Bullpen Report: August 22, 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.
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.
- 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.
- Injury News
- Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
- Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
- 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
•Jordan Romano, TOR: 16 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Adam Cimber, Tim Mayza, and Brad Hand are all candidates for a save opportunity on Sunday if Romano is unavailable.
•Scott Barlow, KCR: 8 pitches on Saturday, three of last four days. | RosterResource
Co-closer Jake Brentz is the likeliest option to get a save opportunity on Sunday if Barlow needs rest.
•Lou Trivino, OAK: 22 pitches on Saturday, three of last four days. | RosterResource
Setup man Jake Diekman has also pitched in back-to-back days, throwing 32 pitches in total. Yusmeiro Petit and Andrew Chafin are the only other closers in Oakland to record saves this season and should be the most likely to get a save chance if both Trivino and Diekman are unavailable.
•Ian Kennedy, PHI: 10 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Either Archie Bradley or Héctor Neris are likely candidates for a save if Kennedy needs rest.
•Mychal Givens, CIN: 17 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Things appear to be shifting back to a committee situation in the Reds bullpen (see “Committee Clarity” section), making Amir Garrett and Michael Lorenzen likely to fill the role if a save situation comes up on Sunday.
•Josh Hader, MIL: 24 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
Hader may still be available if Sunday’s game is close. If not, Devin Williams (18 pitches on Saturday) is likely to fill in.
•David Bednar, PIT: 10 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Chris Stratton has also pitched in back-to-back days, throwing 33 pitches in total. Fellow closer committee member Chasen Shreve is likely to get the opportunity on Sunday if one comes up.
•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 12 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource
Blake Treinen (22 pitches on Saturday) and Corey Knebel (11 pitches on Saturday) are likely to fill in for Jansen if he is unavailable.
•Mark Melancon, SDP: 30 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
Emilio Pagán or Daniel Hudson could get the save chance if Melancon is unavailable.
Injury News
•Diego Castillo, TBR: 10-Day IL, Right shoulder inflammation | RosterResource
Coming over at the trade deadline, Castillo recorded only one save in the month of August. Drew Steckenrider (2) and Paul Sewald (2) have recorded the others. We have had all three listed as a committee and shouldn’t expect that to change moving forward. However, Paul Sewald seems like the one most likely to get the lion’s share of opportunities.
Mariners have placed RHP DIego Castillo with right shoulder inflammation. And have recalled Robert Dugger.
— Ryan Divish (@RyanDivish) August 21, 2021
Outlier Saves
•Colin McHugh, TBR |Roster Resource
McHugh recorded his first save of the season on Saturday, blanking the White Sox in 1.2 innings. The Rays bullpen continues to go through tough times as it relates to injuries and McHugh along with JT Chargois and Andrew Kittredge should continue as a committee. This is one of the benefits of having such depth in the bullpen and not relying on one sole closer. McHugh has a 1.59 ERA in 39.2 innings pitched this season. He has also accumulated four wins along the way. He has been a reliable arm this season and should continue to see opportunities as part of the committee, just don’t force us to tell you exactly when and where it will happen.
Committee Clarity
•Michael Lorenzen, CIN | Roster Resource
In the month of August, the two Reds pitchers to record saves have been Michael Lorenzen (2) and Mychal Givens (4). Just when it seemed like Givens was running away with the job, Lorenzen had to come in and clean up on Saturday after Givens gave up two earned runs while walking two and giving up one hit in the eighth. While it seemed like Givens was being given the chance to earn a two-inning save, it didn’t go well. It seems like this has happened over and over again in Cincinnati this season and no one pitcher has really taken over the role with total confidence. Expect to see a committee moving forward with Lorenzen, Givens, and Amir Garrett as the members.
Losing a Grip
•None
Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.
You have Castillo listed as TBR…