Bullpen Report: April 14, 2022

The 2022 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Aaron Bummer is a likely candidate for a save chance on Thursday if Hendriks is not available for a third consecutive day.

•Lou Trivino, OAK: Back-to-back days; 18 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

A.J. Puk and Domingo Acevedo are likely candidates for a save chance on Thursday if Trivino is not available for a third consecutive day.

 

Injury News

•Corey Knebel, PHI: Activated from COVID-19 IL. | RosterResource

Knebel was only out for one additional day after missing Monday’s game due to flu-like symptoms. He was not needed on Wednesday in the Phillies’ 9-6 loss to the Mets, but he’ll likely pitch a couple of times during the team’s upcoming four-game series in Miami.

 

Outlier Saves

•Wil Crowe, PIT | RosterResource

The Pirates haven’t had an opportunity to use one of their co-closers, David Bednar and Chris Stratton, in a save situation thus far. But Crowe has now recorded the final out in both of the Pirates’ wins. After pitching two scoreless innings to close out a 9-4 win over the Cardinals on Sunday, the 27-year-old threw shutout ball over the final three innings of a 6-2 victory over the Cubs on Wednesday to pick up his first career save.

Acquired from the Nationals for Josh Bell two offseasons ago, Crowe entered the season no better than 6th on the starting pitcher depth chart and losing ground to several young prospects. Thus, he’s getting a chance to pitch out of the bullpen after making 25 starts as a rookie in 2021.  While his ability to pitch multiple innings increases his value, he could end up taking on a high-leverage relief role if he keeps it up. He’s now pitched seven scoreless innings with only one hit allowed and nine strikeouts through three appearances.

 

Committee Clarity

•Hansel Robles, BOS | RosterResource

While there was good news with Matt Barnes, who threw his second consecutive scoreless inning on Wednesday, it’s Robles who is looking like he could be the answer to close out games for the Red Sox. After the Tigers fought back from a 9-2 deficit to close within two runs with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Robles shut the door on a bases-loaded rally and then retired the side in order in the ninth to pick up his first save.

The 31-year-old Robles, who picked up four saves after joining the Red Sox just prior to last year’s trade deadline, was a late arrival to camp because of visa issues. But he ended up making the Opening Day roster and is expected to play an integral role in their bullpen. Whether he can take hold of the closer’s job will depend mostly on Barnes, who would likely reclaim the job if he can regain his form from the 1st half of 2021.

 

•Tanner Rainey, WSN | RosterResource

Despite Kyle Finnegan’s impressive 2021, when he had a 3.55 ERA, 11 saves, and 13 holds, it was going to be difficult to hold on to the closer’s job if a more reliable version of Rainey showed up in 2022. And, thus far, that’s been the case. After picking up a save in the Nationals’ first win of the season on Sunday, a 4-2 win over the Mets, Rainey was back in the saddle for another save chance on Wednesday. Following Finnegan, Sean Doolittle, and Steve Cishek, who pitched successively in the sixth, seventh, and eighth innings, the 29-year-old Rainey pitched a scoreless ninth to close out a 3-1 win over the Braves.

Rainey’s disastrous 2021, which came as he appeared on the verge of a breakout, should not be forgotten. But, at least for now, he appears to have a hold on the Nationals’ closer job.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.