Bullpen Report: August 11, 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.

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: Three of last four days; 27 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Adam Ottavino is the best choice to fill in for Barnes, with Josh Taylor and Hirokazu Sawamura also options.

•Scott Barlow, KCR: Three straight days; 9 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Greg Holland and Jake Brentz are the top options to substitute for Barlow, though Holland threw 31 pitches on Monday after 19 on Sunday, so he may need another day off.

•Andrew Kittredge, TBR: 29 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

The Rays don’t have a set closer right now—Kittredge threw two innings as more of a fireman on Tuesday—so just about anyone could get a save chance on Wednesday. JT Chargois, Collin McHugh, Matt Wisler and Ryan Sherriff are probably the best bets, though.

•Spencer Patton, TEX: 32 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Joe Barlow and Brett Martin have been good in setup roles this year and neither would have a problem sliding into the ninth if needed.

•Jake McGee, SFG: 26 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Co-closer Tyler Rogers would take the ball in McGee’s stead if a save situation presents itself.

Injury News

•Rowan Wick, CHC: Activated from the 60-Day IL (strained oblique/intercostal) on Tuesday. | RosterResource

It was a long road back to Chicago for Wick, who first injured his side way back in September of 2020. Injuries to the oblique and intercostal area are notoriously fickle, but 10 months in between appearances is just about as severe as it gets. Wick pitched well on his rehab; he allowed five runs in 7.1 innings, but all of those runs came in one outing. He struck out 15 of 32 opponents with just seven walks.

The post-Craig Kimbrel Cubs bullpen is perhaps the most fluid in the majors, with no anointed closer and nobody really distinguishing themselves thus far. The Cubs have just two saves since the trade deadline, earned by Manuel Rodríguez and Kyle Ryan, neither of whom have pitched well otherwise. So, even after so much time away, Wick should factor prominently in the mix, especially after returning with a scoreless inning on Tuesday. Codi Heuer is probably Wick’s top competition for saves right now, and Dillon Maples could be a factor once he’s activated from the IL (blister).

Outlier Saves

•Andrew Chafin, OAK | RosterResource

Manager Bob Melvin elected to use closer Lou Trivino in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game, even with the bottom of the Guardians’ order due up, so it was the southpaw Chafin who was given the save opportunity after the A’s took the lead in the tenth. It was no easy task, with José Ramírez due up second in the inning. Ultimately, though, Chafin handled the task with aplomb, and thanks to excellent defense by Matt Chapman behind him, pitched a 1-2-3 inning. It was Chafin’s first save of the season, and he’s been unscored upon in 6.2 innings since being acquired from the Cubs.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.