Bullpen Report: April 19, 2023

The 2023 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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.

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

•José Quijada, LAA: 10 pitches on Tuesday; 19 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Co-closer Carlos Estévez should be available on Wednesday since he had Tuesday off, though he did throw 26 pitches on Monday. 

•Andrew Chafin, ARI: 13 pitches on Tuesday; 12 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Miguel Castro relieved Chafin to earn the save on Tuesday, though he’s also pitched back-to-back games now, which could make both men unavailable. Scott McGough could close instead.

•Michael Fulmer, CHC: Three of the last four days; 12 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Tuesday’s appearance wasn’t a back-to-back, so Fulmer might not be down on Wednesday. If he is, co-closer Brad Boxberger would likely get the ball in the ninth.

•Pierce Johnson, COL: 24 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Justin Lawrence or Brad Hand could close on Wednesday.

•A.J. Puk and Dylan Floro, MIA: Both have pitched back-to-back days, with 29 pitches total for Puk and 18 for Floro. | RosterResource

On account of his lower pitch count, Floro is likelier than Puk to be available on Wednesday, but if neither is, a save chance could fall to Tanner Scott or Matt Barnes.

•David Bednar, PIT: Three of the last four days; 13 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Bednar didn’t pitch Monday, so he may well be available Wednesday. If not, Colin Holderman or Dauri Moreta could close.

Injury News

•Dany Jiménez, OAK: Placed on the 15-day IL (strained shoulder) on Tuesday. | RosterResource

The A’s had already had quite the murky closing situation—since they’ve lost so many games, it’s hard to tell who the high-leverage relievers even are—and losing Jiménez for what could be an extended absence doesn’t help matters. With Jiménez out, Trevor May and Zach Jackson could get what few closing opportunities the A’s have.

Outlier Saves

•Jason Foley, DET | RosterResource

Alex Lange pitched in game one of the Tigers’ doubleheader against the Guardians on Tuesday, earning the win, which left Foley as the top closing option for game two with Lange unavailable. Foley followed Eduardo Rodríguez’s eight-inning gem with a rock solid performance of his own, retiring the Guardians in order on two grounders and a strikeout.

Foley’s first career save was a nice exclamation point to a great start to his season, as he’s allowed just one run in his first eight innings with eight strikeouts against three walks.

•Miguel Castro, ARI | RosterResource

It appeared that Andrew Chafin had settled in as the Diamondbacks’ closer, having been unscored upon in his first eight outings, earning three saves along the way. But he ran into a bump in the road on Tuesday, allowing three runs, including a homer, while getting just one out. Castro was brought in to clean up the mess and while he walked a batter to keep things interesting, he shut the door on the Cardinals for his first save of the season. This could ultimately be the start of a co-closer situation.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None