Ziegler made his seventh straight scoreless appearance of the season in Friday's loss to Pittsburgh.

The opposition has just one hit against Ziegler in 6.2 innings this season. He'll continue to work as part of the bridge to Addison Reed, collecting most of his value in leagues that reward holds.

Ziegler (knee) made his Cactus League debut Sunday against the Rockies, giving up a run on two hits and a walk over one inning.

Though Ziegler surrendered a solo blast to Corey Dickerson to lead off the inning, he was able to strand the remaining two baserunners. The side-winding reliever's start to the spring was delayed by microfracture surgery on his left knee last September, but he should be ready to work in a setup role for the Diamondbacks when Opening Day arrives. The team's closer situation is a bit unsettled at the moment with Addison Reed still recovering from a shoulder injury, but Evan Marshall would probably get the nod ahead of Ziegler if a ninth-inning replacement is needed.

Ziegler (knee) tossed a perfect inning during a minor league game Wednesday, the Arizona Republic reports.

The appearances was his first in a game this spring, and it included a player where he had to test his surgically-repaired knee by covering first base on a grounder. Ziegler expects to be ready for Opening Day, although he was unintentionally throwing some pitches Wednesday from a higher arm slot.

Ziegler (knee) is no longer scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday, but he will pitch in a minor league game, Nick Piecoro of azcentral.com reports.

The tweak in plans isn't necessarily significant, but it also isn't a great sign. Ziegler's availability for Opening Day is still in question, though he should be ready early in the season, if not by April 6.

Ziegler (knee) will make his Cactus League debut Wednesday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.

Returning from microfracture knee surgery, Ziegler appears to have a chance at being ready for Opening Day. How he responds to the first taste of game action this spring should give a better read on his chances of his availability for April 6.

Ziegler (knee) threw to hitters and took fielding practice Saturday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Per the report, Saturday's sessions were the last hurdles Ziegler needed to clear before being ready for game action. With Addison Reed dealing with a shoulder injury, Ziegler could be a candidate to serve as the team's closer at the beginning of the season, but he'll need to get through Cactus League action pain-free first.

Ziegler (knee) faced Chris Owings in live batting practice Wednesday, marking his first appearance of the spring against a hitter, the Arizona Republic reports.

The uncertainty surrounding Addison Reed (shoulder) could open up a few early-season save opportunities for Ziegler, but he'll need to progress through several Cactus League games in the coming weeks in order to prove that he's ready to go for the start of the season following microfracture surgery.

Ziegler (knee) could face live hitters as soon as Wednesday, the Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro reports.

The Diamondbacks may be without Addison Reed (shoulder) when the season begins, but Ziegler's delayed timetable this spring may prevent him from being an option to close out games in April. There's still enough time for him to be ready for the start of the season, but Evan Marshall may be the next in line option behind Reed at the present time.

Ziegler (knee) will throw another bullpen session Friday and is getting closer to throwing to live batters, Fox Sports Arizona reports.

Ziegler had a 3.49 ERA, struck out 54 batters, and had a 5-3 record with one save over 67.0 innings last season. His status for Opening Day remains in question, but with Addison Reed (shoulder) yet to throw from the mound this spring, if Ziegler is healthy, he could see some early save opportunities. Otherwise, expect Ziegler to work during the seventh or eighth inning.

Ziegler (knee) threw off a mound Tuesday for the first time since undergoing microfracture surgery in September, mlb.com's Steve Gilbert reports.

While Ziegler shouldn't quite be considered a lock for Opening Day, the Diamondbacks expect him to be ready by that time. The side-armer figures to open 2015 in a setup role, but he could be in the mix for saves if Addison Reed (general soreness) has another rocky season.

Ziegler (knee) is expected to be ready for Opening Day, MLB.com reports.

Ziegler recently said that he should be available by Opening Day or shortly thereafter, even though he isn't yet ready to throw off a mound. He's expected to work in the seventh or eighth inning, setting up for the shaky Addison Reed. In the event Reed falters, Ziegler would likely be among the leading candidates for ninth-inning work, despite his consistent lack of strikeouts.

Ziegler (knee) will not be ready to throw off a mound when spring training begins, MLB.com reports.

Ziegler, who said his recovery from September microfracture surgery is "going well," has been able to play catch overhand without issue. However, his knee will really be tested once he starts to throw from his usual submarine delivery, which puts a good deal of stress on his plant leg. The right-hander is holding out hope that he'll be ready for Opening Day, but if added that if he isn't, "it should be shortly after that."

Ziegler (knee) is progressing well in his recovery from microfracture surgery, but he's unsure if he will be ready for the start of spring training, the Arizona Republic reports.

Fortunately, Ziegler won't need as much time during spring training to build up endurance since he's a reliever rather than a starter, and he expressed optimism about being ready to pitch by Opening Day.

Ziegler underwent microfracture knee surgery Tuesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports.

Microfracture surgery comes with a longer rehabilitation timetable than a standard arthroscopic procedure, but the belief is still that Ziegler should be ready for spring training. The right-hander fell apart after the All-Star break (6.27 ERA, .347 BAA), but still recorded a career-high 29 holds this season, and if healthy, should have little trouble reclaiming the setup job next year.

Ziegler will undergo season-ending knee surgery Tuesday, Nick Piecoro of AZCentral.com reports.

With Ziegler's performance suffering mightily as a result of a recurring knee ailment, the Diamondbacks will send the right-hander for surgery in hopes of rectifying the problem. Ziegler was his typically dominant self in the first half of the season (2.42 ERA, .198 BAA), but has been knocked around for 13 run on 26 hits in 18.2 innings since the intermission. Evan Marshall and Oliver Perez will likely be tasked with splitting setup duties the rest of the way.

Ziegler will travel to Los Angeles at some point this weekend to receive a second opinion on his left knee, Nick Piecoro of AZ Central Sports reports.

Ziegler has been dealing with a recurring knee ailment, and it looks like he'll attempt to address the matter further as the 2014 season comes to a close. He likely wants to ensure his health for 2015, when he may have an outside chance to earn ninth-inning work for the Diamondbacks. It wouldn't be wise to count greatly on his productivity for the remainder of 2014.

Ziegler allowed four runs on three hits in just 0.1 innings in the Diamondbacks' 8-3 loss to the Pirates on Saturday.

Ziegler took the loss, his second on the year. He struggled for most of July, posting a 4.05 ERA and allowing six runs. He's let up five runs in his past three appearances, moving his ERA to 3.05, the highest since April 10.

Ziegler allowed one run on two hits and one walk in one inning of work in a 5-4 win over the Phillies on Wednesday.

Zielger was hit in the chest by a line drive Saturday, but returned Monday. His ERA stands at a respectable 2.80 for the season, but it has been rising during a frustrating July.

FOX Sports' Jon Morosi reports that the Tigers have inquired on the availability of Brad Ziegler, but the Diamondbacks are "inclined to keep him."

Ziegler is making a reasonable $4.5 million this season, is owed $5 million in 2015 and the D'Backs have a $5.5 million option on him for 2016, so they don't feel obligated to deal the reliever even though they're out of contention. The Tigers are searching far and wide for relief help, with Joaquin Benoit and Joakim Soria also on their wish list.

Brad Ziegler had a rare off day on Wednesday, giving up four runs in the ninth to take a loss versus the Nationals.

Ziegler's recent performance made him the obvious choice to step into ninth inning duties if the Diamondbacks opted to replace Addison Reed, but he didn't have it today. His ERA nearly tripled from 0.86 to 2.53.