Bullpen Report: August 27, 2022

The 2022 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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).

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Paul Sewald, SEA: Three of the last four days; 12 pitches on Friday.| RosterResource

Andrés Muñoz, Erik Swanson, and Diego Castillo should all be usable on Saturday if Sewald is out of commission.

•Brandon Hughes, CHC: 27 pitches on Friday.| RosterResource

Co-closer Rowan Wick didn’t pitch Friday so he should be available on Saturday.

•Tanner Scott, MIA: 29 pitches on Friday.| RosterResource

If Scott is even the closer still (more on that in the Losing A Grip section), he probably won’t be available Saturday. Dylan Floro, Cole Sulser, Steven Okert and Richard Bleier all should be.

•Edwin Díaz, NYM: 16 pitches on Friday; 16 pitches on Thursday.| RosterResource

Díaz has only pitched in three straight games once this year, and the Rockies probably aren’t the team to repeat that feat against. Adam Ottavino and Seth Lugo should both be available to close on Saturday.

 

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Dillon Tate, BAL | RosterResource

Félix Bautista threw 27 pitches on Tuesday and 18 on Thursday, so while he could’ve been available Friday, the Orioles elected to stay away from him. Lefty  Cionel Pérez was first out of the bullpen in the ninth, but he only retired two of the four batters faced, so the righty Tate was brought in to face former teammate Trey Mancini. Tate struck him out on three pitches for his third save of the season.

Tate’s got a 2.70 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 60 innings, so he should continue to be a valuable part of the Orioles bullpen this season and beyond.

•José Leclerc, TEX | RosterResource

This is a borderline Committee Clarity situation, and would have appeared in that section had Leclerc pitched better than he did to earn the save. But ultimately, in throwing 26 pitches and giving up a walk and a homer in a shaky inning, Leclerc probably stays outside the committee including Matt Moore and Jonathan Hernández for now. Leclerc did strike out three, however, and he’s now punched out 35 hitters in 33 innings in his first action off of Tommy John surgery.

•Manuel Rodríguez, CHC | RosterResource

How’s that for a first MLB appearance of the season, fresh off the 60-day IL? Rodríguez entered against the 2-3-4 hitters in the Brewers’ order with the zombie runner on second in the tenth, and though he had a two-run lead, it wouldn’t be easy to close out. Ultimately, the Brewers put three additional hitters on base, scoring a run with one out, but Jace Peterson grounded into a double play to end the game.

Rodríguez has the chance to work his way up in the Cubs’ unsettled bullpen as the season enters its final stretch.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•Tanner Scott, MIA | RosterResource

Scott’s been no stranger to this section all year, and Friday was another rough outing for him: two hits, a homer, two walks, and 16 of 29 pitches for strikes. The save chance was Scott’s sixth blown one of the season in 25 chances, and he’s walked nearly 16% of the batters he’s faced.

Scott’s managed to hold onto his job all season, but now may really be the time to pull the plug, especially with Dylan Floro continuing to pitch better as the season goes on.