Bullpen Report: April 24, 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.

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

• Jorge López, BAL: 18 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

A pitcher on the Orioles recorded back-to-back saves. I just had to write that. In fact, López has recorded saves for the O’s in three of the last four games. He will likely be in need of rest on Sunday and setup men Dillon Tate or Paul Fry should be the go-to relievers for a save opportunity if one comes up on Sunday.

• Hansel Robles, BOS: 18 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Look for either Jake Diekman or Matt Barnes to get a save opportunity on Sunday if one comes up.

• Emmanuel Clase, CLE: 21 pitches on Saturday, three of last four days. | RosterResource

Clase recorded the loss and the blown save on Saturday when he came into the bottom of the ninth inning, walked the first batter, Josh Donaldson, and later gave up two hits that resulted in a Yankee win. He did record one strikeout but it was far from a dominant closer type of inning. He will likely get the day off on Sunday and that may give Trevor Stephan or Anthony Gose a chance to fill in.

• Héctor Neris, HOU: 10 pitches on Saturday, back-t0-back days. | RosterResource

With Closer Ryan Pressly still on the IL (knee inflammation), either Ryne Stanek or Rafael Montero are likely candidates to get a save chance should one come up.

• Lucas Sims, CIN: 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Sims returned to action and was given a chance to ease back into what should be expected as the closer role on Saturday. It was a little rocky as he gave up two hits and two earned runs while hitting a batter in the top of the sixth inning. He did record one strikeout. Look for Sims to get a few more low-leverage situations before taking back the closer job. For now, either Art Warren or Tony Santillan are likely candidates for a save chance on Sunday should one come up.

• Taylor Rogers, SDP: 24 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Rogers recorded his first blown save on Saturday but it was a whacky one. He relieved Luis García in the top of the eighth with runners on and no outs against a surging Dodgers offense. He then gave up a game-tying double to Trea Turner but got the last out in the eighth to keep the game tied, yet still technically blowing the save. He then came back out in a tied-up ninth inning and recorded all three outs, keeping the game tied. Robert Suarez came out for the top of the tenth, kept the game tied, and was rewarded the win when the Padres won the game in the bottom of the frame. Anyone would need a rest after all of that, and with the Padres pen taxed after the extra-inning game, look for rested relievers Tim Hill or Dinelson Lamet to be used on Sunday.

 

Injury News

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Outlier Saves

• Adam Cimber, TOR | Roster Resource

Jordan Romano had pitched back-to-back nights Thursday and Friday and Cimber was the manager’s choice to fill in. Tim Mayza, a setup man, had thrown 14 pitches on Friday night and may have needed the night off as well. Yimi García earned the hold and threw a clean eighth inning, striking out two. Cimber only faced three batters in the ninth. He did give up a hit to Kyle Tucker, but recorded a strikeout and then relied on his defense to turn a double play to end the game. Saturday’s game against the Astros put on display the strength of the Blue Jays pen. With their closer in need of rest, the team was able to keep the lead in a close game.

• Joe Mantiply, ARI | Roster Resource

With Mark Melancon coming off back-t0-back appearances on Thursday and Friday, he was likely in need of rest on Saturday. We figured Ian Kennedy would be most likely to fill in, but Kennedy threw in the eighth inning instead, earning two strikeouts and giving up one hit. It was then Joe Mantiply, the middle reliever who has bobbed up and down from AAA to the big leagues for multiple teams over the years, who came in to earn the save in the ninth. This could have been a decision to go with lefty-lefty matchups as the first batter Mantiply faced was left-handed-hitting Dominic Smith.

 

Committee Clarity

•Joe Barlow, TEX | Roster Resource  

Matt Bush earned his first save of the 2022 season on Saturday night, but it was most likely a fill-in job for the now, reportedly, official closer Joe Barlow. Bush pitched a clean ninth inning with one strikeout on Saturday. He remains the second-in-line for the closer job but baring any injury or major blow-ups, it appears to be Barlow’s for now. Barlow is only rostered in 22% of ESPN leagues, so it may be worth taking a look to see if he is available in yours.

We talked today to Chris Woodward about calling Joe Barlow his "closer" officially. He confirmed, but mentioned he might not be available today after pitching Thursday and "getting hot" yesterday.

Indeed, it's Matt Bush in the 9th

— Levi Weaver (@ThreeTwoEephus) April 23, 2022

Losing a Grip

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