Bullpen Report: August 7, 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

•Brandon Kintzler, MIA: Three consecutive days; 15 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Brad Boxberger and Richard Bleier are candidates for a save chance on Friday versus the Mets.

•Hector Neris, PHI: Back-to-back days; 27 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Neris only threw one pitch on Wednesday, but it’s the 27 he threw on Thursday that puts his availability in doubt on Friday versus the Braves. Tommy Hunter and Adam Morgan would appear to be the most likely candidates for a save chance if Neris can’t go.

 

Injury News

•Will Smith, ATL | RosterResource

Despite signing Smith to a three-year, $40 million contract early in free agency, the Braves declared Mark Melancon as their closer during Spring Training in March. But there was no doubt that Smith, who saved 34 games while posting a 2.76 ERA and 13.2 K/9 for the Giants in 2019, would get at least the occasional save chance even if he didn’t take the job from Melancon. After missing Summer Camp, the 31-year-old will now likely have to make two or three lower-leverage outings before he takes over as the team’s primary setup man.

Outlier Saves

•None

 

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•Craig Kimbrel, CHC | RosterResource

In his first “garbage time” appearance on the season — the Cubs were trailing 12-0 to the Royals in the eighth inning — Kimbrel allowed a triple, walk, and RBI single before settling down and retiring the next three batters in order. The 32-year-old, who the team is working with on his mechanics, still has a long ways to go before manager David Ross can trust him again.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU | RosterResource

Slowed by elbow soreness, Pressly didn’t make his first appearance until the Astros’ eighth game of the season. And it didn’t go all that well. He allowed a run on two hits and a walk before he was removed with two outs. By the time he made his second appearance on Thursday, he was the team’s closer “by default” with Roberto Osuna out indefinitely with an elbow injury. In to protect a 4-3 lead in the ninth, the 31-year-old walked the leadoff hitter before a pair of singles loaded the bases. Kole Calhoun followed with a walk-off double.

As long as Pressly, an All-Star in 2019, is healthy, he’ll likely get a chance to bounce back. The lone non-rookie in the bullpen is Josh James, who was an integral part of the team’s 2019 bullpen. He was just moved out of the rotation, however, after walking 11 batters in six innings over two starts. Needless to say, he’s not an immediate option to close out games. If there is an Astros reliever who can be trusted with the game on the line at this point, it’s lefty Blake Taylor, who has 10 strikeouts over 8.2 scoreless innings.

Reliever On The Rise

•Rafael Dolis, TOR | RosterResource

As teammate Jordan Romano continues to be one of the most impressive relief pitchers in baseball — he has not allowed a run or hit in six innings — Dolis is quietly making a smooth transition back to the major leagues after pitching for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan over the past four seasons.

When he last pitched in the majors way back in 2013 with the Cubs, Dolis threw a fastball and slider. Seven years later, he still throws a fastball and slider, both at around the same speed (94 MPH fastball, 83 MPH slider). But he’s added a new pitch to his repertoire — a mid-80’s split-fingered fastball that he’s thrown about 20% of the time.

That splitter from Rafael Dolis *chef's kiss* pic.twitter.com/2ZnDzDbtDk

— Ian Hunter (@BlueJayHunter) July 22, 2020

 

The 32-year-old Dolis has allowed just one earned run over five innings, including four strikeouts and three holds. He’s not going to move past Romano as the team’s “next-in-line” for save opportunities, but he should continue to get high-leverage work in the seventh and eighth innings.