Bullpen Report: July 27, 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

•Matt Barnes, BOS: Back-to-back days; 9 pitches on Monday. |  RosterResource

Adam Ottavino is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday if Barnes isn’t available.

•Craig Kimbrel, CHC: Back-to-back days; 28 pitches on Monday. |  RosterResource

Ryan Tepera is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday if Kimbrel isn’t available.

•Heath Hembree, CIN: 23 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Amir Garrett is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday, especially if Hembree isn’t available.

•Gregory Soto, DET: 42 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

José Cisnero is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday, especially if Soto isn’t available.

•Scott Barlow, KCR: 23 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Greg Holland is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday, especially if Barlow isn’t available.

•Edwin Díaz, NYM: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 14 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

There aren’t many fresh options in the Mets’ bullpen, meaning that there’s a strong likelihood that Diaz will once again be available on Tuesday.

•Brad Hand, WSN: Back-to-back days; 13 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Daniel Hudson has pitched three consecutive days and Kyle Finnegan has also pitched back-to-back days. Sam Clay and Wander Suero are likely candidates for a save chance on Tuesday if neither of the aforementioned options is available.

 

Injury News

•Taylor Rogers, MIN: Left Monday’s game (sprained middle finger). | RosterResource

Rogers left Monday’s game after only five pitches with a finger injury. The Twins’ closer situation was very likely to have a shakeup before Friday’s trade deadline — co-closers Rogers and Hansel Robles are both trade candidates — and this latest development isn’t likely to decrease the chances of it happening. But the question is now whether Rogers is traded or whether he sticks around while missing some time. In any case, there aren’t any obvious candidates ready to step in as the closer if neither Robles nor Rogers were on the roster at some point. Tyler Duffey might be the best option.

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•Brad Hand, WSN | RosterResource

Not only is Hand in danger of losing the Nationals’ closer’s job due to his latest struggles, his trade value is also taking a hit at the worst possible time. After blowing his third save in his last five appearances on Monday — he allowed a walk-off, three-run homer to Andrew McCutchen — the 31-year-old lefty likely seems less appealing to playoff contenders than he would have prior to the All-Star break. His numbers are still good overall and many teams could still see plenty of value in a non-closer role, but it’s no longer a certainty that’s he’ll be traded.

While Hudson is the obvious choice to step in as the Nationals’ closer if Hand is removed from the role, he could also be traded this week. And if he’s dealt, that would leave Voth, Finnegan, and Tanner Rainey (currently on a rehab assignment) as the leading candidates for save chances.

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.