J.J. Putz finished a 5-0 win without incident on Friday, retiring all three Rockies he faced. It's OK if Heath Bell gives up homers in five straight appearances, but Putz allows one measly run and he's bumped from the closer's role to mop-up duty. Maybe it's where Putz belongs for the moment, but once he proves he's healthy, he's worthy of being featured over Bell.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said Tuesday that J.J. Putz will be used in only low-leverage situations while he rebuilds the strength of his right arm. Heath Bell is going to be tried as the fill-in closer once again. Putz recently returned from a right elbow strain and doesn't have his best stuff at the moment. He blew a save Monday in his first opportunity since being activated from a month-long disabled list stint.

J.J. Putz took a blown save Monday in his first save chance since he came off the DL on Saturday. Putz gave up a run on two hits and a walk in the ninth. That came after David Hernandez allowed a run in the eighth. Putz, Hernandez and Heath Bell all have ERAs between 4.50 and 4.71 this year. The Diamondbacks were hoping Putz's return from an elbow injury would restore stability to the team's pen, but he now has five blown saves in 10 chances this year. He'll almost certainly remain in the closer's role for now, but he's far, far from a sure thing.

Diamondbacks activated RHP J.J. Putz from the 15-day disabled list. Putz has been out since early May with a right elbow strain but is expected to regain his closer role with Heath Bell struggling. He returns to a 4.26 ERA, 1.58 WHIP, and five saves over 14 appearances with the Diamondbacks.

J.J. Putz (elbow) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday. Putz, out since May 7 with a right elbow strain, allowed one run on two hits and three walks in four innings during his four rehab appearances with Triple-A Reno. With Heath Bell struggling, it shouldn't be long before Putz is moved back into the closer role.

J.J. Putz (elbow) threw another scoreless rehab inning on Monday with the Triple-A Reno Aces. It was the third straight scoreless rehab inning for Putz, who is expected to return from the 15-day disabled list this week. With right-hander Heath Bell pitching so ineffectively, Putz will likely be rushed back into the Diamondbacks' ninth-inning role.

J.J. Putz (elbow) is scheduled to make back-to-back appearances on Monday and Tuesday at Triple-A Reno. If he makes it through both of those rehab outings with no issues, Putz will likely be activated from the disabled list on Wednesday or Thursday of this week. Heath Bell badly needs to be replaced at closer, so the timing is good. Putz, 36, has registered a 2.66 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.3 K/9 in 125 total innings with Arizona.

J.J. Putz (elbow) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno on Thursday. He'll remain with Reno through next Tuesday, as the D'Backs want him to appear in back-to-back games before being activated. Heath Bell has been scored upon in each of his last three outings and seems likely to cede the closer job back to Putz.

J.J. Putz (elbow) felt good during a bullpen session on Monday. Putz has now thrown off a mound a handful of times and is ready to begin a rehab assignment later this week. Assuming he doesn't encounter any setbacks, he should be ready to rejoin the Diamondbacks' bullpen in a week or so.

J.J. Putz (elbow) could begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Reno on Monday. Putz is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Friday before possibly being cleared to begin a rehab assignment. Given that he's already been out for over a month, he should require a handful of rehab appearances before returning in late June.