Bullpen Report: August 17, 2020

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six 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.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

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

•Archie Bradley, ARI: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Bradley had a much easier time of things on Sunday (IP, 0 R, BB, 19 pitches) after allowing three earned runs in 1.1 innings to barely hold on for his fifth save on Saturday (22 pitches). If he’s not available on Monday, Andrew Chafin and Stefan Crichton are candidates for a save chance.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: Back-to-back days; 10 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

After two easy outings for a total of 18 pitches over the weekend, it will be tempting for the Astros to use Pressly again if needed on Monday. But considering that they don’t have a day off until August 31, maybe they’d give him a break with Blake Taylor or Josh James getting a save chance on Monday.

 

Injury News

•Anthony Bass, TOR | RosterResource

Bass was unavailable on Sunday due to back tightness. Manager Charlie Montoyo had previously indicated that Jordan Romano is in the mix for save chances, so this could further swing things in his direction. The 27-year-old had not allowed a run in nine innings before giving up a tie-breaking solo home run to Brandon Lowe on Sunday.

Anthony Bass has all 3 #BlueJays saves since Ken Giles hit the IL, but sounds like Jordan Romano will start getting some save opps, too

Romano (13 Ks in 9 IP, 96.6 mph FB) could be used when Jays need swing & miss. Bass still in the mix, too. Charlie Montoyo: "They're both good"

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) August 15, 2020

 

Outlier Saves

•Aaron Slegers, TBR | RosterResource

Five relievers were used in the completion of yesterday’s suspended game — Nick Anderson got the save — and four others were used in the seven-inning game that followed. Aaron Loup pitched in both and Anthony Banda was likely unavailable after throwing 58 pitches on Thursday. The last man standing after the Rays took a 7-5 lead in extra innings was likely Slegers, who retired all three batters he faced to pick up his second career save. He was optioned to the alternate site after the game.

 

Committee Clarity

•Taylor Rogers and Sergio Romo, MIN | RosterResource

With two innings to go and a two-run lead, the Twins were certain to use Rogers and Romo. It was just a question of who pitched which inning, although it rarely matters with this duo. Two lefties, Alex Gordon and Meibrys Viloria, were scheduled to come up for the Royals in the eighth, while right-handed batters Whit Merrifield, Jorge Soler, and Hunter Dozier would follow. Rogers got the eighth, allowing only a single to pinch-hitter Ryan McBroom. Romo struck out the side in the ninth for his third save.

 

Losing A Grip

•Craig Kimbrel, CHC | RosterResource

Things keep getting better for Kimbrel, who followed a near perfect outing on Friday (IP, 0 R, 0 H, BB, 2 K) with a 1-2-3 inning on Sunday (2 K). I wouldn’t pencil him back into the closer’s role just yet. The Cubs play the Cardinals five times in three games from Monday through Wednesday, meaning that it will be all hands on deck to close out any wins.

If Kimbrel can escape that series unscathed, there’s a good chance he’s the closer again by next weekend’s series against the White Sox.

•Jairo Diaz, COL | RosterResource

Pitching the ninth inning with his team ahead 10-4, Diaz made things interesting by walking a pair of runs home before Carlos Estevez came in to get the final out for his first save. Manager Bud Black confirmed that the team will now use a closer committee, although Estevez’s status is now uncertain after he injured his hand on that final play.

Se llevan la del honor. 👍
Final: #LosRockies 10, Rangers 6
🔢 https://t.co/2jllIfvMgf pic.twitter.com/V9CPV3arm3

— Rockies de Colorado (@LosRockies) August 16, 2020

If the injury does not force him to miss time, Estevez will be at the top of the committee with Daniel Bard and possibly Yency Almonte also in the mix.

 

Reliever On The Rise

•None