Bullpen Report: April 17, 2021

NEW FEATURE ALERT! We have added an upgraded version of RosterResource’s Closer Depth Chart to FanGraphs. Read more about it here.

We will always include a link to the full Closer Depth Chart at the bottom of the Bullpen Report each day. It’s also accessible from the RosterResource drop-down menu and from any RosterResource page. Please let us know what you think.

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

•Will Smith, ATL: 34 pitches on Friday; 5 of last 7 days. | RosterResource

Tyler Matzek and Luke Jackson are likely candidates for a save chance if Smith isn’t available on Saturday.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 26 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen and Victor González are candidates for a save chance if Jansen isn’t available on Saturday.

•Mark Melancon, SDP: 23 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Emilio Pagán is a likely candidate for a save chance if Melancon isn’t available on Saturday. Drew Pomeranz only threw 13 pitches on Friday, but he has been dealing with shoulder discomfort and might not be available for a second consecutive day.

•Brad Hand, WSN: Back-to-back days; 17 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Tanner Rainey is a likely candidate for a save chance if Hand isn’t available on Saturday.

 

 

Injury News

•Joely Rodríguez, TEX: Activated from 10-Day IL. | RosterResource

An Opening Day bullpen with Rodriguez, Jonathan Hernández, and José Leclerc as the Rangers’ top three relievers seemed to be the plan heading into Spring Training. But Hernandez and Leclerc each had season-ending Tommy John surgery and Rodriguez began the season on the Injured List with a sprained ankle. He’s back now, though, and should get a chance to quickly move into a late-inning role setting up for closer Ian Kennedy.

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.