Bullpen Report: August 21, 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

•Carlos Estevez, COL: 23 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

After escaping injury when he was hit by a line drive on Tuesday, Estevez returned to action with two scoreless innings on Thursday. The heavy workload makes it less likely that he’ll pitch on Friday, which likely makes Daniel Bard the team’s leading candidate for a save chance.

•Liam Hendriks, OAK: Back-to-back days; 15 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Hendriks only threw 15 pitches on each of the last two days, so he’ll likely be available if needed on Friday when the team begins a series against the Angels. If not, Joakim Soria could get a save chance.

 

Injury News

•Pedro Baez, LAD: Placed on the 10-Day IL with a strained groin. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen has solidified his role as the primary setup man, but Brusdar Graterol could now play a bigger part with Baez out.

•Corey Knebel, MIL: Placed on the 10-Day IL with a strained hamstring. | RosterResource

He had already fallen behind David Phelps and Devin Williams on the depth chart and now he’ll miss at least the next 10 days.

•Zack Britton, NYY: Placed on the 10-Day IL with a strained hamstring. | RosterResource

The Yankees are still in decent shape with Adam Ottavino and Chad Green setting up for Aroldis Chapman, but they’ll need some help. Out of the remaining options in the bullpen, Jonathan Loaisiga is probably the most capable of stepping into a higher leverage role.

•Drew Pomeranz, SDP: Day-to-day with shoulder tightness | RosterResource

With a one-run lead in the ninth inning on Thursday, Emilio Pagan got the save chance. Even before he allowed a game-tying homer to the first batter he faced, Pomeranz’s absence was peculiar. Manager Jayce Tingler confirmed after the game, however, that the left-hander was unavailable due to shoulder tightness. Other than Pomeranz, the Padres’ bullpen has been awful. If he is out for an extended period of time, it wouldn’t be a surprise if general manager A.J. Preller aggressively pursued some help on the trade market.

Outlier Saves

•A.J. Cole, TOR | RosterResource

Jordan Romano pitched in game one of Thursday’s double-header, Rafael Dolis threw 20 pitches on Wednesday, and Anthony Bass was likely getting another day off after throwing 46 pitches combined on Monday and Tuesday. Therefore, the Blue Jays would have to finish off the double-header sweep over the Phillies without either of their three best relievers.

Anthony Kay had a chance to close things out in a non-save situation — he entered the game with his team trailing — picking up two quick outs in the last inning with his team ahead 9-7. But he was removed after allowing a single and double and replaced by A.J. Cole, who is having a terrific season with only one run allowed in 10.2 innings. He was greeted by an infield single by J.T. Realmuto, bringing the Phillies within one run, but he struck out Roman Quinn to end the game and pick up his third career save.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Reliever On The Rise

•None