D-backs lose 5-3 to the Blue Jays on June 17 as closer Justin Martinez is confirmed out for the season with Tommy John surgery. How will the bullpen cope?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of gut punches for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Just as the team was trying to snap a losing skid in Toronto, the club delivered the devastating confirmation: closer Justin Martinez is done for the year. The news cast a dark shadow over a 5-3 loss to the Blue Jays, leaving fans to wonder how the bullpen will cope and where the team goes from here.
'Awful news' - Manager Torey Lovullo on losing closer Justin Martinez to Tommy John surgery.
The worst fears were realized Tuesday when the Diamondbacks announced that hard-throwing closer Justin Martinez will undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The loss is a massive blow, sidelining a key bullpen weapon not just for 2025, but for a significant portion of 2026 as well. Manager Torey Lovullo didn't mince words, calling it 'awful news' for a club that had come to rely on Martinez in high-leverage situations. The news puts immediate pressure on the rest of the bullpen, a group that allowed a run in Tuesday's loss, and forces the front office to re-evaluate its late-inning strategy.
On the field, the D-backs' woes continued as they dropped their third straight game, falling 5-3 to the Toronto Blue Jays. Starter Brandon Pfaadt couldn't find his rhythm, surrendering four runs over five innings, including a costly two-run homer to George Springer. The offense showed some signs of life, with Corbin Carroll continuing his excellent season with a 2-for-4 night that included a double and an RBI, pushing his average to .321. Pavin Smith also chipped in with his 10th home run of the year. However, it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit, dropping Arizona's record to 14-12 on the season.
While the big league club deals with injuries and losses, there's a beacon of hope shining brightly in Triple-A. Top prospect Jordan Lawlar is on an absolute tear for the Reno Aces, putting together another monster game with three hits and three RBIs on Tuesday. Lawlar is now hitting .312 with 12 homers and 38 RBIs in the PCL. With the major league team scuffling, his performance is becoming impossible to ignore. The team also recently addressed its pitching by signing veteran RHP Anthony DeSclafani, a move that looks even more prescient with the news about Martinez.
The loss of Martinez is a season-altering event, and the current losing streak only magnifies the team's challenges. The D-backs will need to find answers from within the current roster and potentially from veterans like the newly-signed DeSclafani. As the series continues in Toronto, all eyes will be on how the bullpen responds and whether the offense can wake up. Meanwhile, the pressure from Jordan Lawlar's incredible performance in Reno is mounting, offering a potential jolt of energy that the team desperately needs.
