Bullpen Report: August 14, 2021

The 2021 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

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Jansen isn’t available.

•Edwin Díaz, NYM: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 14 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Seth Lugo is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Diaz isn’t available.

•Jake McGee, SFG: 25 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Tyler Rogers is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday, especially if McGee isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Garrett Richards, BOS | RosterResource

In his first appearance since being moved to the bullpen, Richards pitched three shutout innings to close out an 8-1 victory over the Orioles and pick up his third career save. Richards was also moved to the bullpen late in the 2020 season by the Padres and also had 51 relief appearances for the Angels in 2012 and 2013.

While the decision to move Richards to the ‘pen was at least partly due to his recent performance as a starter — he allowed 14 earned runs in 18 2/3 innings over his last four starts — the Red Sox are hoping he can pitch in high-leverage situations down the stretch. Friday’s outing was not one of those, but it’s a step in the right direction.

•Zack Littell, SFG | RosterResource

Littell has fallen in the Giants’ bullpen hierarchy in recent weeks, mostly because everyone else has been so effective. He had a 2.73 ERA in his first 37 appearances and was one of the team’s primary options to bridge the gap to Rogers and McGee. But he was sent to the minors shortly after allowing three earned runs on July 24. Now that he’s back, he’s one of several reliable relievers on the roster.

He picked up a two-inning save on Sunday with Rogers and McGee most likely unavailable after each had pitched three consecutive days. On Friday, McGee came on to pitch the ninth with a 5-2 lead. He allowed a two-run homer and back-to-back two-out singles with C.J. Cron coming up to the plate. Manager Gabe Kapler opted to go with Littell, who struck out Cron on four pitches to pick up his second save.

•Evan Phillips, TBR | RosterResource

Less than two weeks since being released by the Orioles, Phillips was pitching for the first-place Tampa Bay Rays and picking up his first career save in his season debut on Friday. The 26-year-old, who signed a Minor League deal with the Rays on August 4 and promoted to the majors eight days later, allowed one run in three innings to close out a 10-4 win over the Twins. He’s the ninth Rays’ pitcher to earn a save in 2021.

 

Committee Clarity

•Joe Barlow, TEX | RosterResource

Spencer Patton’s shaky outing on August 10 (0.2 IP, ER, H, 3 BB) opened the door for Barlow to at least get a share of save chances for the Rangers moving forward. He had earned the opportunity, allowing just one earned run over his first 12 2/3 big league innings with 17 strikeouts. On Friday, Patton pitched the eighth inning with an 8-5 lead over Oakland — he allowed one run — and Barlow got the ninth inning. After a one-out walk to Tony Kemp, the 25-year-old Barlow struck out Starling Marte and got Matt Olson to hit a game-ending groundout for his first career save.

Barlow should have the edge over Patton for save chances as long as he keeps getting the job done. And if he does that, he’ll likely enter the offseason as the team’s projected closer in 2022.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.