Bullpen Report: July 12, 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

•Matt Foster, CHW | RosterResource

Liam Hendriks faltered for a rare occasion on Sunday, surrendering a two-out, two-run homer to Trey Mancini that tied the game in the ninth. The White Sox took the lead on an Adam Engel homer in the following half-inning, and José Ruiz was brought on to shut the door. But Ruiz allowed the ghost runner to score before handing the ball to Foster, who retired both batters he faced. It was Foster’s first career save.

•Josh Osich, CIN | RosterResource

Heath Hembree had worked awfully hard lately for the Reds, pitching in four of Cincinnati’s last five games leading up to the All-Star break, and Brad Brach threw 24 pitches yesterday so he may not have been available either. So the closing duties fell on Osich on Sunday, and he had no problem retiring the bottom of the Brewers’ order without allowing a baserunner. Osich’s 0.87 ERA has been helped along by a .160 BABIP, but nonetheless he’s been a shot in the arm to a beleaguered Reds bullpen. And now, he has his first career save.

Committee Clarity

•Ranger Suárez, PHI | RosterResource

It was a Herculean effort for Suárez on Sunday, who needed 45 pitches (just two off his season high) to record seven game-ending outs. The excellent performance was the lefty’s second save of the season, and lowered his ERA to 0.77, though FIP (3.11) is a bit less rosy on his work this season. Nonetheless, he’s easily Joe Girardi’s most trusted bullpen option.

Suárez may not be the closer right now, but having had to cycle Héctor Neris, José Alvarado and (to an extent) Archie Bradley through the job, Suárez definitely has the tightest hold and is really the only back-end bullpen option pulling his weight.

Losing A Grip

•Aroldis Chapman, NYY | RosterResource

Chapman’s last appearance was scoreless, and that’s really the nicest thing that can be said about him right now. He wasn’t even warming up on Sunday as Domingo Germán and Chad Green “teamed up” to allow six runs to the Astros in the ninth, with Lucas Luetge in the bullpen instead. It’s been a nightmarish season for Chapman, whose recent struggles have ballooned his ERA to 4.55 and dropped his strikeout rate below 40%.

Green is the best option to take over as closer, despite his rough outing on Sunday. Jonathan Loaisiga is a factor as well, but he’s currently on the COVID-related IL, with no specific reason disclosed. It’s unsure when he’ll be back. Luis Cessa and Luetge are dark horse options to chip in as well.

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.