Bullpen Report: August 28, 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

•Richard Rodríguez, PIT: 26 pitches on Thursday | RosterResource

Nik Turley and Chris Stratton are candidates for a save chance on Friday.

•Taylor Williams, SEA: 29 pitches on Thursday | RosterResource

Yoshihisa Hirano is the most likely candidate for a save chance on Friday.

 

Injury News

•Keone Kela, PIT: Placed on 10-Day IL with forearm tightness. | RosterResource

After removing Kela from his last appearance on August 21, manager Derek Shelton said he was being overly cautious. Then he said Kela was available to pitch on August 25, although he wasn’t used. Two days later, he’s now on the injured list. This almost certainly takes him off of the trade block. And since the Pirates aren’t contenders, they probably won’t feel the need to bring him back in September unless they’re convinced that he’s completely healthy.

Rodriguez picked up his second save of the season in game one of Thursday’s double-header. He should continue to get the bulk of save chances. Stratton and Turley, who picked up a save in game two, could also be in the mix if the Pirates go with a committee.

•Andrew Miller, STL: Placed on 10-Day IL with shoulder fatigue. | RosterResource

The 35-year-old lefty, who made five appearances in nine days after the Cardinals returned to action on August 15, is now sidelined due to shoulder fatigue. This could give Giovanny Gallegos an opportunity to further separate himself as the team’s primary closer. If they go with a committee, Tyler Webb could take Miller’s spot as the left-hander in the group.

 

Outlier Saves

•Nik Turley, PIT | RosterResource

After Rodriguez had been used in game one, it was the left-hander Turley who got his first career MLB save in game two with a 1-2-3 seventh over the Cardinals. Since struggling in his first five appearances of the season (4.1 IP, 4 ER, 4 H 5 BB), the 30-year-old has not allowed an earned run in seven consecutive outings (7 IP, 0 ER, H, 2 BB, 7 K).

It’s definitely pushed him into a high-leverage role in the Pirates’ bullpen and it’s quite possible that this wasn’t the last save chance he’ll get in 2020.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•Taylor Williams, SEA | RosterResource

With one out to go, nobody on base, and a four-run lead in game one of Thursday’s double-header against the Padres, Williams was on the verge of his eighth consecutive scoreless outing. Instead, he allowed the next five batters to reach base on a hit batter, two walks, and a pair of singles, including one by Eric Hosmer to tie the game at seven. Dan Altavilla replaced Williams and promptly allowed a single to Jake Cronenworth and a walk-off three-run homer to Wil Myers.

The Padres lineup is dangerous and they can strike quickly. But the 29-year-old Williams, despite his strong numbers coming into this game (12 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 4 BB, 17 K, 6 Sv), has likely lost the trust of manager Scott Servais. That doesn’t mean he’s out of the closer’s job. But it means we can start thinking about who is next in line if he doesn’t bounce back in his next outing. My money is on Hirano, who has pitched three scoreless innings since being activated from the Injured List last week.

 

Reliever On The Rise

•None