Bullpen Report: July 24, 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

•Daniel Bard, COL: 38 pitches on Friday. |  RosterResource

Mychal Givens and Carlos Estévez are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if Bard isn’t available.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: Back-to-back days; 17 pitches on Friday. |  RosterResource

Steve Cishek and Mike Mayers are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if Iglesias isn’t available.

•Richard Rodríguez, PIT: 25 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

David Bednar is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Rodriguez isn’t available.

•Mark Melancon, SDP: 3 consecutive days; 15 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Emilio Pagán and Drew Pomeranz are likely candidates for a save chance on Friday if Melancon isn’t available.

•Pete Fairbanks, TBR: Back-to-back days; 18 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Diego Castillo is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday, especially if Fairbanks isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•Jonathan Loaisiga, NYY: Activated from COVID-19 IL. | RosterResource

At the height of Aroldis Chapman’s most recent string of bullpen implosions, Loaisiga had positioned himself as a candidate for save chances if the Yankees decided to make a change. But he tested positive for COVID-19 only a few days later and landed on the Injured List as Chapman was clearly losing his grip on the closer’s job. The following day, which was the last game of the first half, Chad Green could not take advantage of a golden opportunity. Pitching the ninth inning with a 7-2 lead over the Astros, he retired only one of seven batters and allowed a walk-off homer to Jose Altuve.

With Loaisiga out and Green failing to gain ground, Chapman has pitched four scoreless innings since the start of the second half and was successful in his lone save attempt. For now, his job is safe. Another blown save, however, and Loaisiga could be next in line.

 

Outlier Saves

•Keegan Thompson, CHC | RosterResource

A three-inning save, which Thompson accomplished in an 8-3 win over the Diamondbacks on Friday, would be completely meaningless on most occasions. The Cubs, however, are very likely to trade away their three best relievers prior to next Friday’s deadline, which would leave the team with plenty of uncertainty in the late innings. Dan Winkler and Rex Brothers would be the logical choices for save chances, with Rowan Wick, who is currently on a rehab assignment, also in the mix once he’s back from the Injured List.

But Thompson, who has a 2.27 ERA in 39 2/3, could also get a chance to pitch in a high-leverage role where he could, at the least, get an occasional save chance over the final two months of the season.

•Lucas Gilbreath, COL | RosterResource

It was “The Daniel Bard Experience” in the bottom of the ninth inning of Friday’s game at Dodger Stadium. After back-to-back singles, a wild pitch, and back-to-back walks to allow the Dodgers to tie the game at six, Bard struck out the next three batters to leave the bases loaded and send the game into extra innings. Three batters into the top of the tenth, the Rockies had taken a 9-6 lead and Gilbreath would be called on to protect it in the bottom half of the inning.

The 26-year-old lefty retired the side on eight pitches to pick up his first career save. He’s had a rough rookie season, posting a 6.62 ERA with 11 walks in 17 2/3, but he hasn’t allowed an earned run in ten of his last 12 appearances.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.