Bullpen Report: April 14, 2021

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).

Notable Workloads

•Will Smith, ATL: 20 pitches on Monday; 14 pitches on Sunday; 10 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

If Smith needs a second day off, A.J. Minter, Tyler Matzek or Luke Jackson could fill in.

•Greg Holland, KCR: 32 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

With Holland almost surely unavailable on Wednesday, Kyle Zimmer, Wade Davis or Scott Barlow could get a save chance.

Injury News

•Josh Staumont, KCR: Placed on COVID-related IL (undisclosed). | RosterResource

It’s unclear as to why Staumont is on the COVID-related IL, which doesn’t have a minimum stay. While he’s out, Greg Holland, Scott Barlow, Wade Davis and Kyle Zimmer could all be in the mix for saves.

•Julian Merryweather, TOR: Left game with hip inflammation. | RosterResource

It’s unclear how long this injury will sideline Merryweather, if at all, but if he’s day-to-day or ends up on the IL, Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis are the two likeliest to step in as closer.

Outlier Saves

•James Karinchak, CLE| RosterResource

With Emmanuel Clase having pitched back-to-back days, it was Karinchak called on to pitch the tenth inning against the White Sox. He had no problem closing the door, setting Chicago down in order with one strikeout. Clase should be back in the mix Wednesday.

•Kendall Graveman, SEA| RosterResource

Rafael Montero blew the save in the seventh inning of Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Orioles, so Graveman was called on to pitch the eighth. He worked a 1-2-3 inning picking up his first save of the season. The former starter is up in the high-90s with his sinker and hasn’t allowed a run this season, with five strikeouts. Montero (more on him below) has blown three games already, so Graveman could be on the cusp of taking his role.

Committee Clarity

•Greg Holland, KCR| RosterResource

Holland bent but didn’t break on Tuesday, needing 32 pitches to record a tense four-out save. He might be the closer for now, but Barlow, Davis and Zimmer are right there with Holland, especially if he continues to be shaky. Staumont could factor in as well, depending on how long his IL stay is.

•Lou Trivino, OAK| RosterResource

Trivino earned the first save of his season on Tuesday, throwing a hitless inning (with one walk) against the Diamondbacks. He’s now allowed only one run in 8.2 innings, and while the A’s may continue to mix and match while Trevor Rosenthal is out, Trivino is clearly the guy right now. Sergio Romo, Yusmeiro Petit and J.B. Wendelken are possibilities if Trivino slumps.

•Julian Merryweather, TOR| RosterResource

Merryweather was brought in with two outs in the eighth and a three-run lead, with Aaron Hicks batting as the tying run. Merryweather only threw two pitches, but due to hip irritation, he didn’t come back out for the ninth after the Jays had scored another run. Merryweather remains the top candidate for saves if healthy, but Romano and Dolis could still be considered co-closers for now.

Losing A Grip

•Devin Williams, MIL | RosterResource

Williams could be temporarily ceding his spot as Josh Hader’s right-hand man, with the Brewers easing him back in coming off a shortened Spring Training as he worked back from a shoulder injury. Brad Boxberger, Brent Suter and J.P. Feyereisen should see later innings for now.

•Rafael Montero, SEA | RosterResource

Montero’s blown save in Game 1 on Tuesday was already his third of the season, though he only allowed one run in each attempt and has eight strikeouts in 6.1 innings; batters are hitting just .136 against him. Nonetheless, a 40% save percentage doesn’t cut it, so Montero’s hold on the role is tenuous. The aforementioned Graveman is next in line, with Keynan Middleton, Casey Sadler and Anthony Misiewicz (currently on the COVID-related IL) also options.