Bullpen Report: August 25, 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

•Brandon Kintzler, MIA: 3 of last 4 days; 16 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

With a double-header on Tuesday against the Mets, it’s likely that Kintzler will be available for one of the two games. Brad Boxberger and Richard Bleier could be save candidates for the other game.

•Taylor Rogers, MIN: Back-to-back days; 11 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Rogers and Sergio Romo have each worked in back-to-back games and probably ready to go if need for a third straight. If neither is available on Tuesday, the Twins could turn to Tyler Duffey in a save situation.

•Rafael Montero, TEX: 31 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Jonathan Hernández also had a high pitch count (25) on Monday after pitching on Sunday, so Joely Rodríguez and Luis Garcia are the likely candidates for a save chance on Tuesday.

 

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Daniel Bard, COL | RosterResource

The Rockies had lost seven straight games since manager Bud Black said he would be using a closer committee. On Monday, he finally had a chance to choose a closer with his team leading 3-2 in the ninth inning. It was Bard who got the call following 1.1 scoreless innings from Carlos Estévez. The 35-year-old Bard was impressive, sitting the Diamondbacks down in order on 12 pitches. He struck out Stephen Vogt to end the game, getting him to chase a curveball after throwing a 99 MPH fastball on the previous pitch.

Bard and Estevez have separated themselves as the most reliable relievers on the team. After Monday, the odds likely increased that Bard will eventually become the team’s primary closer.

 

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Reliever On The Rise

•Kyle Finnegan, WSN | RosterResource

For Finnegan to reach free agency after six years in the minors, the Oakland A’s had to leave him unprotected in the Rule 5 draft for three consecutive seasons (2016-18) and then one last time, after the 2019 season, choose not to add him to the 40-man roster. The Nationals, however, valued Finnegan enough to offer him a major league contract this past December — or maybe they had to offer it to him because of heavy interest around the league — which is rare for a player without one day of MLB service time. Thus far, it’s proven to be a smart move.

After a scoreless outing on Monday, Finnegan has 10.1 scoreless innings to begin his big league career. Most of his work has come in low-leverage situations, although he relieved Max Scherzer in the fifth inning of Saturday’s game with a one-run lead, bases loaded, two outs, and four runs in. He struck out Jorge Alfaro looking on the sixth consecutive fastball of the at-bat. The 28-year-old right-hander has been getting the job done, mostly on the strength of that that mid-nineties fastball and a wicked slider.

Kyle Finnegan, Wicked 88mph Slider (release/spin axis/slow) pic.twitter.com/hHxzQDZVHC

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) August 22, 2020