Bullpen Report: April 15

The 2021 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.)

Notable Workloads

•Edwin Diaz, NYM: Back-to-back days; 10 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

We haven’t seen Diaz go 3 days in a row yet, so it’s possible Trevor May could see a save chance if a save opportunity arises on Thursday. But it’s likely that Diaz will be available.

•Matt Barnes, BOS: Back-to-back days; 18 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

We haven’t seen Barnes go 3 days in a row yet, so Adam Ottavino is a likely candidate for a save chance on Thursday if Barnes can’t go.

•Will Smith, ATL: 4 of last 5 days; 9 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

A.J. Minter or Tyler Matzek might get an opportunity if Smith isn’t available on Thursday.. 

 

Injury News

•Julian Merryweather, TOR: Placed on 10-Day IL (strained oblique). | RosterResource

With Merryweather out, the Jays could go to a committee until someone emerges (or keep it as a committee). Jordan Romano and Rafael Dolis seem most likely to get the next save chance, but David Phelps and Ryan Borucki are also in the picture.

Merryweather’s timetable is unclear, but oblique injuries typically take 3-6 weeks to heal, according to Dr. Jesse Morse.

Minimum 3 weeks, up to 6, average 25 days

— Jesse Morse, MD (@DrJesseMorse) April 14, 2021

•Josh Staumont, KCR: Activated from COVID-19 IL. | RosterResource

Staumont returned from a one-day absence and threw two scoreless innings and picked up his first hold of the season on Wednesday. It’s possible he enters the committee conversation in Kansas City as it’s still not entirely clear which direction the Royals will go yet.

Outlier Saves

None

 

Committee Clarity

•Yimi Garcia, MIA | RosterResource

After pitching the 9th inning of a tied game on Saturday where he got the win, Yimi has now been used as the closer for two consecutive outings on Monday and Wednesday. While manager Don Mattingly has said that he’s comfortable using Dylan Floro or Richard Bleier in a save situation, Garcia definitely appears to be the choice for the Marlins at closer. Since allowing a run on Opening Day, the 30-year-old has pitched 6.1 scoreless innings with only one hit allowed.

•Gregory Soto, Bryan Garcia, DET | RosterResource

Jose Cisnero got the initial call in the 9th inning of Wednesday’s game with the Tigers leading 6-3 over Houston, but he was removed after loading the bases on two walks and a single without retiring a batter. Bryan Garcia came in and successfully closed it out for his second save — though not before walking in an inherited run. Gregory Soto pitched a scoreless 8th inning to pick up a hold. This is a messy situation, but it seems likely that Soto and Garcia will continue to be the team’s co-closers. It’s hard to imagine Cisnero seeing any more opportunities in the near future.

 

Losing A Grip

None