Bullpen Report: April 8, 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.

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

•None

 

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•David Robertson, CHC | RosterResource

It’s been a long road back for the 36-year-old Robertson, who underwent Tommy John surgery in August 2019 and didn’t return to the majors until last September in an impressive stint with the Rays. He finished the year with three scoreless playoff appearances and entered the offseason with a good chance of finding a high-leverage reliever gig. He got a major league deal with the Cubs and a decent shot to be in the closer’s mix where he could add on to his 137 career saves. After game one of the 2022 season, he now has 138 career saves.

Pitching with a 5-4 lead over the Brewers, Robertson worked around a Willy Adames single to pitch a scoreless ninth and close out the win. Rowan Wick and Mychal Givens, part of a presumed closer’s committee, both pitched in the 8th inning. If manager David Ross goes back to Robertson for the next save chance, we can start to presume that it’s his job to lose.

First save of the season goes to #Cubs David Robertson. pic.twitter.com/2aywyBmwD9

— Mike Kurland (@Mike_Kurland) April 7, 2022

 

•Tony Santillan, CIN | RosterResource

Ever since it had been clear that Lucas Sims would begin the season on the Injured List, the expectation has been that the Reds would use a closer’s committee. And despite no obvious frontrunner in a group with as many as 5-6 candidates, the 24-year-old Santillan mostly flew under the radar because the rash of injuries to the team’s starting pitchers made it seem more likely that he would be needed in the rotation or in a multi-inning piggyback role.

But after Opening Day, in which he was called on to close out a 6-3 win over the World Champion Braves — he pitched a 1-2-3 inning with two strikeouts — it’s very likely that he’s in the bullpen to stay. And it’s also very likely that he will be an integral part of the closer’s committee with an opportunity to separate himself from the pack.

Tony Santillan slams the door for his first career save and the Reds start the season 1-0! #ATOBTTR pic.twitter.com/psGihtByCL

— ATBBTTR (@ATBBTTR) April 8, 2022

 

•Taylor Rogers, SDP | RosterResource

The only thing to clarify after the Padres’ disastrous Opening Day loss to the Diamondbacks is that Taylor Rogers is their closer. The 31-year-old lefty, acquired earlier in the day, would’ve gotten the ball with a 2-0 lead in the 9th inning under normal circumstances. But he was apparently not available because he had thrown a heavy bullpen on Wednesday in anticipation of an off-day as a member of the Twins. Therefore, he was forced to watch his new team’s bullpen implode and give the game away.

Robert Suarez, who was a leading candidate for save chances prior to the Rogers acquisition, walked two batters and hit a third before exiting in his MLB debut. Veteran Craig Stammen entered with the bases loaded and nobody out. After a wild pitch to score one run, he allowed a three-run walk-off home run to Seth Beer.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.