Bullpen Report: July 20, 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

•Joakim Soria, ARI: 3 consecutive days; 23 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Noé Ramirez is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday if Soria isn’t available.

•Lou Trivino, OAK: 32 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Jake Diekman is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday if Trivino isn’t available.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Trevor May, NYM | RosterResource

The Mets were likely hoping to avoid using May for a third consecutive day, but circumstances changed when a Reds’ 11th inning rally threatened to extend a wild game that was closing in on five hours with 26 runs scored and 14 pitchers used. With a 15-11 lead, one out, and two runners on base, May entered to record the final two outs and lock down his 3rd save.

The 31-year-old May has allowed a run in only one of his last 14 appearances, potentially putting him in position to take on a bigger role if the Mets decide to remove the struggling Edwin Díaz from the closer’s role.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•Edwin Díaz, NYM | RosterResource

Three consecutive blown saves will put even the best closers in baseball on the hot seat. And that’s exactly what’s happened here with Díaz, who entered the final game before the All-Star break with a 2.86 ERA, 19 saves in 20 chances, and 48 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. But he took a blown loss and save against the Pirates on that day and then allowed a walkoff grand slam to Pirates’ catcher Jacob Stallings in his first appearance of the second half on Saturday. On Monday, he couldn’t hold a 9-8 lead, allowing a game-tying double to Jesse Winker with two outs in the ninth.

While the Mets aren’t likely to make any major changes following three bad outings, their group of veteran relievers could at least give them an opportunity to take a step back with Díaz and give him a few lower-leverage outings to get back on track. Seth Lugo and May would be the leading candidates for save chances, although a committee could also include Miguel Castro, Jeurys Familia, and lefty Aaron Loup.

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.