Bullpen Report: July 4th, 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.

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.)

Notable Workloads

•James Karinchak, CLE: 37 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Emmanuel Clase is the most likely candidate for a save opportunity if one comes up.

•Scott Barlow, KCR: 16 pitches on Saturday, 3 days in a row. | RosterResource

The entire bullpen was used last night and all are on “High Usage Alert” except for Josh Staumont, making him a likely candidate for a save opportunity if Barlow and Holland both need rest.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: 10 pitches on Saturday, 3 days in a row. | RosterResource

Ryne Stanek is also on “High Usage Alert” after going back-to-back days and throwing 14 pitches last night. If he and Pressly are both unavailable, Blake Taylor is a likely candidate to get the call in a save situation.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: 10 pitches on Saturday, 3 of last 4 days. | RosterResource

Steve Cishek has also appeared in 3 of the last 4 days but only threw 9 pitches on Saturday. If he and Iglesias need rest on Sunday, then Tony Watson is a likely candidate for a save opportunity.

•Lou Trivino, OAK: 13 pitches on Saturday, 3 of last 4 days. | RosterResource

The only member of the pen not used in a 12 inning game on Saturday night was middle-reliever Burch Smith. However, Jake Diekman only threw 4 pitches and is a likely candidate for a save opportunity if Trivino needs rest.

•Daniel Bard, COL: 13 pitches on Saturday, 3 of last 4 days. | RosterResource

First up for a save chance candidate Carlos Estévez threw 31 pitches in Saturday’s game. That makes Tyler Kinley a likely candidate for a save opportunity if Bard and Estévez are unavailable.

 

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•None

Committee Clarity

•Heath Hembree, CIN | RosterResource

Each of the three pitchers who were written about in the “Committee Clarity” section of Jason Martinez’s report from yesterday capitalized on save opportunities once again on Saturday. Hembree now has two saves in two days. In each appearance, he gave up no runs, one hit, and recorded two strikeouts. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the committee is gone in Cincinnati, but it does appear that Hembree will continue to get opportunities.

•Scott Barlow, KCR | RosterResource

Last night in Kansas City saw Josh Staumon give up one hit, no walks, and no runs in the sixth inning. In the eighth, Greg Holland gave up one hit, no walks, and one run (home run). Scott Barlow came into the ninth with the lead and closed the door to record the save, giving up one hit, no walks, and no runs. The committee remains, but it appears that Barlow is getting more opportunities and retaining more confidence to close out the game for the Royals.

•Ranger Suárez, PHI | RosterResource

Suárez is now listed as a “Reliever on the Rise” on the closer depth chart. Last night in Philadelphia Archie Bradley pitched in the eighth and Suárez closed the door on the Padres in the ninth. He needed just 13 pitches to get the job done while facing three batters. Comments from Girardi still point to a committee situation, but Suárez is certainly making a case to be moved to the top of the list.

Joe Girardi said Jose Alvarado was available to pitch tonight, but he chose Ranger Suarez to close. Would he consider Suarez again in that role? "Of course. I’ve considered everything. … We will continue to discuss this. I liked what I saw."

— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 4, 2021

 

Losing a Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.