Bullpen Report: August 29, 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

•Emilio Pagán, SDP: 26 pitches on Friday | RosterResource

Pagan had four days off leading up to the team’s four-game series in Colorado, so he should be good to go again on Saturday. The Padres might try to stay away from him, especially if his calf is sore after he was hit with a comebacker on Friday, but it’s normally “all hands on deck” at Coors Field.

 

Injury News

•Jordan Romano, TOR: Left Friday’s game with a middle finger injury. | RosterResource

Romano entered Friday’s game in the eighth inning with his team holding a 3-2 over the Orioles. After getting two quick outs, he allowed a game-tying homer to Renato Nuñez. Before he could face another batter, the 27-year-old Romano was removed with a finger injury.

Charlie Montoyo says that Jordan Romano is going through tests.

“It wasn’t a blister. It was a right middle finger injury.” #BlueJays

— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) August 29, 2020

Anthony Bass will likely be the primary closer while Romano is out, although Ken Giles could also be in the mix in the near future. He is working his way back from an elbow injury and could be activated by next weekend.

#BlueJays news and notes from Charlie Montoyo pre-game session:
– Taijuan Walker to debut tomorrow
– Ken Giles threw second side, barring setback will begin live BPs with potential for return as soon as late next week
– Nate Pearson played catch at 60 ft today, up to 90 tomorrow

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) August 28, 2020

 

Outlier Saves

•Adam Plutko, CLE | RosterResource

In his first appearance since being sent back to the bullpen after getting roughed up in his last start (3.1 IP, 7 ER), Plutko pitched four scoreless innings to pick up the save in a 14-2 win over the Cardinals. He now has two career saves. The other one came after another four-inning outing to close out a 19-4 win.

 

Committee Clarity

•Diego Castillo, TBR | RosterResource

Two saves in two games for a Rays pitcher! After picking up his first save of 2020 on Wednesday, Castillo pitched a scoreless ninth to close out a 2-0 win over the Marlins on Saturday.

While picking out who will get the next save for Tampa Bay isn’t easy, it’s safe to say that Castillo and Pete Fairbanks are probably the team’s most reliable relievers at this time. But that just means that manager Kevin Cash won’t hesitate to use them in the sixth or seventh innings if necessary. On Friday, starter Ryan Yarbrough happened to pitch 6.2 innings and Fairbanks and Castillo got the next seven outs, which just happened to coincide with the end of the game.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Reliever On The Rise

•None