This shouldn’t come as a big surprise, but Diamondbacks general manager Kevin Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic yesterday that the club will almost certainly exercise the $6.5 million club option on J.J. Putz’s contract for next season.
Putz has proved to be an excellent bargain during his two-year, $10 million contract with Arizona, posting a 2.43 ERA and 112/21 K/BB ratio while going 73-for-80 in save chances. The 35-year-old right-hander got off to a bit of a slow start this season, but he hasn’t allowed a run in 24 appearances dating back to mid-June.
Putz struggled through elbow issues in 2008 and 2009, but he’s currently on pace to make over 50 appearances for the third straight season. He made at least 54 appearances in four straight seasons from 2004-2007.
