Melancon noted a mechanical adjustment following last Saturday's win over the Mets in which he recorded a save, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

With the help of pitching coach Brent Strom and physical therapist Ben Hagar, Melancon made a change with his "hip hinge," per Strom. "Instead of (his right knee) just being straight and falling, he would get into his back leg and that helped create a little bit better power through the middle of the body, which then works its way up the chain and helped his cutter a great deal, which was evident in (Saturday's) game." The reliever, who struck out two over a clean inning Saturday, had the best of his four outings. Melancon had a rough Cactus League, which he attributed to toying with new grips of some pitches. It's unclear if those spring training struggles may have also been due to shifting mechanics.

Melancon struck out two and did not allow a baserunner to earn the save Saturday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon was called upon to protect a one-run lead, and he had no trouble doing so to pick up his first save of the season. He retired the Mets in order and generated swinging strikeouts against the final two batters he faced. Though this was his first save, Melancon has made four appearances this season, allowing one earned run across four frames. He appears to be locked into the closer role.

Melancon (0-1) took the loss in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Astros, allowing one run on two hits and a walk in one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon entered a tie game in the ninth and recorded two initial outs, but then surrendered three baserunners and a run to fall in line for the loss. It was discouraging to see the 37-year-old falter during his first high-leverage appearance of the season, especially considering Arizona's struggle at the closer spot last year and low expected win total.

Melancon has been "toying" with new grips on pitches, explaining his poor results thus far in Cactus League outings, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon is experimenting with new grips on his cutter, two-seam fastball and changeup, the last of which he plans to incorporate more heavily into his mix in 2022. The Diamondbacks' projected closer has allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. Saying he's "not concerned" about the results at this point, Melancon talked about testing multiple grips in the relatively safe environment of spring training action, and he can always revert to previous grips. As for the changeup, he said, "I didn't have a change-up for a long time. I've developed one. My goal is to throw one this year and use it often. That's been a major part of this for me." So, the pitcher feels there's nothing to see here in terms of his Cactus League performance.

Melancon allowed three runs on three hits and two walks over one inning in Saturday's spring training game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon is the Diamondbacks' closer, but he's had a rocky spring with six runs allowed in 3.1 innings. He's perceived to have high stability in the closer role, but in case things go sideways, Ian Kennedy is the closer-in-waiting.

Melancon participated in Tuesday's workout after arriving to camp a day late, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon was the major offseason addition to a bullpen that the Diamondbacks are still tinkering with in advance of Opening Day. He is the clear closer for the team, but it remains to be seen how competitive Arizona will be after losing 110 games in 2021.

Melancon signed a two-year, $14 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Wednesday, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon declined his option with the Padres in early November, and he'll now land a new deal with Arizona. The right-hander served as San Diego's closer in 2021 and led the majors by converting 39 of 45 save chances, and he posted a 2.23 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 64.2 innings across 64 relief appearances. The 36-year-old will presumably serve as the Diamondbacks' closer during the 2022 campaign.

Melancon declined his half of the mutual option in his contract Friday, making him a free agent.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon could have elected to stick around for $5 million. Coming off a year in which he saved 39 games while posting a 2.23 ERA, however, there's a good chance he can make more than that on the open market, even in his age-37 season. Melancon continues to post strikeout rates far lower than most closers, whiffing a modest 22.3 percent of opposing batters last season, but as long as he lands in a situation where he's the clear closer this winter, he'll head into next season with plenty of fantasy value.

Melancon pitched a scoreless ninth inning with one strikeout to earn the save against the Giants on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Melancon came on in the 10th inning with a 3-2 lead and retired Steven Duggar, Buster Posey and Wilmer Flores to capture his 39th save of the season. That's Melancon's best total since 2016, when he locked down 47 saves for Pittsburgh and Washington. The 36-year-old owns a 2.23 ERA and 59:25 K:BB in 64.2 innings this season.

Melancon (4-3) took the loss in Tuesday's 6-5 defeat at the hands of the Giants, allowing one run on three hits in one inning.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Jayce Tingler handed Melancon the ball with the game tied in the ninth inning and the 36-year-old permitted three straight singles with one out to fall in line for the loss. The defeat was Melancon's first since July 18 and he's now allowed exactly one earned run in four straight appearances, pushing his ERA from 1.88 to 2.37 during the stretch.