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| Chad Qualls has been placed on the 60-day DL with a dislocated left kneecap, according to TSN. Pitcher Billy Buckner was recalled from Triple-A as the corresponding move. |
Our View: Juan Gutierrez is expected to handle the closer's role in his absence. The injury looks to be serious, and the Diamondbacks are yet to speculate how long his recovery may take.
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| MLB.com reports that Arizona closer Chad Qualls will have an MRI on his knee cap, which he dislocated on the final play of Sunday's 4-3 win over the Astros. |
Our View: Apparently you could see the knee cap pop out. The trainers put it back in, but it's unclear how much damage was done when it dislocated. No word yet on if Qualls will land on the DL, but should he go down for an extended period of time the D-Backs would be without a closer. Jon Rauch, the most likely candidate to step in, was just traded to the Twins. Juan Gutierrez would be an option if Qualls is lost.
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| The Phillies reportedly scouted Diamondbacks' reliever Chad Qualls over the weekend, according to MLB Fanhouse. |
Our View: Qualls successfully converted 17 of 21 save chances with Arizona this season, and the Phillies may look to acquire him to upgrade their bullpen. It is uncertain who the Diamondbacks may ask for in return in potential trade talks.
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| The Diamondbacks continue to receive inquiries on Chad Qualls, but are less inclined to trade him after dealing Tony Pena, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Qualls has racked up 16 saves in 2009, but has a rather un-closer like ERA of 3.72. Obviously though, unless you are in a smaller league, he should be owned in every format.
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| According to FoxSports.com, the Yankees still have a strong interest in Diamondbacks' reliever Chad Qualls. Their level of interest will depend on the ability of Brian Bruney to be consistent before the trade deadline. |
Our View: The Yanks' bullpen has been pretty solid as of late, but they still feel like they would be best served to acquire more help. With the inconsistencies of Bruney lately, Qualls could be a very real option as the deadline approaches. If he would go to New York, his fantasy value would take a major hit.
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| Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com reports that the Rockies have interest in acquiring Chad Qualls. |
Our View: He says the Rockies are desperately looking for relief help, and have inquired about Joel Hanrahan, LaTroy Hawkins and Takashi Saito as well (among others). If the Rox stay in contention, look for them to add someone eventually, with Qualls being the most likely, even though the Diamonbacks might be reluctant to trade within the division. They are well out of the race and likely looking to unload some pricey, aging veterans.
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| Chad Qualls was tagged with his first loss of the season on Saturday when the Angels' Mike Napoli took him deep to break a 1-1 tie in the ninth inning. |
Our View: Qualls has gotten worse in each of the three months this season and currently has a 6.24 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 10 appearances in June. He'll remain Arizona's closer, although there is reason to be a bit concerned with his lack of effectiveness.
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| The Arizona Republic is reporting that Arizona's closer Chad Qualls expects his forearm issue to linger for a majority of the season. "I don't think it's going to be something that's going to just heal overnight. It's going to be a grind to get it back to feeling good and comfortable." |
Our View: It is convenient that he is making these statements after blowing a save, but it looks like his forearm is genuinely hurting. Fantasy owners should keep Qualls active, but monitor his situation, because if his injury continues to nag he may end up on the DL.
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| Chad Qualls admitted that his forearm was still stiff after his return to the mound Friday, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Qualls noted that the stiffness is more frustrating than alarming. He received treatment, and is not overly concerned that the ailment will linger this season. We will keep you posted on his status.
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| Chad Qualls is dealing with stiffness in his right forearm, according to MLBblogs.com. |
Our View: His forearm has been sore for a couple of days, and manager A.J. Hinch gave him four days of rest in a bid to relieve the issue. Hinch is not overly concerned, but it is uncertain if Qualls will be available to pitch tonight against the Dodgers if needed.
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| Chad Qualls pitched a perfect ninth inning on Saturday and earned his second save of the season in the Diamondbacks' 2-0 win over the Giants. Qualls struck out all three batters he faced. |
Our View: It was nice to see Qualls have a flawless inning as he had allowed six base runners in his previous three innings. He's looking like a solid fantasy closer though with eight Ks in four innings.
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| Chad Qualls has returned to the Diamondbacks after attending to the birth of his first child, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Qualls should resume his closer's role Friday against the Dodgers at Chase Field. Arizona is off today.
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| Chad Qualls has left the Diamondbacks to attend to the birth of his first child, according to the Arizona Republic. His wife delivered a boy, named Caiden Joseph. |
Our View: It is uncertain if Qualls will be back for Wednesday's game. Jon Rauch would be the top candidate to replace him in the closer's role if needed.
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| Chad Qualls needed just nine pitches to retire three batters on his way to his first save of the season in Arizona's 9-8 win over the Rockies on Monday. |
Our View: Qualls has quality stuff and struck out nearly a batter per inning in 2008. He should be a reliable ninth-inning option for the Diamondbacks and his fantasy owners this season.
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| Chad Qualls was tagged with the loss on Wednesday. He allowed one run on two hits in one inning of work. |
Our View: Qualls is still considered the favorite to be the closer in Arizona. He has taken a couple lumps this spring, but shouldn't have any issues holding onto the job.
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| Chad Qualls had a rough inning against Oakland on Thursday, surrendering a run off four hits while striking out one. |
Our View: Nothing much to worry about here, as it was the first run Qualls has given up this spring, albeit in just three innings of work. He still appears to be the heavy favorite to get the first shot at closing duties in Arizona following Brandon Lyon's departure.
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| Chad Qualls was perfect in one inning of work for the Diamondbacks on Saturday. |
Our View: Qualls is currently the favorite to close for Arizona, so he'd be a decent mid-to=late-round pick in fantasy leagues.
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| Arizona has avoided salary arbitration with Chad Qualls by signing the reliever to a one-year deal for $2.535 million, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Qualls held a solid 1.07 WHIP over 73.2 innings of relief last season, and could be counted on more in 2009 with Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz likely to join new teams.
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| If the 2009 season were to begin today, Chad Qualls would be the D'backs closer and not Brandon Lyon, according to the Arizona Republic. "But based on what he's accomplished, especially here as of late, I don't see why he wouldn't be considered the favorite going into spring training next year," manager Bob Melvin said. |
Our View: Wow, too bad that decision came about two months late this year. Qualls has been the most consistent arm in the club's pen this season, and we've seen how journeyman types can have success in the closers role elsewhere (Kevin Gregg and Salomon Torres come to mind).
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| Reliever Chad Qualls will get the first crack at being the Diamondbacks closer in 2009, according to DBacks.com. "Based on what he's accomplished, especially here as of late, I don't see why he wouldn't be the favorite going in to Spring Training next year," Arizona manager Bob Melvin said. |
Our View: Qualls has four saves in four tries since the middle of September when he took the job from Brandon Lyon. Juan Cruz might have been the favorite, but he will be a free agent, and so might Lyon, as the team must decide whether or not to offer him salary arbitration.
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| Chad Qualls returned to the mound Thursday as the D-Backs' closer after sitting out for two days due to fatigue, according to the East Valley Tribune. |
Our View: Qualls got two ground-outs and a strikeout to record his fifth save (against the Giants), and looks to be back on track after getting some rest.
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| Chad Qualls was not available to pitch Tuesday due to fatique, according to the Arizona Republic. He said, "I'm a little tired. I've thrown a lot lately. They approached me and asked if I'd be all right if I had a day off. I said that'd be fine. No injury or anything like that. I was a little sore even yesterday. I'm glad they approached me and asked me if I could maybe take a day or so."
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Our View: Tony Pena was set to fill in for Qualls in a save situation. Qualls has not allowed an earned run in 10 straight appearances, and hopefully he will remain strong after getting some rest.
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| Manager Bob Melvin indicated that Chad Qualls has unseated Brandon Lyon as the Diamondbacks' closer, according to the Arizona Republic. |
Our View: Lyon held a 2.43 ERA and converted 19 saves in 23 chances at the All-Star break but has not pitched well since. In the second half, he has an 11.57 ERA over 16.1 innings. Qualls came in to bail out Lyon on Friday night, getting the final out of a close 3-2 win over Cincinnati by striking out Jerry Hairston Jr. He has been the bullpen’s best pitcher for the past several weeks, as he has not been scored upon in 17 of his last 18 appearances. Qualls is worth targeting for the closing weeks of the season.
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| Chad Qualls worked a scoreless ninth inning on Monday and picked up a save against the Cubs. |
Our View: Brandon Lyon had worked the previous three nights, so he presumably wasn't available. It was still a bit surprising to see Qualls, as he hasn't pitched well in July. Qualls was fresh, though. We don't believe there is a closer controversy at this point.
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| Chad Qualls has really struggled of late, but that doesn't mean that manager Doug Melvin is ready to throw in the towel, according to MLB.com. "We still are confident in him," Melvin said. "He has some struggles, but earlier in the year, he was as good as anybody we've had." |
Our View: Qualls has a loss and a blown save while allowing eight hits and five runs over his last two outings. It won't take too many more outings like that to see Tony Pena leapfrog Qualls in the bullpen hierarchy.
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| Chad Qualls allowed three hits and three runs (one earned) in the ninth inning against the Mets on Sunday. The effort marred the reliever's spotless work thus far. Qualls had yet to allow an earned run over his previous 16.2 innings. |
Our View: Oddly, Qualls is 0-2 despite a 0.51 ERA. He's been great near the end of that bullpen. Brandon Lyon remains the closer, but we wouldn't be too surprised if Qualls gets a few chances throughout the year.
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| Brandon Lyon picked up his ninth save on Wednesday, but Chad Qualls pitched a scoreless seventh inning to run his scoreless streak to 15.2 innings. |
Our View: Qualls has been magnificent in the early going, and it might be he and not Tony Pena who would take over the closers role if Lyon suffers an injury.
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| Chad Qualls extended his scoreless run to start the season to 9.2 innings as he allowed just one hit to pick up his fourth hold. |
Our View: Tony Pena might be second in line for saves behind Brandon Lyon, but no pitcher in the Arizona pen is pithing better than Qualls who has nine K and has allowed just four hits on the season.
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| Chad Qualls lost his appeal of a three-game suspension and $3,000 fine for throwing a baseball into the stands and will sit out starting Tuesday, according to the AP. Qualls' punishment originally was handed down by Major League Baseball on June 20. |
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| Chad Qualls threw in consecutive outings for the first time Tuesday, working a scoreless inning, the Houston Chronicle reports. He was dealing with shoulder tendinitis earlier in the month. |
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| Chad Qualls has been dealing with shoulder tendinitis this spring, but he doesn't expect to miss the start of the season, according to the Houston Chronicle. "I talked to the trainers, and they don't think it's anything too major," Qualls said. "I think I'm just going to get on some anti-inflammatory (medication) and knock out the last bit that's in there. When I get loose, it feels great. It's just getting it loose and some days are better than others. No one seems to be very concerned, and I'm pretty happy about that." |
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| Chad Qualls is set to make his exhibition debut today, according to the Houston Chronicle. He's been slowed this spring by a tender right shoulder. "It feels good," he said. "It will be nice
to get back on the mound. It's the next step toward opening day. It's definitely getting stronger." |
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| A bruised right heel has left Chad Qualls unavailable for the past two games, according to the Houston Chronicle. He suffered the injury Thursday, though X-rays came back negative. |
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