Bullpen Report: April 30, 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

•Hansel Robles, BOS: 23 pitches on Friday; 13 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource
•Jake Diekman, BOS: Three of last four days; 17 pitches on Friday.| RosterResource

Matt Barnes, Ryan Brasier and Matt Strahm are all closing possibilities on Saturday.

•Héctor Neris, HOU: Three of last four days; 22 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Co-closers Ryne Stanek and Rafael Montero should both be available on Saturday.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: Four of last five days; 16 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Ryan Tepera and Aaron Loup have been the Angels’ best non-Iglesias relievers this year and either could be in line for a save if the Angels continue their winning ways.

•Ian Kennedy, ARI: Three of last four days; 19 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Will Smith and Tyler Matzek have also pitched three of four days, so a save opportunity could fall to Collin McHugh (who threw 38 pitches Wednesday), A.J. Minter, or Darren O’Day.

•Kenley Jansen, ATL: Three of last four days; seven pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Kennedy’s availability could go either way since he was so efficient on Friday, and if he’s down for the day then Noé Ramirez and Joe Mantiply are the backups.

•Anthony Bender, MIA: Three of last four days; eight pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

If Bender’s unavailable Saturday and a save situation arises, Cole Sulser and Anthony Bass are the top righty options to substitute, with Tanner Scott and Richard Bleier possibilities in a left-on-left situation.

•Taylor Rogers, SDP: Three straight days; eight pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Luis García and breakout rookie Steven Wilson are the best bets to close Saturday.

Injury News

•Mark Melancon, ARI: Placed on COVID-19-related IL (undisclosed) on Friday. | RosterResource

With no word as to why exactly Melancon was placed on the COVID-19-related IL, there’s no way to know how long he may be out. Players can be placed on the COVID-19 IL for a positive test, but also for COVID-like symptoms or being a close contact to a positive test result.

Melancon’s off to a strong start in his first season of a two-year deal with the Diamondbacks, with one earned run allowed in eight innings. He’s perfect in four save opportunities. Ian Kennedy should be the choice to fill in as long as Melancon’s out.

Outlier Saves

•Matt Strahm, BOS | RosterResource

The Red Sox gave Hansel Robles the first crack at closing out Friday’s game, but he allowed a homer, a single and two line outs on 23 pitches, so he clearly wasn’t very sharp. With Anthony Santander due up, Alex Cora pivoted to Strahm, who walked Santander but struck out pinch hitter Chris Owings to earn his first career save. Strahm’s had a nice start to his Red Sox career, with a 23% strikeout rate and just 6% walk rate through ten appearances.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None