Bullpen Report: April 25, 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: Back-to-back days; 14 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Willie Calhoun climbed the ladder on a Hendriks four-seam fastball and crushed it for a home run with one out in the top of the ninth on Saturday night. The dinger forced Hendriks’ second blown save of the season. The White Sox offense lent their support in the bottom of the ninth, allowing Hendriks to take the win. Both he and Aaron Bummer have worked back-to-back games, so Garrett Crochet is a likely candidate for a save chance if Hendriks isn’t available on Sunday.

•Yimi García, MIA: 22 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Entering the bottom of the ninth with a four-run lead and therefore not eligible for the save, García allowed Mike Yastrzemski to add another tick to the Oracle Park Splash Hit count during Saturday’s game. Brandon Belt also attempted to rally with a poke down the third-base line that resulted in a double. García was able to close the door after that but was obviously not at his best. Anthony Bass and Dylan Floro are likely candidates for a save chance if  García needs a rest on Sunday.

•Héctor Neris, PHI: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 11 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Connor Brogdon threw 18 pitches on Saturday, but could still be in the mix along with Brandon Kintzlerand Sam Coonrod if Neris isn’t available on Sunday.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 23 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen (21 pitches) and Victor González (18 pitches) were both used against the Padres Saturday night. It’s possible David Price and Brusdar Graterol could be used in save situations on Sunday, should Jansen, Treinen, and Gonzalez need a rest.

Injury News

•Diego Castillo, TBR: Activated from COVID-related IL (vaccine side effects) | RosterResource

•Greg Holland, KCR: Activated from COVID-related IL | RosterResource

Holland did not get the save chance after returning from a one-day absence for undisclosed reasons on the COVID-19 IL.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: Reinstated from the 10-day injured list (elbow) | RosterResource

Tagged with the loss on Saturday night, Romano got a high-leverage outing right away after coming off the IL. He came into the eighth inning with the game tied at 3, but gave up one earned and one unearned run after walking the first two batters faced. Romano probably can’t be trusted yet after how he looked and the job should still belong to Rafael Dolis for now.

•Corey Knebel, LAD: Placed on 10-Day IL (right lat injury) | RosterResource

While it’s good to hear that surgery will not be necessary, Knebel appears to have a long recovery period ahead of him. Dave Roberts’ comments pointed to a longer stay on the IL than 10 days.

Knebel's injury is to his lat muscle, not triceps. Surgery not planned but recovery will take months.

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 24, 2021

Knebel had two saves and two holds on the year before being removed from Friday night’s contest. While the Dodgers’ closer situation remains unchanged, Blake Treinen and Victor González are now the likeliest candidates for save chances when Jansen needs a rest.

Outlier Saves

•Giovanny Gallegos, STL | RosterResource

Working the last two innings of the game, Gallegos did not record a strikeout in the game but utilized his defense to get all six outs. Alex Reyes was on high usage alert after a 23-pitch appearance on Friday night. Gallegos remains a set-up man but has recorded two wins, two holds and now one save on the season.

•Jonathan Loaisiga, NYY | RosterResource

Both Aroldis Chapman and Chad Green had worked the previous two games and were given some rest. Loaisiga remains a reliever on the rise as he closed the game out, facing four batters and giving up no hits. It was his first career save and he adds it to the two wins and one hold on the season.

•Andrew Kittredge, TBR | RosterResource

In a similar situation to Holland and Josh Staumont in Kansas City, Kittredge closed out the game with Diego Castillo just coming off the COVID-IL.

 

Committee Clarity

•Josh Staumont, KC | RosterResource

With Holland being reinstated from the COVID-IL on Saturday, Staumont was finally given the chance to pitch in a save situation. The 27-year-old pitched a perfect inning against the Tigers, including two strikeouts, to close out a 2-1 win and record his first MLB career save.

FanGraphs’ Jason Martinez has had Staumont pegged as the team’s “Closer of the Near Future”, although he was the sixth Royals’ pitcher to earn a save in 2021. Now that he’s joined the club, it’s possible that he can begin to separate himself after proving he can handle the ninth.

 

Losing a Grip

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