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Brandyn Garcia was given the first crack at the save, but after Garcia gave up a single and another runner reached via error, the Diamondbacks turned to Ginkel to get the final out, and he did just that. It’s just the second save for Ginkel, and it’s probably one of the last.

He struck out two. Ginkel had gone 52 appearances without a save. His only previous chance came in the 10th inning of a game against the Pirates on July 28, but he had just a one-run lead then and was charged with his first and only blown save for allowing the automatic runner to score. Ginkel got the opportunity today because Brandyn Garcia was unavailable after working the previous two days. Garcia hasn’t been named Arizona’s closer, but he’s clearly Torey Lovullo’s first choice right now.

Ginkel gave up three singles, none of which were hard-hit balls, and then a three-run homer to Rafael Devers before exiting. Ginkel entered the game having allowed three runs — one earned — over 3 2/3 innings in four appearances. He’s struck out four and walked one, and his velocity has been fine after he missed the final two months of 2025 with a shoulder strain. He should be in the running for saves in Arizona’s pen at the start of the year, but it doesn’t seem likely that the team will name a closer initially.

Lovullo noted Kevin Ginkel, Paul Sewald and Ryan Thompson as potential options that want the ball in the ninth inning. Then at some point during the season the Diamondbacks will get Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk back, which will cause further chaos at the back end of their bullpen. Fantasy managers who are trying to speculate for saves here may be better served looking elsewhere.

Ginkel had been projected by MLBTradeRumors.com to earn $3 million via arbitration, so it feels like a fair deal for both sides. He was limited to just 29 appearances with the Diamondbacks in 2025 before being shelved for the season with a right shoulder strain in early August. When healthy, the 31-year-old hurler has proven to be a viable late-inning weapon for the D’Backs.