Bullpen Report: April 7, 2021

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

•Matt Barnes, BOS: 23 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

More notable than the pitch count is that Barnes was able to spread them out over two incredibly efficient and dominant innings, racking up four strikeouts in the process. Nonetheless, because he had to take an extra eight warm-up throws for his second inning, he could be unavailable Wednesday. Adam Ottavino is next in line.

•Bryan Garcia, DET: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 27 pitches on Tuesday. Gregory Soto, DET: Back-to-back days; 26 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Buck Farmer could be in line for a save chance on Wednesday, although he threw 38 pitches on Monday, and Derek Holland (42 pitches Monday) could be unavailable as well. That leaves Daniel Norris and José Cisnero as the likeliest options.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 18 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

18 pitches isn’t typically many for a reliever to throw, but the Dodgers may want to be careful with their veteran stopper, especially early in the season. Blake Treinen (also 18 pitches on Tuesday), Corey Knebel, and Victor González are the most likely substitutes if Jansen is unavailable on Wednesday.

•Alex Reyes, STL: Back-to-back days; 21 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

31 pitches in two days of work likely makes Reyes unavailable for what would be his third straight appearance on Wednesday after picking up saves in the first two days of the week. Andrew Miller and Jordan Hicks are likeliest to take his place, with Giovanny Gallegos (15 pitches Tuesday after 26 pitches Monday) likely unavailable as well.

Injury News

•Joakim Soria, ARI: Placed on 10-Day IL (strained calf) | RosterResource

Soria, who had been part of Arizona’s closer committee, heads to the 10-day IL with a calf strain. There’s no timetable for the return of the almost 37-year-old veteran, who left his first appearance as a Diamondback due to the leg injury, after walking two of four batters faced.

The D’backs committee remains messy and unclear, with Chris Devenski (who has the team’s only save this year), Stefan Crichton, and Kevin Ginkel likeliest to pitch the highest-leverage innings.

•Brad Hand, WSN: Placed on COVID-19 IL | RosterResource

Hand was just one of a slew of Nationals to go on the COVID-related injured list, and is currently in protocol. It’s unclear if Hand tested positive for the virus or is simply quarantining due to exposure, and the COVID-related IL has no minimum stay. No matter how long Hand his sidelined, the Nats are likely to piece together the ninth inning. Daniel Hudson, Tanner Rainey, and Wander Suero are the most obvious candidates for this temporary committee.

 

Outlier Saves

None

 

Committee Clarity

•Chris Devenski, ARI | RosterResource

After he picked up Arizona’s first save of the season on Sunday, Devenski was called on to pitch the bottom of the ninth with a one-run lead for the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. Unfortunately for him, the former Astro was unable to hold the lead, though his team was able to pull out a 10-8 win in 13 innings.

With Soria on the IL, Devenski remains a likely option for save chances with Crichton and Ginkel also in the mix.

•Mark Melancon, SDP | RosterResource

Longtime closer Melancon picked up his third save of the season on Tuesday, 75% of the Padres’ total on the season (Ryan Weathers had a non-traditional three-inning save on Sunday), bolstering his case as the sole closer. Drew Pomeranz and Emilio Pagán remain the likeliest options when Melancon needs a breather, or if he falters.

•Diego Castillo, TBR | RosterResource

Castillo was given a shot to convert his—and the Rays’—third save of the season on Tuesday against the Red Sox, although unfortunately for him he was unable to close the door. Nonetheless, Castillo ought to keep his hold as the top closing option for Tampa Bay, although Pete Fairbanks remains a strong candidate.

•Ian Kennedy, TEX | RosterResource

The 36-year-old veteran picked up the first save of the Rangers’ season on Tuesday, tossing a scoreless ninth on just eight pitches. Possible co-closer Matt Bush pitched the eighth inning, giving up a solo homer to Bo Bichette but otherwise holding the lead.

Losing A Grip

None