 with six saves in eight scoreless innings over the first three rounds of the playoffs before giving up six runs in two innings in the World Series when the Diamondbacks lost to the Texas Rangers in five games.

Sewald had 16 saves while going 1-2 with a 4.31 ERA in 42 appearances for Arizona in 2024. He split last season with the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers and went 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA in 22 appearances.

Sewald first reached the majors with the New York Mets in 2017 and he lost his first 14 career decisions before getting his first win on Sept. 24, 2019. He spent four seasons with the Mets before joining the Mariners prior to the 2021 season.

He had had 52 saves with Seattle and had a career-best 34 saves in the 2023 campaign that he split with the Mariners (21 saves) and Arizona. Overall, Sewald is 21-26 with a 4.11 ERA and 86 saves in 381 career relief appearances over nine seasons.

Sewald was a 10th-round pick in 2012 out of the University of San Diego.

Arizona opened a 40-man roster spot by placing right-hander Justin Martinez (elbow) on the 60-day injured list. Martinez is 6-8 with 14 saves and a 3.77 ERA in 91 career relief appearances.

The Diamondbacks also announced that right-hander Merrill Kelly will be the Opening Day starter against the host Los Angeles Dodgers on March 26.

Kelly rejoined Arizona on a two-year, $40 million deal. The Diamondbacks traded him to the Rangers at the 2025 trading Deadline. He joined Arizona for his first run in 2019. Kelly has a 65-53 record and 3.77 ERA in 172 career starts.

--Field Level Media

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