Clippard was called upon to protect a four-run lead in the ninth inning Sunday and promptly gave up three runs on two walks and a Jay Bruce homer before striking out the side to preserve a 9-8 win over the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

He also walked a third batter after the home run. Clippard hadn't gotten any work since last Sunday, an outing in which he was also tagged for three runs, so his first week as the Diamondbacks' closer hasn't exactly gone according to plan. If he doesn't start stringing together some clean innings, manager Chip Hale may turn to Daniel Hudson or another reliever to handle ninth-inning duties instead.

Clippard was pulled from Sunday's game with one out in the ninth inning after allowing three runs on two hits and a walk.

EDGE Analysis

While Clippard got the first save opportunity of the post-Brad Ziegler era, he got the hook after allowing the Dodgers to get within one run, which opened the door for Jake Barrett to nail down his second career save. Daniel Hudson, meanwhile, pitched the eighth inning, which would indicate that he (not Barrett) is next in line for saves if Clippard can't get back on track. Clippard has had a fine season overall, striking batters out at a 29.2 percent clip, and hasn't given up a home run in nearly six weeks.

Clippard will likely become the closer for the Diamondbacks in the wake of Brad Ziegler's trade to the Red Sox on Friday, Bob Nightengale of USA Today Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard has provided a solid relief role for his club this season, posting a 3.06 ERA with 39 strikeouts over 32.1 innings of work. With Ziegler out of town, he will go back to his role as closer, where he spent some time at during last season with the A's and the Mets. In his career Clippard has only converted 54 saves out of 94 opportunities, and the Diamondbacks could choose to use Daniel Hudson as the closer if Clippard can't finish games.

Clippard pitched 1.2 innings on Wednesday with four strikeouts and just one hit allowed, but that hit was a walk-off home run by Houston's George Springer.

EDGE Analysis

The home run came in the 11th inning and was the third Clippard has allowed this season. Despite allowing the walk-off, the veteran reliever has been solid for the Diamondbacks, posting a 2.49 ERA and 10.8 K/9. If he keeps the ERA under 3.00, it will be his fourth straight season with such a mark.

Clippard struck out one in a scoreless inning of work against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard has not allowed a run in his last three outings, lowering his ERA to 2.50 in the process. The 31-year-old reliever, who has six straight 70-plus inning seasons under his belt, looks to be a solid component in Arizona's bullpen in 2016.

Clippard pitched a scoreless ninth inning with one walk to pick up his first save Tuesday in San Francisco.

EDGE Analysis

With regular closer Brad Ziegler having pitched four innings in the last four days and setup man Daniel Hudson tossing a pair of frames last night, Clippard was granted a rare save opportunity with a three-run lead and didn't disappoint. While he has returned strong value early, the veteran reliever still has to leapfrog the two aforementioned options before he could have the ninth-inning role to himself.

Clippard picked up his second win of the young season Tuesday, tossing a scoreless seventh inning while allowing one hit and recording one strikeout against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

Daniel Hudson then came on and pitched a scoreless eighth inning with Brad Ziegler giving up one run before locking down his first save of the season. This appears to be the hierarchy in the the Diamondbacks' bullpen to start the season, as Ziegler's other win was also picked up after he pitched the seventh. It's obviously nice to get unexpected wins out of Clippard, but he can't be relied on for those with any consistency, and he appears to be behind Hudson if the closer job every opens up.

Clippard picked up the win in Tuesday's game against the Rockies, his first as a member of the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard is generally expected to work the eighth inning on most nights, but he entered in the seventh in this one with Arizona trailing 6-5. The righty worked a hitless frame on 11 pitches, then snagged the win when Arizona erupted for six runs in the bottom of the inning.

Clippard pitched 9.1 innings in spring training and had 10 strikeouts for the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

In his 10 appearances, Clippard had an ERA of 4.82 and WHIP of 1.61 throughout exhibition play. He was able to strike out 10 batters, but also gave up six walks as well. The former National will start the year as Arizona's primary set-up man.

Clippard signed a two-year, $12.25 million contract with the Diamondbacks on Monday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Clippard has been one of the better relievers over the past few years, most recently being an integral part of the Mets' World Series run with his 2.92 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. That being said, the 30-year-old is pretty reliant on the flyball to get outs, which may not translate very well in a hitter's park like Chase Field. Whether or not his stuff suits the park, though, there's a good chance that Clipart could become the closer in Arizona, which bolsters their bullpen and makes him a very viable fantasy option once more.