Bullpen Report: April 19, 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: 24 pitches over two games on Sunday. | RosterResource

Aaron Bummer, Evan Marshall, or Garrett Crochet could fill in if Hendriks is unavailable on Monday.

•Jake McGee, SFG: 35 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

McGee may not even be on the active roster on Monday (more on that below), but he might need an extra day of rest even if he is back. Tyler Rogers would be his likeliest replacement.

•Diego Castillo, TBR: 20 pitches on Sunday; 15 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

The Rays could go in any number of directions if Castillo (who didn’t even serve as closer on Sunday) needs a day, but the likeliest options are Ryan Thompson, Andrew Kittredge, Cody Reed, and Jeffrey Springs.

 

Injury News

•Jake McGee, SFG: Placed on COVID-related IL (vaccine side effects) on Sunday. | RosterResource

McGee could just need one day off, being placed on the IL before Sunday’s game against the Marlins after receiving his second COVID vaccine dose. If he needs another day or two, Rogers is likeliest to fill in.

Outlier Saves

•Tyler Rogers, SFG | RosterResource

With McGee on the COVID-related IL for a few days (and he wouldn’t have been available anyway) it was Rogers called on for the bottom of the ninth. He made quick work of the Marlins, retiring the side in order on just 11 pitches, lowering his ERA to 0.84. He should be the top option as long as McGee is out.

•Jeffrey Springs, TBR | RosterResource

Castillo was used as a fireman on Sunday, getting the final out of the seventh and the entire eighth inning, so he could face the top of the Yankees’ order. It was Springs brought on to face Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela and Rougned Odor in the ninth, and he set them down in order on just 12 pitches, earning his first career save.

Committee Clarity

•Greg Holland, KCR | RosterResource

This was the second straight day that Holland got the ninth (he pitched in a tie game on Saturday and earned the win), making quick work of the Blue Jays for his second save of the season. Holland seems to be the Royals’ top choice for closer for right now, with Kyle Zimmer, Wade Davis, Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont all in the late-inning mix for holds and an occasional save chance.

•Stefan Crichton, ARI | RosterResource

Chris Devenski (now on the restricted list) had the Diamondbacks’ only save of the season before Sunday, when Crichton was called on to protect a three-run lead. Things were a little shaky for the righty, who gave up a walk and a hit but no runs for his first save of 2021 after earning five last season. Kevin Ginkel was called on in the sixth, throwing a scoreless inning for a hold. Yoan López and Taylor Clarke pitched the seventh and eighth, respectively. It looks like Crichton is the guy for right now without much competition, although rookie J.B. Bukauskas (recalled on Sunday) could work his way into the mix if his Spring Training success carries over into his first few big league appearances.

Losing A Grip

None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.