Bullpen Report: August 2, 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

•Ian Kennedy, PHI: 25 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

José Alvarado, Archie Bradley and Héctor Neris are all possibilities to close on Monday. It’ll be something of a bullpen day for the Phillies; Ranger Suárez is making his first start of the year and will be limited to three innings or so.

•Kyle Finnegan, WSN: Three of last four days; 15 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Wander Suero is likeliest to fill in for Finnegan. It’s slim pickings in the Nationals bullpen after trading Brad Hand and Daniel Hudson, as well as sending Tanner Rainey down on Sunday. Sam Clay and Andres Machado are also possibilities.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•None

Committee Clarity

•Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks, CHW| RosterResource

It’s probably too soon to make any real declarations about the White Sox’s closer situation, but it’s nonetheless worth noting that Kimbrel appeared in the eighth inning of a tie game on Sunday (against the bottom of the order) followed by Hendriks in the ninth (against the top of the order). Kimbrel did, however, pitch the top of the ninth down by a run on Saturday, so it remains a very fluid situation. Hendriks also has much more multi-inning experience than Kimbrel, which may make him a more attractive option for the seventh and/or eighth inning.

•The Rays | RosterResource

The Rays have more relievers on the IL (12) than they have active (eight), so the Rays really don’t have a closer right now as much as they have situational out-getters, although Andrew Kittredge and JT Chargois have performed the best this year of those healthy and as such probably will get more late-inning shots. Sunday’s situational relievers, though, were Drew Rasmussen (five outs), Ryan Sherriff (one) and Matt Wisler (three), tasked with hanging on to a two-run lead after Shane McClanahan delivered six solid innings. They completed their task, allowing just one run in three innings with Wisler earning his first save of the season.

Tampa Bay’s bullpen situation should get a little less murky in the coming days. Nick Anderson and Oliver Drake are on rehab assignments, and starter Chris Archer returning to the rotation would push a starter (most likely Michael Wacha or Josh Fleming) to relief. Collin McHugh won’t need a rehab assignment before returning on or around Friday, and J.P. Feyereisen’s injury is believed to be fairly minor, allowing him to return within the next week or two.

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.