Bullpen Report: April 29, 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

•Reynaldo López and Kendall Graveman, CHW: Both have pitched back-to-back days, with 28 total pitches for López and 25 for Graveman. | RosterResource

The pitch counts for the White Sox’s co-closers have been manageable, so it’s very possible one or both can work a third straight Saturday. Aaron Bummer or Jimmy Lambert could also close.

•Michael Fulmer, CHC: 12 pitches on Friday; 16 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Co-closer Brad Boxberger didn’t pitch Friday, so he’ll be good to go Saturday.

•A.J. Puk, MIA: 19 pitches on Friday; 14 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Dylan Floro has pitched three days in a row, so he definitely won’t be available Saturday. That’d leave Tanner Scott as the likely closer if Puk is unavailable also.

Injury News

•Peter Fairbanks, TBR: Exited with Raynaud syndrome during Friday’s game. | RosterResource

Fairbanks’s Raynaud syndrome, which he first dealt with last year in the playoffs last year, could keep him out for the rest of this weekend’s series on a cold few days in Chicago. Struggling to feel one’s fingers obviously is going to have an impact on pitching, and the Rays are going to look for ways to combat the symptoms on cold days, which would only impact Fairbanks on certain road games.

Outlier Saves

•Jorge López, MIN | RosterResource

Entering Friday, closer Jhoan Duran’s availability was in question because he had an immigration appointment to attend, and it appears he was in fact unavailable. That left López to close the door on the Royals with a two run lead, and while he was far from flawless (he got two quick outs, then gave up two hits and hit a batter) he struck out Nick Pratto to end the threat and keep his ERA at a sterling 0.00 for the season. López was an All-Star closer for the Orioles before being traded over to the Twins at the trade deadline last year and stumbling to a 4.37 ERA for the rest of the season (including a walk rate pushing 14%), but he appears to be back in form this year.

•Kevin Kelly, TBR | RosterResource

After Peter Fairbanks (see above) left due to injury, Kelly was brought in to get the final out of the game, and he needed just two pitches to do so, inducing a Luis Robert Jr. pop up to finish off the game for his first career save. The Rule 5 pick has been solid if unspectacular to start his MLB career, with a 4.20 ERA in his first 15 big league innings, though FIP (2.82) is more appreciative of his work.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None