J.J. Putz News: Pro Sports Daily

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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"

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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 ..."

Mariners trade J.J. Putz, receive 7 players in return

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December 11

Seattle Times

"Mariners closer J.J. Putz has been traded to the New York Mets as part of a three-team, 12-player package. The deal between the Mariners, Mets and Cleveland Indians would net the Mariners outfielder Franklin Gutierrez from Cleveland as the key piece of the trade. Seattle would also get outfielder Endy Chavez, pitcher Aaron Heilman and Class AA first baseman Mike Carp from the Mets. Mariners outfielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green are both headed to the Mets, along with Putz, as part of the deal. Seattle will also obtain three minor leaguers from New York: right handed pitcher Maikel Cleto, outfielder Ezequiel Carrera and left handed pitcher Jason Vargas. An announcement of the ..."

Tigers interested in John Smoltz

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December 10

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers are engaged in trade talks with the Seattle Mariners aimed at bringing Trenton native J.J. Putz to Detroit. But he is not the only Michigan-raised right-hander who could be in the team's 2009 plans. The Tigers are among the clubs that have requested medical information on free agent John Smoltz, a gesture certain to stir emotion among fans across the state who remember ruefully the native son's departure in a 1987 trade with the Atlanta Braves. Smoltz, 41, appeared in only six games with the Braves this year before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery. But he has resolved to pitch again next year and threw "very well" in a workout Friday, according to his agent, Keith ..."

Shields or a Putz: Who will replace K-Rod?

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December 10

Orange County Register

"For A Few Dollars More. That was one of my favorite Clint Eastwood films in the late '60s. It also turns out that was pretty much how Francisco Rodriguez left the Angels for the New York Mets. So what in the name of Sergio Leone are the Angels going to do for a closer in 2009? Pressure? The guy Manager Mike Scioscia hands the ball to with the slim lead and the game on line will only be replacing K-Rod, who set a major league record with 62 saves last season in 69 opportunities. Not everybody was a K-Rod fan. His saves usually came in one of three categories -- The Good, The Bad and The Ugly -- but he converted enough of the first and the last to help the Angels win a lot of games. The ..."

As rumors swirl, Putz awaits fate - Morrow, too

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December 10

Tacoma News Tribune

"For the last day-and-a-half, J.J. Putz's phone has been ringing pretty steadily. First it was his friends back in his native Michigan telling him about all the rumors circulating about a possible return to his home state in a trade with the Detroit Tigers, now its sportswriters asking him about his thoughts on those rumors."They keep calling me and telling me they heard this rumor or that rumor about me being traded," Putz, from his home in Phoenix, said of his friends. But other than that, he is staying away from scanning the internet for more information. Why drive himself crazy with speculation?"Really, it's out of my control," Putz said.Instead, Putz will continue to work out in Peoria ..."

As other closers picked off, potential deal for J.J. Putz gains momentum

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December 10

Detroit Free Press

"Kerry Wood is out of play, and the Tigers' interest in acquiring closer J.J. Putz from Seattle appears stronger than ever. As of Monday night, Detroit's preferred options for an upgrade at the closer spot were Putz, a Michigan native, and Wood, a free agent. Now, Wood is nearing a two-year contract worth around $20 million with Cleveland. "I think they've got a deal done," Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Tuesday. As of early this morning, the same could not be said for the Tigers and Mariners, although the clubs are engaged in ongoing discussions regarding Putz. Seattle officials believe they will be able to obtain a multiplayer package for the 31-year-old. They ..."

Detroit shows interest in trading for closer J.J. Putz

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December 9

Seattle Times

"It didn't take long for the name J.J. Putz to echo throughout the corridors at the baseball winter meetings. Putz is getting plenty of attention in the hallways of the Bellagio Hotel and on Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik's cellphone. The Detroit Tigers are said to be preparing to make a push for the Mariners closer as they try to shore up a porous bullpen. Zduriencik, who just signed former Tigers prospect Chris Shelton to a minor-league deal that will see him get a shot at playing first base in spring training, said he's open to any proposals. "Sure, there have been inquiries about J.J.," Zduriencik said on Monday, as the first day of the annual meetings drew to a close. "Yes ..."

M's dig Bedard, for starters, but aren't sure about the end

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December 9

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Erik Bedard -- here to stay. J.J. Putz -- here for now, probably to stay. Brandon Morrow -- in the rotation, at least for now. That's the way things are shaping up for the Mariners after the first full day of the winter meetings in the Bellagio hotel and casino. Bedard flew into Las Vegas on Sunday, had lunch with new manager Don Wakamatsu and met with the man who surgically repaired his shoulder in September, Dr. Lewis Yocum, and then left Monday. As Bedard was flying home, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik confidently predicted the left-hander, acquired in a five-player deal with the Baltimore Orioles in February, would be part of the rotation next season. Zduriencik couldn't make ..."

Trade could come for closer J.J. Putz or signing Kerry Wood

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December 9

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers addressed two of their biggest off-season needs Monday, and they did so at bargain prices. They traded for catcher Gerald Laird, who will earn roughly $3 million next season, and agreed to a one-year, $1-million contract with shortstop Adam Everett. That thrifty approach with the everyday lineup could result in bigger spending on the bullpen. The Tigers are known to have interest in signing free agent Kerry Wood or trading for Seattle Mariners closer J.J. Putz, the Trenton native and former University of Michigan right-hander. The New York Post reported this morning that the Mets are close to signing Francisco Rodriguez, who many believe will receive the richest contract of any ..."

Tigers target Putz, Wood for closer vacancy

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December 8

Detroit Free Press

"Now that the Tigers have acquired catcher Gerald Laird from Texas, they will be able to focus attention on perhaps their biggest off-season need: a closer. The team has shown interest in free agent Kerry Wood in recent days and had preliminary trade discussions with the Seattle Mariners about J.J. Putz. Both right-handers have been targeted by the New York Mets, so Detroit officials may need to move quickly in order to have their pick. Putz, 31, would certainly make for a compelling storyline if he were to become the Tigers' closer: He grew up in Trenton and pitched at the University of Michigan. More importantly, he's also shown the ability to be dominant in the late innings. Putz might ..."

Putz starting to feel like old self

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September 19

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"J.J. Putz's season has been unforgettable in ways Nat King Cole never thought of. The Mariners closer came into Thursday with a 6-4 record, a 3.83 ERA and 13 saves in 21 tries spread over two stints on the disabled list that left him a fraction of the 40-save pitcher he was a year ago. Only in the past six weeks has Putz begun to feel like his old self. Tuesday, he worked the eighth inning against Kansas City only because the Mariners hadn't been close enough in the previous week to get him a save opportunity. He faced three batters, easily hit the mid-90s with his fastball and got two strikeouts. Watching his fastball was a little like using a time machine to go back to the 2007 season, ..."

What's in a name?

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August 5

Baltimore Sun

columnist Peter Schmuck

"Seldom does a Seattle series go by that I don't get several e-mails or personal entreaties to interview reliever J.J. Putz. And, of course, this is understandable because of the similar ridiculousness of our respective surnames. Some of you probably remember that I did just that a couple of years ago for a column in The Sun. I approached J.J. in the Mariners clubhouse and introduced myself and expected some kind of reaction when he heard my last name, but he just stared at me as if I had just surfed back from Gilligan's Island. No problem. I explained to him that because I was a semi-respected journalist with a very silly name and he was an up-and-coming baseball star with a silly name, we ..."

Putz zeroes in on the closer's role

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August 4

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"J.J. Putz is starting to feel like his old self again, which means Brandon Morrow could soon be heading for Triple-A Tacoma. That sounds like bad news for Morrow, but it's actually just the opposite. Putz had his best outing in months Sunday at Safeco Field, pitching 1 1/3 scoreless innings in the Mariners' 8-4 victory over Baltimore. He gave way to Morrow for the ninth, but soon Putz will be back in the saddle as closer. That will free Morrow, who has been filling in ably as closer, to begin working toward becoming a starter, something he and the Mariners have wanted for a long time. "They want Brandon to start, and they are waiting for me to get going," Putz said. "Today was a real good ..."

J.J. Putz returns to mound with solid outing for Mariners

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July 21

Seattle Times

"It wasn't so much the outs J.J. Putz got Sunday, but how he got them that had the past-and-maybe-future Mariners closer so upbeat afterward. Putz retired Cleveland on 13 pitches in the seventh inning of the Mariners' 6-2 loss Sunday at Safeco Field, marking a successful return to the mound. He had been sidelined since June 11 with a hyperextended right elbow. "I feel really good about it," he said of his performance. Especially the fact that when he wanted to throw a pitch somewhere, it went where he wanted."

Putz could be activated by today

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July 20

Seattle Times

"J.J. Putz was one of the first Mariners on the field Saturday morning, but he wasn't taking the field for the Mariners. At least not yet, but that could change today. Manager Jim Riggleman said Putz may be activated from the disabled list, where he has been since June 12 with a hyperextended right elbow. "I'd say there's a good chance we'll activate him," Riggleman said after Saturday's 9-6 loss to Cleveland. Putz pitched a scoreless 1-2/3 innings in Tacoma on Friday night and was at Safeco Field on Saturday morning playing catch in the outfield before his team took the field for batting practice. Riggleman said Putz will either pitch one more game for Tacoma today or he will be ..."

Tacoma just fine for Putz

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July 19

Tacoma News Tribune

"There was no AC/DC blaring over the loudspeakers or fancy entrance montage on the big screen for J.J. Putz on Friday night. This was, after all, Cheney Stadium and not Safeco Field. And Putz wasn’t entering the game as a closer for the Seattle Mariners in the ninth inning to hold a lead, he was starting the game for the Tacoma Rainiers, with a 25-pitch limit, in what he hoped would be his last rehab stint before returning to the Mariners. Putz went about his work with precision. With Mariners executives Bob Fontaine and Dave Wallace looking on, Putz cruised through 1 2/3 innings of hitless pitching against the Tucson Sidewinders and looked ready to return to the Seattle bullpen."

Putz set to return after All-Star break

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July 9

Seattle Post-Intelligencer

"Seattle had the hottest closer in baseball last year in J.J. Putz -- 6-1, 1.38 ERA and 40 saves in 42 chances. The Mariners have the hottest closer in baseball in recent weeks in Brandon Morrow -- 1-1, 0.65 and seven saves in seven opportunities. Putz is on the disabled list, due to come back from elbow problems sometime within the first week or so after the All-Star break, which runs July 14-17. When he does, he won't come back as the closer, not right away, because manager Jim Riggleman says he will want Putz to pitch midgame a couple of times to see how his stuff looks after two long stints on the DL."

Putz's new motion a setback

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June 29

Seattle Times

"One reason Mariners closer J.J. Putz won't be back before the All-Star break is a setback suffered last week in Atlanta due largely to miscommunication. Putz apparently attempted to play catch June 21, but had been told something by the training staff about getting "better extension" on his throws. Not really sure of what that meant, he began snapping off throws with a different, twisting-type motion that wound up causing soreness in the arm. "I was out there trying to snap it and it got sore again," he said before Saturday's game. No one knows for certain whether Putz would have made it back any sooner had he started throwing regularly after that Atlanta attempt. Putz instead wound ..."

Morrow will get more save chances with Putz on DL

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June 15

Seattle Times

"Brandon Morrow didn't get to dip a toe to test the temperature of the role as Seattle's closer. He cannonballed into the deepest end of the bullpen when he replaced an injured J.J. Putz in Toronto on Wednesday. Probably better that way. "I was loose and ready to go in," Morrow said. "But I wasn't mentally preparing myself [like], 'All right, here comes a save situation.' I think it was easier to get thrown in there without thinking about it." He pitched a scoreless inning to earn the save. Manager John McLaren did not designate Morrow the closer after Putz was placed on the disabled list Friday, but Morrow figures to get a few more save opportunities as Putz recovers from his ..."

Mariners closer J.J. Putz relieved to hear that sore elbow won't require surgery

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June 14

Seattle Times

"J.J. Putz's arm still hurt Friday, his elbow throbbing even as he leaned against a wall outside the Mariners clubhouse to answer a reporter's question about his second trip to the disabled list this season. The Mariners closer felt better in one important way, though, after finding out his elbow injury would not require anything more significant than rest to heal. "I'm very relieved that it was nothing structural," Putz said. "Just take a few days off and start throwing again.""

Mariners place closer J.J. Putz on disabled list

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June 13

Seattle Times

"Mariners closer J.J. Putz has been placed on the 15-day disabled list with a hyperextended right elbow. The team announced the move today and said that relief pitcher Roy Corcoran had been recalled from Class AAA Tacoma and would be in uniform tonight for the start of a weekend series against the Washington Nationals. Putz hurt the elbow during a ninth-inning appearance against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday."

No DL, but Putz gets weekend off

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June 13

Tacoma News Tribune

"The news for the Seattle Mariners and closer J.J. Putz was better than expected Thursday: The right-hander’s elbow injury is not considered serious. After Putz walked off the mound during a ninth-inning save opportunity Wednesday at Toronto, the Mariners feared the worst. A day later, however, the reliever was relieved – and so was his team. A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test revealed Putz hyperextended his right elbow throwing a pitch, and an evaluation by team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan showed nothing more than triceps tendon inflammation and an irritated ulnar nerve."