Bullpen Report: August 6, 2023

The 2023 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

•Aaron Bummer, CHW: 43 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Next in line, Bryan Shaw is also on “High Usage Alert” as he threw 20 pitches on Saturday and 11 on Friday. The likeliest to appear in a save situation on Sunday is Jimmy Lambert.

•Andrés Muñoz, SEA: 33 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Matt Brash has also been used in back-to-back days making Justin Topa likely to be given a save opportunity.

•Craig Kimbrel, PHI: 23 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Gregory Soto should be available to close out a game if necessary.

•Kyle Finnegan, WSN: 11 pitches on Saturday, back-t0-back days. | RosterResource

Heavy usage in the pen last night against the Reds led to Finnegan, Jordan Weems, and Andrés Machado all throwing in back-to-back days. That leaves middle relievers like Jose A. Ferrer and Amos Willingham as likely to be used in relief on Sunday.

•Adbert Alzolay, CHC: 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

There’s a lot of “High Usage Alert” blue in the Cubs pen as Alzolay, Julian Merryweather, Michael Fulmer, and Daniel Palencia recorded high pitch totals on Saturday. Mark Leiter Jr. had the lowest pitch count of all on Saturday and should still be available on Sunday.

•David Bednar, PIT: 14 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Both setup men Colin Holderman and Carmen Mlodzinski should be available on Sunday.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Beau Brieske, DET | RosterResource

The Tigers’ closer Alex Lange had trouble with command as he walked the first two batters he faced in the top of the ninth with a two-run lead. After walking Christian Bethancourt 베탄코트 and then Josh Lowe, he forced a groundout to Yandy Díaz and his defense collected two outs on the double play. Just when things were going well, Lange walked Wander Franco for his third free base in the inning. That’s when Beau Brieske came in to record a swinging strikeout against Isaac Paredes. Brieske is a 25-year-old righty whose player page “Prospect TLDR” reads:

Brieske graduated looking like a potential no. 4/5 starter.

He has made eight appearances in the year and only one of them was a start where he mostly served as a two-inning opener, gave up three hits, and recorded two strikeouts with no walks or runs. As a reliever, he has thrown seven innings with a 3.86 ERA, a 10.29 K/9, and a 1.29 BB/9. For now, he seems to be earning trust and building up innings as a major leaguer in the bullpen.

Committee Clarity

•None