Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson gave J.J. Putz a vote of confidence on Friday, maintaining that despite his recent struggles he will remain the closer. Gibson did however indicate that Putz's workload will be monitored and that David Hernandez or Heath Bell could receive save chances if the situation dictates. Putz has already blown four saves in nine chances on the season, while sporting a 4.26 ERA and 1.50 ERA. While he's still the favorite for saves in Arizona, another blowup could open the door for Bell or Hernandez to seize his job.

J.J. Putz took his fourth blown save and his first loss after giving up a homer to Pablo Sandoval in the ninth on Tuesday. In J.J.'s defense, he wasn't the putz who decided Trevor Cahill was good enough to start the ninth and then not good enough to stay in after a leadoff single. Had Putz come in to start the inning with the bases empty, as he's accustomed to, things might have gone differently tonight. His closing gig should still be safe.

J.J. Putz worked around a walk in a scoreless inning Thursday against the Rockies for his fourth save of the season. Putz retired the first two batters before walking Dexter Fowler, but he was able to strike out Carlos Gonzalez swinging to end it. While the veteran right-hander has blown three saves already, including two in the past week, his job is pretty safe as long as he's healthy.

Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said prior to Wednesday's game versus the Giants that J.J. Putz will remain his closer. "He'll close if he's available today," Gibson said. Putz evidently was not available, however, after pitching two of the previous three games, as David Hernandez got the call in a save situation Wednesday and surrendered a game-tying homer. Both Putz and Hernandez have pitched poorly of late, but Gibson figures to go with Putz in the next save situation.

J.J. Putz blew his third save by giving up a two-run homer to Brandon Belt in the ninth inning Tuesday. Belt, not John Axford or Carlos Marmol or anyone else, is the first major leaguer to three blown saves this season. Still, it doesn't seem like time to be alarmed; he's still pitched scoreless innings in six of his nine appearances and he's struck out 12 batters. David Hernandez would be next in line for saves in Arizona, but it's more likely that Putz will get hurt than lose his job due to ineffectiveness.

J.J. Putz blew his second save of the season Thursday, serving up a game-tying home run to Francisco Cervelli in the ninth inning. Putz then gave up a two-out single after the homer but got Lyle Overbay to ground out to end it. The veteran reliever has been nearly untouchable in five of seven appearances this season, but he's blown saves in the other two, converting just two of four chances. David Hernandez is out-pitching him, but Putz should have a decent amount of leash left.

J.J. Putz threw a scoreless inning, fanning three of the four Pirates batters he faced, on Wednesday. It was a nice bounceback outing for Putz, who blew a save in hideous fashion on Sunday. The 36-year-old right-hander carried a good amount of job security into 2013. If he falters, David Hernandez is next in line.

J.J. Putz lost 17 pounds over the offseason after going to gluten-free, dairy-free diet. Both Putz and Trevor Cahill, who lost 15 pounds, went on the diet upon the advice of te same nutritionist. Putz said he has tons more energy now, which surely can't hurt his chances at producing a third straight strong year as the Diamondbacks' closer.

Diamondbacks signed RHP J.J. Putz to a one-year extension. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports that it's worth $7 million. The Diamondbacks already exercised Putz's $6.5 million option for 2013, so the new agreement carries him through 2014. Putz, who turns 36 in February, has a 2.48 ERA and 77 saves over the past two seasons with Arizona.

The Diamondbacks have exercised their $6.5 million option on right-hander J.J. Putz. That was the expectation all along, but it's now confirmed. Putz will remain under contract for the 2013 season. He would have been owed a $1.5 million buyout had the Diamondbacks declined to bring him back.