Bullpen Report: April 13, 2023

The 2023 version of Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

1. Notable Workloads: Primary closers or valuable members of a closer committee who have been deemed unavailable or likely unavailable for the current day due to recent workload.
2. Injury News 
3. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
4. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
5. Losing A Grip: Struggling closers who could be on the hot seat.

The “RosterResource” link will take you to the corresponding team’s RosterResource depth chart, which will give you a better picture of the full bullpen and results of the previous six days (pitch count, save, hold, win, loss, blown save.)

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Jhoan Duran, MIN: Back-to-back days; 15 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Jorge López is a likely candidate for a save chance on Thursday, especially if Duran isn’t available.

•Clay Holmes, NYY: 20 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Holmes didn’t pitch the previous two days, but threw back-to-back days over the weekend. Thus, he’s pitched three of the last five days. If he’s not available on Thursday, Wandy Peralta is a likely candidate for a save chance.

•Ryan Helsley, STL: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 14 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Giovanny Gallegos has also pitched back-to-back days, including an 11-pitch outing on Wednesday. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Helsley and/or Gallegos is available for a third consecutive day. Jordan Hicks is the freshest arm available, but also the most unreliable. Zack Thompson and Drew VerHagen might be the most likeliest for a save chance.

 

Injury Report

•Lucas Sims, CIN: Made his second appearance of rehab assignment on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Sims has now pitched a scoreless inning in both of his appearances for Triple-A Louisville, including a two-strikeout performance on Wednesday. He had six appearances under his belt during Spring Training before he was shut down with back spasms, so he might not need an extended rehab assignment. But, considering his injury history (elbow injury in 2021; back surgery in July 2022), the Reds could take a cautious approach and ensure that the 28-year-old can pitch back-to-back days without any issues before activating him. Once he returns, he could move up the ladder quickly if he can return to his pre-injury form.

Outlier Saves

•José Quijada, LAA | RosterResource

With Carlos Estévez likely unavailable after pitching three of four days, Quijada was the obvious choice for a save chance on Wednesday. Not only did he successfully close out a 3-2 win over the Nationals with a 1-2-3 inning on only seven pitches, the 27-year-old extended his scoreless inning streak to five innings to start the season.

After a rough finish in 2022 (8 ER in final 11.2 IP), Quijada was a bit of a forgotten man coming into the season with Jimmy Herget and Ryan Tepera the favorites to pitch in the highest leverage of situations along with free agent acquisitions Estévez and Matt Moore. But, aside from Estévez (5 IP, ER, 1 Sv), none of the others have really stepped up in the early going while Quijada (2 Sv, 3 Holds) has solidified a role as one of the team’s most reliable relievers.

 

Committee Clarity

•Trey Wingenter, DET | RosterResource

After taking a 3-1 lead in the top of the 7th of Wednesday’s game over the Blue Jays, the Tigers turned to their two best relievers, Jason Foley and presumed closer Alex Lange, to maintain that lead heading into the 9th inning. But this strategy is only effective if you have a third pitcher who is reliable enough to record the final three outs against one of the best-hitting teams in baseball. The Tigers do not, although the hard-throwing Wingenter was given that chance to prove otherwise. He allowed a single and a walk before wild-pitching the tying runs into scoring position. He hit the next batter, which ended his day. Chasen Shreve limited the damage, but allowed a pair of sacrifice flies to send the game into extra innings. The Tigers ended up losing in the 10th inning to drop their record to 2-9.

If manager A.J. Hinch had pitched Wingenter in the 7th inning while saving Foley and Lange for the 8th and 9th, respectively, would the results have been any different? The second-guessing would’ve also happened if Wingenter had given up the lead in the 7th while Foley and Lange were waiting for their turn. With the game on the line, however, the last three outs are not the same as the 19th, 20th, and 21st outs.

The 28-year-old Wingenter, who was terrific in Spring Training (6 IP, 0 R, 4 H, 0 BB, 11 K), was given a possible career-altering opportunity and it didn’t work out. If he saves that game, another save chance would certainly come in the near future and then another and so forth as long he continued to convert them. Now, it’s possible he doesn’t get another chance.

 

•Adam Ottavino, NYM | RosterResource

While the Mets had not committed to David Robertson as their primary closer, the veteran was certainly the favorite for save chances and had picked up each of the team’s first two saves. And this could continue to be the case. But, inevitably, a situation was going to occur when Robertson (.179 batting average allowed to right-handed hitters, .168 batting average allowed to left-handed hitters in 2022), and Ottavino (.160 batting average allowed to right-handed hitters, .301 batting average allowed to left-handed hitters in 2022) were in line to close out a win and the matchups clearly would favor Robertson entering the game first.

On Wednesday, with the Mets clinging to a two-run lead with two runners on, two outs, and Juan Soto coming up to bat, it was Robertson who got the call to face the lefty slugger. He retired Soto on a flyout to left, then pitched a scoreless 8th before handing a 5-2 lead to Ottavino in the 9th. The 37-year-old pitched a scoreless 9th to pick up his 1st save. It won’t be the last time this happens, but it’s a better bet that Robertson’s ability to get both lefties and righties out will usually make him the preferred choice to close out a win.

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.