"Once J.J. Putz returns from the disabled list, he will resume closing duties, Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said.

When Gibson was asked Friday night if it would be hard to take the closer's job from David Hernandez, he didn't provide much of an answer. That was because he didn't think much of the question, he said Saturday.

"Do I even have to answer that question?" Gibson said Saturday.

Hernandez has converted all five of his save opportunities since Putz went on the disabled list July 1. He has been more economical with his pitches and even throwing a little harder - his fastball touched 98 mph Friday night - since moving into the ninth-inning role.

That said, Putz is Gibson's guy. The veteran was signed to a two-year, $10 million deal in the offseason and converted each of his first 16 save opportunities in the season's first two months. He blew three save chances in June before landing on the DL.

"(Hernandez) has done a great job, but he also does a pretty good job in the eighth inning," Gibson said. "The good news is J.J. is getting better and his arm is going good. So on those days when J.J. is maybe not available, it gives us more depth at the position.""