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J.J. Putz News & Rumors

J.J. Putz a force on and off the field for Diamondbacks
September 22
Arizona Republic
 
"Confidence follows J.J. Putz's jog to the mound like the contrails of a plane engine. His arrival screams "reporting for duty, sir." Wednesday was no different. The Chase Field crowd of 25,296 was on its feet as he took his place with an 8-5 Diamondbacks lead over Pittsburgh. Alex Presley? Strikes out swinging. Xavier Paul? Strikes out swinging. Andrew McCutchen? Strikes out swinging. The Diamondbacks are on the cusp of a surprise return to the postseason, and Putz is a big reason. "On the field, off the field, he's like our cement," Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said. "He really brings everyone together. Coaches. Front office. Position players. Catchers. I've been on teams where"
Diamondbacks' J.J. Putz putting in extra work after injury
August 19
Arizona Republic
 
"Three weeks after his stint on the disabled list, closer J.J. Putz is feeling good, and he believes the work he's putting in with the training staff will pay dividends the rest of the season. It's already evident that his body is responding better now than it was before he missed three weeks with elbow tendinitis. Twice he's pitched three days in a row, something he did just once pre-DL time - and which played a part in irritating his elbow in the first place. He said he's putting in extra time with Ken Crenshaw and the rest of the Diamondbacks training staff. "Ken has had me on a pretty strict routine as far as (scapulas), shoulders, elbows and forearm," Putz said. "We've been sticking to"
Arizona Diamondbacks to keep J.J. Putz in closer role
July 10
Arizona Republic
 
"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"
Arizona Diamondbacks place J.J. Putz on disabled list
July 2
Arizona Republic
 
"Closer J.J. Putz was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow tendinitis, but Putz and General Manager Kevin Towers are hopeful he'll be ready to come off the disabled list immediately after the All-Star break. Putz, who said the elbow was aching after he worked three consecutive games last week against the Royals and Tigers, underwent tests that showed only swelling in the back of his elbow, Towers said. Towers said Putz was injected with cortisone, which would have sidelined him for at least five days, so the club placed him on the disabled list with the hope that he'll be ready to return when the All-Star break concludes July 15. "I think we realize," Towers said, "that we've"
Closer J.J. Putz key to Arizona Diamondbacks' confidence
May 23
Arizona Republic
 
"J.J. Putz is a key reason the Diamondbacks' confidence has been building in recent days. He closed down the Minnesota Twins on Sunday, getting his 12th consecutive save, helping the Diamondbacks win for the sixth consecutive time. "It's all about making good pitches, been able to get ahead, pretty much as a staff, too," he said. "This whole homestand with starting pitching, they set the tone for everything. They get us in position to score some runs and let the bullpen come in and finish things off." Asked if he could feel the confidence building, he said, "Can you? I know I can. I think everybody's playing really well. "We're doing little things, we're getting guys over, driving in runs"
Arizona Diamondbacks' J.J. Putz sidelined by stiff back
March 19
Arizona Republic
 
"No one seemed worried after closer J.J. Putz's rough outing earlier in the week, but there was at least some level of concern when the Diamondbacks' bullpen savior came down with a stiff back Friday afternoon. Manager Kirk Gibson cautioned that it could be minor, but Putz did not make his scheduled appearance because he couldn't get loose in the bullpen during the middle innings of Friday's game. "You're always concerned, but we don't know anything about it," Gibson said. "It may go away, it may just be a spasm. He's never had anything like that before. You certainly don't want your closer to go down.""
Arizona Diamondbacks finalize J.J. Putz's 2-year deal
December 8
Arizona Republic
 
"The last time the Diamondbacks had a legitimate bullpen, CEO Derrick Hall recalled, was in 2007, when Tony Pena to Brandon Lyon to Jose Valverde usually led to Game Over. "And we know the results from that year," he said. By finalizing a two-year deal with closer J.J. Putz on the second day of baseball's winter meetings, the Diamondbacks continued to shore up their beleaguered bullpen and believe they took another step toward a return to contention. Putz joins newcomers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio - the right-handers acquired in Monday's Mark Reynolds trade with Baltimore - and holdovers Juan Gutierrez and Sam Demel in what General Manager Kevin Towers believes could be a formidable"
Putz passes on arbitration
December 1
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Right-handed reliever J.J. Putz declined arbitration before the deadline Tuesday, but that doesn't mean he won't return to the White Sox if the team offers a deal that suits him and his family. According to one Sox source -- and to the surprise of almost no one -- first baseman Paul Konerko also declined arbitration and will push forward in free agency. Unless general manager Ken Williams happens to find about $60 million in the next few weeks -- the reported asking price of free agent Adam Dunn over the next four years -- the Sox can work out a deal for Konerko, become hostages of the trade market or let Dayan Viciedo have first crack at first base. The bullpen situation is just as"
Konerko and Putz pass on arbitration
December 1
Chicago Tribune
 
"The White Sox head into next week's annual winter meetings with the possibility of replacing three key components — Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski and J.J. Putz — from the roster that finished six games behind the Twins in the AL Central this season. Konerko and Putz declined the Sox's offer of arbitration Tuesday, making them free to sign elsewhere. Pierzynski already has been listening to other teams after the Sox declined to offer him arbitration. Of course, all three could return to the Sox, although the payroll could be limited to what they can be offered. All three could field multiyear offers from other teams, especially Putz in an always-thin reliever market. If the Sox ultimately"
Deadline decisions await Sox next week
November 25
Chicago Tribune
 
"Well after the Thanksgiving turkey has digested, the White Sox will have some important decisions to absorb. For starters, slugger Paul Konerko and reliever J.J. Putz must decide by Tuesday night whether to accept salary arbitration. If either player accepts the offer, he's considered a signed player. Konerko would get a raise from his $12 million salary if he accepts arbitration, but he said at the end of the 2010 season that several non-monetary factors also will determine where he plays in 2011. The Sox still need a left-handed middle-of-the-order hitter. Adam Dunn is the only impact free agent who fits this category, but the team that signs him would owe Washington a high pick because"
Arbitration offers for Sox' Konerko, Putz, but not Pierzynski
November 24
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Let the offseason posturing begin. The White Sox announced before Tuesday's 11 p.m. deadline that they offered salary arbitration to free agents Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz, but declined that same offer to catcher A.J. Pierzynski and designated hitter Manny Ramirez. What does it mean for the 2011 Opening Day roster? Well, actually nothing yet. All it means is that if Konerko or Putz sign elsewhere, the Sox are compensated with draft picks -- two for Konerko, one for Putz. It does show their hand a bit, however, with the team counting on Konerko and Putz drawing enough interest from other organizations on a multiyear deal. Neither player seemed real interested in working out a one-year"
Sox offer arbitration to Konerko and Putz
November 24
Chicago Tribune
 
"After apparently losing out on Victor Martinez, the White Sox took a step toward stabilizing the middle of their batting order Tuesday when the offered salary arbitration to slugger Paul Konerko as well as reliever J.J. Putz. But they didn't extend the same to A.J. Pierzynski and interest in the free agent catcher from other teams should accelerate now that a team won't owe the Sox a high draft pick it it signs him. The Sox still can negotiate with their free agents. With backup Ramon Castro already signed, the switch-hitting Martinez could have split his time between the plate, first base and designated hitter. El Nacional, a Venezuelan newspaper, reported Martinez has agreed to a"
Arizona interested in White Sox reliever Putz
November 22
Chicago Tribune
 
"The Arizona Diamondbacks are serious about retooling their bullpen over the temptation to pursue home state hero and White Sox free agent first baseman Paul Konerko. Multiple National League sources said the Diamondbacks have interest in Sox free agent reliever J.J. Putz. The Diamondbacks could have an advantage because Putz, who had a 2.83 ERA in 60 games and limited opponents to a .204 batting average last season, resides in the northwest suburb of Peoria. Putz also can close as well as set-up, and he said last season he isn't necessarily looking to close games."
Move to DL likely for Thornton, Putz
August 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Besides having fluid in his left elbow that led to a sore left arm, Matt Thornton also has been a sore subject around the South Side in the last week. Specifically, what to do with him? General manager Ken Williams has made it seem as though roster constraints, as well as a thumbs up from team doctors, were the main reason that another pitcher wasn't added to the mix during the marathon of three games in less than 22 hours over the weekend, while manager Ozzie Guillen has painted a much bleaker picture of Thornton's immediate future -- like one on the 15-day disabled list. After the victory Tuesday against the Baltimore Orioles, it sounded like Guillen's guess that his bullpen needed more"
Putz says knee should be fine
August 21
Chicago Tribune
 
"White Sox reliever J.J. Putz admitted he should have listened to manager Ozzie Guillen and not tried to pitch through the discomfort in his right knee that made him unavailable Friday night at Kansas City. "I probably should have listened to Ozzie and shouldn't have tried to pitch through it for another at-bat," said Putz, who walked off the field after walking the Twins' Michael Cuddyer in the eighth inning of the Sox's 11-0 victory Thursday. "But it's just not our nature (as relievers)." Putz also revealed that he had surgery on his right knee 11 years ago. "It's nothing I'm concerned about," said Putz, who said his knee felt fine Friday after playing catch. "It's just a scare."
Putz servers up homer to unlikely assassi
August 15
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"Injuries are part of baseball. For some teams, the biggest part. If the team is the Detroit Tigers, the equation fits, especially given where the then-healthy Tigers stood in the American League Central on July 11 -- in second place, a half-game behind the first-place White Sox. Theirs has been a precipitous fall since then as injuries mounted. And yet Sox manager Ozzie Guillen sounded a word of caution before the game Saturday. ''I was looking at their lineup, man to man, and that's a pretty good lineup,'' he said. ''They are still dangerous -- very, very dangerous. Right now, they are playing relaxed and loose. That's the worst thing about it. When you face a team like that, you really"
Sox's Putz eyes return to closer role in 2011
July 4
Chicago Tribune
 
"J.J. Putz's recent scoreless streak has coincided with the White Sox's resurgence. That turnaround has included Putz occasionally returning to the closer role and earning two saves in as many opportunities. It also has given him the itch to regain the role he held in Seattle, but he knows that won't happen on a full-time basis this season. "Whenever I do get the opportunity to (save games), I definitely cherish it because it is the best thing for a reliever to do," said Putz, who saved 76 games with the Mariners in 2006 and '07. "After this year, we'll see what happens. But I'm not too concerned with what's going to happen next year." Putz, 33, will be a free agent in the offseason. This"
Sox relievers picking up slack for Jenks
June 27
Chicago Tribune
 
"J.J. Putz and Matt Thornton picked up the slack Saturday night for closer Bobby Jenks, and manager Ozzie Guillen hinted that could continue if Jenks doesn't rejoin the White Sox on Sunday. Jenks has been excused to attend to a family matter, and Guillen emphasized that family comes first. But Guillen said Jenks could be placed on the bereavement list, which can last up to seven days, and the Sox could promote a player from the minor leagues. Putz earned the victory with a perfect eighth inning, and Thornton induced Alfonso Soriano to ground into a game-ending double play to earn his third save and his first since May 28 at Tampa Bay. Steady Freddy: Guillen used the word "amazing" to"
Sox reliever Putz almost all the way back
June 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"After 11 consecutive scoreless outings, there are no longer limitations on reliever J.J. Putz. Pitching coach Don Cooper believes Putz is ready to pitch on consecutive days and maybe pitch in three consecutive games if needed. "By us being smart from spring training on has gotten the desired results we were looking for, which is getting a guy who is a qualified, bona fide, dignified major league pitcher who has worked out, and we feel pretty good about," Cooper said Wednesday. Putz said he has been able to rebound quicker than in the past following his surgery nearly one year ago to repair a bone spur on his right pitching elbow. His fastball is back to the 95 mph range, and his"
Add Putz's name to list of Sox on trading block
May 25
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"The list is up to six ... and counting. Bobby Jenks, Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Buehrle, Andruw Jones -- and now J.J. Putz. He's the latest White Sox player to see his name pop up on the rumor mill. As far as the right-handed reliever was concerned Monday, if the Sox players want that to stop, they have the power to control it. ''Obviously, we know if we were eight games up we wouldn't be hearing these types of rumors about guys going anywhere,'' Putz said. ''Basically it's just rumors, so I don't know how much there really is to look into. I think more in the offseason rumors are the ones that have more momentum behind them.'' Not that some of these rumors with the Sox aren't"
Phillies scouting Jenks, Putz
May 24
ESPN.com
 
"The Philadelphia Phillies are among a couple of teams looking at the Chicago White Sox and trying to project which players will be available if the the White Sox don't get back into the American League Central race over the next few weeks. One top Philadelphia scout was looking at the White Sox this week, concentrating on closer Bobby Jenks. The Phillies' main concern is the back end of their bullpen where closer Brad Lidge has had numerous injury problems over the past couple of seasons. Jenks has had two of his best outings recently. "The last two outings he has thrown the ball very well," White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "The ball is coming out of Bobby's hand a lot better. I don't"
J.J. Putz struggles with fear factor
March 6
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"When you're joining a new team -- one counting on you as a key component of the bullpen -- there's enough to think about on the field and around you. But for J.J. Putz, there's something else to preoccupy his thoughts while fitting into his role as the White Sox' right-handed setup man. Surgery to remove bone spurs from his right elbow last summer limited him to 29 games in his only season with the New York Mets after almost six seasons with the Seattle Mariners. And though the spurs are gone and he is ostensibly healthy, the nagging worry about his elbow is something else to take care of this spring training. ''I'm probably overly cautious,'' he said Friday, even after throwing a fine"
Putz cautious, Guillen ready for Cubs
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
"J.J. Putz said he still has a long way to go. That's a good sign, since Putz still managed to strike out Andre Ethier and James Loney in his first appearance for the White Sox since undergoing surgery last summer to remove bone chips from his right elbow. Putz admitted after the Sox's 8-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers that he is being overly cautious. "Any time I get a little sore, I kind of exaggerate in my head what it is," Putz said. "That's probably going to be the hardest part getting back from having surgery. But so far everything is working in the right direction." Manager Ozzie Guillen said he didn't know that Putz, a power pitcher, threw a split-finger fastball. Putz used that"
Putz fine in first appearance
March 6
Chicago Tribune
 
".J. Putz downplayed striking out Andre Ethier and James Loney in his first outing since undergoing off-season right elbow surgery last summer. "We have a long way to go still," Putz said Friday after throwing a scoreless inning in the White Sox's 8-3 loss to the Dodgers. "I just have to keep building arm strength." Putz admitted he was probably overcautious. "Any time I get a little sore or something, I kind of over exaggerate in my head what it is," he said. "That's probably going to be the hardest part getting back from surgery. But so far everything's working in the right direction." Manager Ozzie Guillen echoed Putz's feelings, adding he was impressed he didn't know Putz, a power"
J.J. Putz puts past elbow woes behind him
March 5
Chicago Tribune
 columnist David Haugh
"To say new White Sox reliever J.J. Putz took a long, winding road on his way to Chicago is more than a metaphor. Putz and Sox lefty Matt Thornton, friends since their days in the Mariners minor league system, enjoy spending offseason days together off-road where they ride side-by-side utility vehicles along the trails behind their Peoria, Ariz., homes. For hours at a time, the late-inning relievers bond by navigating up mountains and down valleys, taking the kind of wild ride that has nothing to do with walking the bases loaded. "We're all-enclosed and in harnesses so it's safe and relaxing for us,'' said Thornton, a big reason Putz signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Sox. "It's"
Former New York Met Putz pitcher blames team for arm woes, poor treatment
February 2
New York Daily News
 
"Just like their players, the Mets are taking longer than expected to recover from last year's problems diagnosing and treating injuries. On the heels of the recent controversial Carlos Beltran knee surgery, J.J. Putz is now publicly questioning the way the Mets handled his elbow injury. And that wasn't just when he had pain during the season. Even though Putz had a bone spur in his elbow discovered by Mariners doctors during the 2008 season, the reliever told Comcast Chicago that he wasn't given a physical examination when the Mets acquired him in an 11-player deal in December 2008. "It was a mess from the beginning," Putz said. "When the trade went down, I never really had a physical with"
Putz has mind on October
December 17
Chicago Sun-Times
 
"At some point in his career, J.J. Putz would like to have that rush of nailing down the final three outs of a ballgame again. For now, though, the right-hander is willing to put the closer role on hold if it means taking champagne showers in October. And the way Putz was talking Wednesday, he thinks he's on the team to do just that. ''I definitely put it in one of the elite teams in the American League,'' Putz said when asked about his decision to sign a one-year, $3 million deal with the White Sox on Friday. ''They seem to have pretty much everything you're looking for -- great starting pitcher, power in the back end of the bullpen. They definitely have some power in the lineup, and I"
Chicago White Sox's J.J. Putz on schedule for spring training
December 17
Chicago Tribune
 
"Having saved 76 games in two seasons in Seattle and rehabbing from elbow surgery, J.J. Putz probably could have signed on as closer for several teams. Instead, he chose the White Sox, who already have one of the American League's best saves men in Bobby Jenks. Putz signed with the Sox last week for $3 million, plus another $3 million in incentives based on games finished, although he would reach those, presumably, only if Jenks is injured or traded. "Anybody who has closed before really cherishes (that role)," Putz said in a conference call Wednesday. "It is, in my opinion, the best job in baseball, so obviously at some point I would like to be closer again, but given (the surgery) this"
J.J. Putz signs with the White Sox; Tigers miss out
December 12
Detroit Free Press
 
"Right-hander J.J. Putz (Michigan) was such a dominant closer a few years ago that AL manager Jim Leyland put him on the mound to guard the lead in the ninth inning of the 2007 All-Star Game. This past season, Trenton native had his first Mets season interrupted by surgery to remove a bone spur from his pitching elbow. He didn't pitch after early June. Due at least in part to that elbow injury, Putz won't be coming home to Michigan to close games for Tigers manager Leyland next season. He signed a one-year, $3-million deal today with the rival White Sox. Putz will serve as one of the setup men for closer Bobby Jenks. Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski, whose team doesn't have a"
Myers, Putz may be on Astros' radar
December 3
MLB.com
 
"Brett Myers and J.J. Putz, two pitchers who had their 2009 seasons cut short because of injuries, are among the players the Astros have interest in adding to their bullpen, according to reports by ESPN.com. Astros general manager Ed Wade said Wednesday the club has reached out to dozens of free agents as part of its preparations for next week's Winter Meetings in Indianapolis. "We've made contact with agents for about every player out there as a matter of course," Wade said. "I would not read anymore into it than that. If there's an opportunity for us to do something from a pitching standpoint, it behooves us to make contact. That's all that's taken place." Craig Landis, the agent for"
Agent: Putz would consider set-up role
November 10
Foxsports.com
 
"Teams in search of late-inning relief help will not lack for options. Right-hander J.J. Putz, a free agent, is one intriguing possibility. The Mets, as expected, declined Putz's $9.1 million option; Putz did not pitch after June 4 due to an elbow problem that required surgery. But Putz, the Mariners' former closer, is again healthy and throwing. Under the right circumstances, he would be willing to accept a setup role, according to his agent, Craig Landis. "He has a preference to be a closer, but absolutely will not rule out an eighth-inning job depending upon many factors," Landis said. "Money obviously will be one. Location, how good the team is, the coaching staff. If everything else"
Agent: Mets likely to opt out on Putz
November 6
New York Post
 
"The Mets have told reliever J.J. Putz that they are likely to decline his $8.6 million option for 2010 and buy him out for $1 million instead, his agent said yesterday. The club cited health concerns in making the long-expected move, pointing to elbow surgery and forearm problems that caused the former All-Star closer to miss the entire second half of his debut season with the Mets. Putz's agent, Craig Landis, told The Post that the right-hander understood the decision and hasn't ruled out returning to the Mets under an incentive-laden deal once free agency begins Nov. 20. Landis said Putz feels healthy and expects to be ready for the start of spring training. If Putz doesn't return, the"
Mets to decline Putz's option
November 5
New York Post
 
"The Mets have told reliever J.J. Putz that they plan to decline his $8.6 million option for 2010 and buy him out for $1 million instead. The club cited health concerns in making the long-expected move, pointing to elbow surgery and forearm problems that caused the former All-Star closer to miss the entire second half of his debut season with the Mets. Putz's agent, Craig Landis , said Putz understood the likely decision and hasn't ruled out returning to the Mets with a cheaper, incentive-laden deal once free agency begins Nov. 20. Landis said Putz feels healthy and expects to be ready for the start of spring training. If Putz doesn't return, the Mets will have little to show for the"
NY Mets reliever J.J. Putz has new elbow injury and will miss rest of season
August 26
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Add J.J. Putz to the list of Mets players done for the season. Putz has been shut down indefinitely and will not return this year after an MRI on Tuesday found that he has some new fraying and a slightly torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. Putz had surgery on the elbow in June to remove a bone spur and fragments of bone and was slated to make his first rehab appearance Tuesday for Class-A Brooklyn. But he was scratched from that appearance after complaining of soreness in his right forearm, the team said in a statement. Putz was examined by team medical director David Altchek late Tuesday afternoon at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan. The Mets said Putz will not"
Mets' Putz will be out at least two months after surgery
June 5
Bergen Record
 
"Mets relief pitcher J.J. Putz is expected to be out 8 to 10 weeks following surgery to remove a bone spur in his pitching elbow. Several baseball sources say Putz will undergo surgery on Tuesday. The surgery will be performed by Dr. David Altchek, the Mets' medical director. The 32-year-old righthander, acquired in an offseason trade with Seattle, told reporters that his elbow "hurt like hell" following through on his pitches in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. Putz had lost velocity and the ability to throw his split-fingered fastball due to the bone spur. He is 1-4 with a 5.22 earned run average in 29 games."
Putrid Putz May Need Surgery On Right Elbow
June 5
New York Post
 
"Just call them the Ailin's. The path to the disabled list is starting to look like a painful conga line for the Mets, who in just a few hours yesterday learned they could lose shortstop Jose Reyes until the All-Star break and reliever J.J. Putz -- who turned in a horrendous inning in yesterday's 11-6 loss to the Pirates -- for two months or more. The bigger blow obviously is Reyes, who is in line to miss 4-to-6 weeks after discovering he has a torn right hamstring. The Mets in a statement last night described the tear as a new injury and not related to the tendinitis in his right calf and knee that has sidelined Reyes for most of the past three weeks. An MRI exam -- Reyes' third in less"
Shot Putz May Lose Set-Up Role
June 3
New York Post
 
"J.J. Putz appears on the verge of losing his eighth-inning role after Monday night's implosion. Jerry Manuel said he plans to talk to the struggling reliever today to let Putz know "what direction we might be heading with this particular situation." Asked if that meant he was planning to give Putz's set-up role to Bobby Parnell, Pedro Feliciano or a combination of those two, Manuel smiled. "I'm going to have that conversation [today]," he said. "If I tell you now, then that'll get me in trouble." Taking the set-up job away from Putz, even on a temporary basis, hardly would qualify as a surprise in light of the former All-Star closer's recent woes and tough adjustment to a lesser role with"
J.J. Putz's Meltdown Dooms Mets
June 2
New York Post
 
"J.J. Putz's inexplicable meltdown continued last night, and this time it cost the Mets a game. Jerry Manuel gave the veteran reliever another chance just one day after his eighth-inning disaster at Citi Field, and Putz made the manager regret it by handing the lowly Pirates an 8-5 comeback victory here. Putz, who held a pregame bullpen session at PNC Park with pitching coach Dan Warthen in the hope of solving his recent woes, got his command back, but couldn't get anyone out in Pittsburgh's decisive five-run eighth. "He threw strikes, which was good, but you've got to get the ball down," Manuel said. "Obviously, he's struggling right now." The big right-hander was more like a punching bag,"
Delgado's Season In Jeopardy; Putz Ailing, Too
May 15
New York Post
 
"This doesn't sound good at all. The Mets announced yesterday that they will play two men short for at least another day and could end up playing the rest of the season without first baseman Carlos Delgado. General manager Omar Minaya delivered this double whammy on the injury front: Delgado has a multitude of potentially career-ending problems in his ailing right hip, and set-up man J.J. Putz has developed a bone spur in his pitching elbow. It doesn't look promising, but the Mets now plan to wait until Sunday before making a decision on Delgado and what seems to be an inevitable trip to the disabled list -- and possibly could lead to the end of the 36-year-old's career. Minaya said team"
J.J. Putz to sit with elbow injury, no decision yet on Carlos Delgado
May 15
New York Daily News
 
"J.J. Putz is joining Carlos Delgado on the shelf, at least for a few games. Putz had an MRI on Wednesday that revealed inflammation in the back of the elbow, which has caused a bone spur, Mets GM Omar Minaya said. The reliever took a shot of anti-inflammatory medication, which will cause him to sit for two days at least. Putz has joined the team in San Francisco after being seen by team doctor David Altchek. "He's had this spur before, and guys sometimes play with it," Minaya said. Minaya reiterated that Delgado has an impingement of the right hip, which created a slight tear. Has also has a bone spur in the hip. Minaya said he will wait through the weekend and see how a new therapy works"
J.J. Putz blows lead in eighth inning, New York Mets lose 4-3 to Florida Marlins
April 29
Newark Star-Ledger
 
"Once again, a pitcher walked off the mound to the sound of boos at Citi Field. For much of the past month, that reception has been reserved for the Mets' starting pitcher. But with Johan Santana starting Wednesday, that wasn't going to happen. So J.J. Putz filled the void. With the Mets leading by a run, Putz gave up two in the eighth inning, allowing the Florida Marlins to rally for a 4-3 victory. It was the second time in less than 24 hours that the Mets' bullpen faltered, raising concern about what had been one of the team's biggest strengths. After walking two batters, Putz gave up a two-run single to Cody Ross. And the first-place Marlins (13-8) held on to take two out of three in the"
With Francisco Rodriguez and J.J. Putz, Omar Minaya delivers revamped bullpen for Mets
April 8
New York Daily News
 
"Omar Minaya knew it would be difficult to bring Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis back to New York in 2009, given the likely fan response the first time they imploded. The GM, however, did not expect a complete bullpen overhaul, in which aside from Pedro Feliciano, the entire relief corps had thrown just 38-1/3 innings in a Mets uniform entering Opening Day. The Mets ranked second in blown saves in 2008 with 29, trailing only the Cardinals, who had 31, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Still, Minaya said, he never planned to trade sidearmer Joe Smith during the winter. Nor did the GM arrive at spring training thinking Duaner Sanchez wouldn't be part of the '09 bullpen. But Smith"
J.J. Putz happy to be with Mets despite new roll
February 17
New York Daily News
 columnist Bill Madden
"At 6-5, 250 pounds, J.J. Putz is an imposing fellow who saved 91 games for the Seattle Mariners over the past three seasons as one of the premier closers in baseball. He is also signed to one of the more reasonable contracts (through 2010) for a pitcher of his accomplishments. But over the winter, Putz was traded to the Mets, for whom he will not close, thus raising the first question he is asked by just about everyone who encounters him in the Tradition Field clubhouse. "What are you doing here?" "I don't have an answer for that," Putz says. "The jury is still out. I don't even know the guy who traded me." That would be Jack Zduriencik, who was named general manager of the Mariners"
Putz says Mariners clubhouse was divided, that there were some players who weren't "team guys"
February 16
Seattle Times
 columnist Larry Stone
"Loosening up a clubhouse is a role that J.J. Putz takes seriously - and he has the whipped-cream pies to prove it. Putz, however, sees a markedly different attitude with the Mets than on the downtrodden Mariners team he left behind. Putz, in fact, painted a grim picture of a house divided last year in Seattle, contributing to the historic flameout that ensued. Putz has had nearly two weeks to soak up the Mets' atmosphere, having showed up in Port St. Lucie in early February to work out at the team facility and get acclimated. "It's different. Big time," he said Sunday. "It's almost like there's a more relaxed feeling. They just know they're going to win. Where in Seattle, a lot of times,"
Putz Eager To Shine In New Role With Mets
February 12
New York Post
 
"Pitchers and catchers don't officially report to the Mets' camp until tomorrow, but setup man J.J. Putz has been here throwing for almost two weeks. That's how eager and excited the big right-hander is to settle in with his new team and put the turmoil of last season with the Mariners behind him. "The season can't come soon enough," Putz said yesterday after a workout here. "This is probably the worst part of the offseason - the week leading up to spring training. You're so anxious to get going. It seems like it drags on until that first day." Putz has even more of a reason to anticipate his first season with the Amazin's after enduring what he described as the "nightmare" in Seattle last"
Putz Satisfied With Amazin' New Role
December 19
New York Post
 
"A shutdown closer for much of his career in Seattle, J.J. Putz did his best to shut down any potential controversy yesterday. In his first comments since the Mets acquired him in a three-team, 12-player deal last week, Putz proclaimed himself satisfied with serving as the eighth-inning set up man to Francisco Rodriguez. "The bottom line: I just want to win," Putz said during a news conference at Citi Field. "I hadn't had a chance to really do that in Seattle." Putz's mindset has been a question mark since the blockbuster deal that brought him from the Mariners just hours after the Mets' three-year, $37 million signing of K-Rod - like Putz, a dominant, All-Star closer out of the AL West."
Guardado: N.Y.'s going to love Putz
December 14
New York Post
 
"Eddie Guardado changed J.J. Putz's splitter grip a few springs ago when they were teammates in Seattle, and Guardado says Putz really emerged after that. According to Guardado, Putz's success was inevitable. "J.J. was bound to happen," Guardado told The Post yesterday in a phone interview about the Mets' flamethrowing new set-up man. "He was a good kid and had a good head on his shoulders and he was willing to learn and take advice from the veteran players, and that's what he did." The Mets acquired Putz on Wednesday night at the Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound power righty will set up Francisco Rodriguez at the back end of the Mets' now-impressive pen. Guardado, who"
Mets add Seattle's J.J. Putz, two others; K-Rod gets physical in NYC
December 11
New York Daily News
 
"Obtaining one closer apparently isn't enough for the Mets. On the day Francisco Rodriguez passed his physical, GM Omar Minaya swung a deal for Mariners reliever J.J. Putz in a three-team deal involving Cleveland, sources told the Daily News. The Mets are sending Aaron Heilman and Double-A first baseman Mike Carp to the Mariners and Joe Smith to the Indians, who will send right fielder Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle. The Mets are also getting Seattle reliever Sean Green and outfielder Jeremy Reed in the deal. Putz is a high-priced setup man, since he's owed $5 million in '09 and has a team option for 2010 at $8.6 million with a $1 million buyout. The 31-year-old righthander went 6-5 with a"
Mets Add a Setup Man, the Mariners' Putz
December 11
New York Times
 
"The Mets officially welcomed their new closer, Francisco Rodríguez, on Wednesday, giving him a team jacket and parading him around Citi Field. Accomplishing his primary off-season objective excited General Manager Omar Minaya, whose promised remodeling of his pitching staff is coming quickly and in reverse order. On Wednesday night, Minaya completed a three-team, 12-player trade with Seattle and Cleveland that netted Mariners closer J. J. Putz. The right-handed Putz, who will be 32 in February, will set up Rodríguez to form one of the most imposing late-inning combinations in baseball. "All I kept hearing on the streets of New York when I go get bagels in the morning, 'Omar, address the"