Diamondbacks 4-Time All-Star To Miss Significant Time

In a tough blow to the Arizona Diamondbacks, they'll have to do without one of their key relievers for "months, not weeks."

RHP Mark Melancon has a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder per @Dbacks manager Torey Lovullo. He is getting a PRP injection. Will open year on injured list.
— Steve Gilbert (@SteveGilbertMLB) March 16, 2023

Mark Melancon will be placed on the 60-day IL, after being diagnosed with a subscapularis strain in his right shoulder. According to manager Torey Lovullo, the 4-time All-Star will miss multiple months. The manager added that Melcancon will be receiving a platelet-rich plasma injection to promote healing in the shoulder.

The veteran reliever is entering the second season of a two-year, $14M deal with the D-Backs, and the 2022 season didn't quite go as planned. Coming off a major league-leading 39 saves in 2021 with the San Diego Padres, the 37-year-old had a disappointing season for the Snakes, with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP, and just 18 saves. He struck out a career-low 5.6 batters per nine, and had a meager 35:21 K/BB ratio in 56 innings.

The 14-year veteran will have to wait until midseason to try to regain his stead in the Arizona bullpen. In the meantime, Scott McGough, Miguel Castro and Kevin Ginkel should be the late-inning options for Lovullo.

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