Bullpen Report: August 31, 2021

The 2021 version of Bullpen Report includes five 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.

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

•Josh Hader, MIL: Back-to-back days; 14 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Devin Williams and Brad Boxberger have also pitched back-to-back days. Hader will likely be available on Tuesday.

•Alex Colomé, MIN: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 23 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Tyler Duffey and Juan Minaya are likely candidates for a save chance on Tuesday if Colomé isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•Matt Barnes, BOS: Placed on COVID-19 IL | RosterResource

Barnes was recently removed from the closer’s role — Adam Ottavino got the Red Sox’s last two save chances — and now his chances of taking the job back anytime soon are gone now that’s he’ll miss at least the next 10 days.

Barnes not merely on the list, but he has also tested positive. That means he is out a minimum of 10 days. https://t.co/vtjxMm4umn

— Ian Browne (@IanMBrowne) August 30, 2021

If Ottavino, or some combination of Red Sox relievers, can close out games without any issues while Barnes is out, it could be difficult for him to regain the closer’s job before the end of the regular season.

•Joe Barlow, TEX: Activated from 10-Day IL | RosterResource

After missing the minimum ten days on the Injured List due to a blister on his finger, Barlow picked up where he left off with a 1-2-3 ninth inning to close out a 4-3 win over the Rockies and pick up his third save. The 25-year-old rookie, who has allowed only two earned runs in 17 2/3 innings, appears to have a strong hold on the Rangers’ closer’s job.

 

Outlier Saves

•Blake Treinen, LAD | RosterResource

Kenley Jansen was likely unavailable after pitching on Saturday and Sunday, so it was Treinen who closed things out with a four-out save to preserve a 5-3 win over the Braves. It was Treinen’s fifth save, as well as the 27th time in his last 28 appearances that he didn’t allow an earned run.

•José Alvarado, PHI | RosterResource

With Ian Kennedy unavailable — he had pitched or warmed up in six consecutive games — Alvarado got the call with a 7-4 lead over the Nationals in the ninth. A leadoff double and a walk brought the tying run to the plate, but the 26-year-old lefty retired the next three batters to close things out and pick up his fifth save. He also has six wins and 11 holds in 2021.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•Alex Reyes, STL | RosterResource

Following Reyes’ third blown save in his last five outings on Sunday, Cardinals’ manager Mike Shildt announced that the team would be using a closer committee based on matchups.

Who saves? #Cardinals will be turning the ninth inning over to … matchups. Gallegos. Garcia. Cabrera. McFarland. And Reyes. Closer will be based less on targeting the ninth for one individual and using a relay of relieves based on matchups.

— Derrick S. Goold (@dgoold) August 30, 2021

On Monday, Shildt decided that Giovanny Gallegos was the Cardinals’ best option to face Reds’ hitters Nick Castellanos, Joey Votto, and Kyle Farmer with a 3-1 lead in the ninth inning. And he was right. The 30-year-old right-hander pitched a perfect inning, including a strikeout of Votto, to pick up his third save. Since allowing three earned runs in back-to-back games on August 4 and August 5, Gallegos has allowed only one run over his last 9 1/3 innings.

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.