Bullpen Report: August 14, 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

•Kenley Jansen, ATL: Back-to-back days; 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

A.J. Minter is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday if neither Jansen nor Raisel Iglesias (pitched Game 1 and 2 on Saturday; 22 pitches) is available.

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: Back-to-back days; 18 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Kendall Graveman is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday if Hendriks isn’t available.

•Jorge López, MIN: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Michael Fulmer is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday if neither Lopez nor Jhoan Duran (back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Saturday) is available.

•Edwin Díaz, NYM: Back-to-back days; 25 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Adam Ottavino is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday if Diaz isn’t available.

•Camilo Doval, SFG: Back-to-back days; 15 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

John Brebbia is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday if Doval isn’t available.

•Jonathan Hernández, TEX: Back-to-back days; 10 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

José Leclerc is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday, especially if Hernandez isn’t available.

•Kyle Finnegan, WSN: 27 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Carl Edwards Jr. is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday, especially if Finnegan isn’t available.

 

Injury Report

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Raisel Iglesias, ATL | RosterResource

Iglesias picked up a hold in Game 1 of Saturday’s double-header sweep against the Marlins, pitching a scoreless eighth inning ahead of Kenley Jansen, who closed out the victory for his 26th save. Jansen was almost certainly done for the day after his 21-pitch outing, but Iglesias was needed agin in Game 2 after Kirby Yates walked two of the first three batters he faced in the 9th inning to put the tying run on deck. The 32-year-old Iglesias issued a two-out walk but held on for his first save since being acquired from the Angels at the trade deadline.

•Matt Bush, MIL | RosterResource

Bush’s first two outings as a Brewer did not go well as he allowed three earned runs and had a blown save and loss. He bounced back with a pair of perfect innings in his next two appearances, though, including a save versus the Rays on Tuesday. Back in action for the first time since, he took over in the bottom of the 10th after his team scored twice in the top of the inning against the Cardinals. He allowed a single and a sacrifice fly, but struck out the next two batters to close out the 3-2 win.

•Scott Effross, NYY | RosterResource

Clay Holmes‘ time as the Yankees’ closer could be coming to an end, although his absence from Saturday’s game might have had more to do with him throwing 20 pitches in Friday’s game. After taking a 3-2 lead in the top of the 9th, it was Effross who got the call for his first save chance since being acquired from the Cubs. A pair of one-out singles made things interesting, but the 28-year-old retired Rafael Devers and Xander Bogaerts to close things out for the win.

While Effross will likely be in the mix for save chances if Holmes is removed from the closer’s role, it’s Aroldis Chapman who is making the strongest case to reclaim the job. The 34-year-old lefty pitched 1.1 scoreless innings on Saturday to extend his scoreless streak to 9.1 innings. He’s allowed only three hits and one walk over the span while striking out 10.

 

Committee Clarity

•Jonathan Hernández, TEX | RosterResource

Back in 2020, it seemed to be only a matter of time before Hernandez would become the Rangers’ closer. But he suffered an elbow injury and underwent Tommy John surgery before he could pick up even one save. Now that he’s finally back in action, he’s picked up right where he left off. It took only five appearances for him to pick up his first save. In his tenth appearance of the season on Saturday, he made quick work of the Mariners to close out a 7-4 win and pick up his third save.

Aside from a shaky outing on Friday when he gave up two runs (one earned run) on three hits to the Mariners, the 26-year-old has been terrific since his return. His 99 MPH fastball and 90 MPH changeup are a devastating combination that should allow him to succeed in the closer’s role, which is where the Rangers appear likely to keep him.

•Carl Edwards Jr., WSN | RosterResource

Since trading away Juan Soto on August 2, the Nationals have lost 8 of 10 games and aren’t likely to win many more ball games in 2022. As a result, their best relief pitcher, Kyle Finnegan, isn’t going to pitch very often if the goal is to use him mainly in save situations. Therefore, he’s going to pitch earlier in games on occasion.

In both of the team’s last two wins, Finnegan has entered in the 7th inning of a close game to face the opposing team’s heart of the order. Obviously, someone else was needed once the Nats took a lead into the 9th inning. And that someone was Edwards, who came through for his second save after he pitched a scoreless inning to close out a 4-3 win over the Padres on Saturday.

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.