Bullpen Report: August 21, 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

•Gregory Soto, DET: 32 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

José Cisnero and Michael Fulmer are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday, especially if Soto isn’t available.

•Lou Trivino, OAK: Back-to-back days; 10 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Jake Diekman is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Trivino isn’t available.

•Ian Kennedy, PHI: 30 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Archie Bradley (40 pitches) and Héctor Neris (31 pitches) also had high pitch counts on Friday. Connor Brogdon and JD Hammer are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if Kennedy, Bradley, and Neris are all unavailable.

•Andrew Kittredge, TBR: 32 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

JT Chargois and Collin McHugh are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday, especially if Kittredge isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•Joe Barlow, TEX: Placed on 10-Day IL (blister) | RosterResource

Seventeen appearances into his MLB career, Barlow had posted a 1.08 ERA and appeared to have a stronghold on the closer’s job after logging his first two saves over the past weekend. But his rookie season is now on hold as he’ll miss at least the next 10 days due to a blister on his middle finger.

Spencer Patton will presumably step back in as the closer, although Nick Snyder could enter the mix quickly if his first few outings go well. He was called up on Friday after a quick stop in Triple-A. The 25-year-old, who can light up the radar gun with a 100 MPH fastball, had a 1.65 ERA in 16 1/3 innings for Double-A Frisco with one walk and 25 strikeouts.

Outlier Saves

•Ryan Tepera, CHW | RosterResource

By the time a save opportunity arose in the bottom of the 11th inning of Friday’s game versus the Rays, the White Sox had already used Craig Kimbrel and Liam Hendriks. Thus, it was Tepera who got a chance to pick up his first save since being acquired from the Cubs in late July. He made quick work of the Rays, retiring Brett Phillips on a flyout before striking out Yandy Díaz and Ji-Man Choi to close out the 7-5 win.

 

Committee Clarity

•Mychal Givens, CIN| RosterResource

Michael Lorenzen picking up a save on August 4, followed by the August 8 return of Lucas Sims, who had seven saves prior to landing on the Injured List, were strong indications that the Reds would be utilizing a closer committee. But that does not appear to be the case as Givens has picked up the last four saves, the latest coming on Friday in the team’s 5-3 win over the Marlins.

The 31-year-old has not allowed a run in 9 1/3 innings since he was acquired from the Rockies prior to the trade deadline. Not even the return of Tejay Antone — he’s expected to make what could be his final rehab appearance on Sunday — is likely to change the team’s closer situation. Givens should continue to be the team’s primary option for save chances as long as he continues to get the job done.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.