Bullpen Report: August 30, 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.

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).

Notable Workloads

•None

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Tim Mayza, TOR | RosterResource

Jordan Romano did brilliant work on Saturday, pitching two scoreless innings on only 20 pitches to earn the win. That performance left him out of commission on Saturday, though, so the Blue Jays went to Adam Cimber and Mayza for the final two innings after José Berrios’ seven stellar innings. Cimber got the first two outs of the eighth before giving up a single to Miguel Cabrera and giving way to Mayza. Mayza gave up a single with two outs in the ninth but shut the door on the very next batter, earning his first career save.

Committee Clarity

•Andrew Chafin, OAK | RosterResource

The A’s are backing off of Lou Trivino as their primary closer for the time being, preferring to mix-and-match after Trivino took losses in three straight appearances, with two blown saves as well. Sergio Romo has already earned a save in Trivino’s stead, and on Sunday it was the lefty Chafin’s turn. The trade deadline acquisition made quick work of the Yankees, striking out two and throwing just nine pitches. It appears that Chafin is the lefty reliever of choice for Bob Melvin, ahead of Jake Diekman.

Losing A Grip

•Alex Reyes, STL | RosterResource

Reyes is having a disastrous month, punctuated by the three-run walk-off homer he gave up to Yoshi Tsutsugo on Sunday. All told, he’s given up 14 runs (nine earned) in 10.1 innings, allowing three homers, walking six and hitting a batter. Reyes’ walk rate has been troubling all season, but the homers were a non-issue until August 12, when he allowed his third of the season, and he’s allowed two more since.

It doesn’t seem like the Cardinals are fully committed to removing Reyes from the closer’s role, but it’s definitely something under consideration. If he needs a reset, Giovanny Gallegos is the best option to step in, with Génesis Cabrera also a solid choice from the left side. Gallegos has had a heavy workload (64.2 innings over 57 appearances) so restricting him to a traditional closing role may actually help keep him fresh if that’s the route the Cardinals want to take.

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.