Bullpen Report: July 29, 2023

The 2023 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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).

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Gregory Santos, CHW: 17 pitches on Friday; 16 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

The Sox’s apparent new closer post-Kendall Graveman trade might not be available to reprise his role Saturday, which leaves Aaron Bummer and Keynan Middleton (if he’s not traded) as the best bets.

•Jhoan Duran, MIN: 25 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Griffin Jax, Emilio Pagan, and new acquisition Dylan Floro ought to be available Saturday.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: 25 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Romano left the game with back tightness, so he probably wouldn’t be available on Saturday regardless of pitch count. Erik Swanson, Yimi García, and Tim Mayza should all be good to go.

•Adbert Alzolay, CHC: 23 pitches on Friday, also pitched Wednesday and Tuesday. | RosterResource

Mark Leiter Jr., Julian Merryweather, Michael Fulmer, and youngster Daniel Palencia could all close.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Yimi García, TOR | RosterResource

As mentioned above, closer Jordan Romano had to exit the game with back tightness, which led García to clean up his bases-loaded jam. That was no problem for García, who needed just a couple pitches to retire Mickey Moniak and end the game for his third save of the season. Yimi’s been quietly excellent after a slow start to the year, with a 1.96 ERA in 20 appearances since June 1st,

•A.J. Puk, MIA | RosterResource

This outlier save is really a technicality, as Puk has been closing for the Marlins all season and new acquisition David Robertson just hasn’t reported yet. Puk’s struggles continued, as he did lock down the game but allowed a run, raising his ERA to 4.59. He probably won’t even be Robertson’s top setup man with Tanner Scott pitching so well, and might need some time to reset in a middle relief role.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•Scott Barlow, KCR | RosterResource

I’ve been writing about Barlow ad nauseam for the last few weeks now, but the man keeps giving up runs on the days that I write the Bullpen Report, so he’s once again worth mentioning. Two more runs and another blown save on Friday ballooned his ERA to 5.50, and his struggles have taken him to a point where he might not be all that coveted at the Trade Deadline. Carlos Hernández’s stuff is too good to ignore and it might finally (and I’ve also said this ad nauseam!) be time to give Barlow a break.