Bullpen Report: July 5, 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.

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

•Matt Barnes, BOS: 33 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Adam Ottavino has already picked up six saves filling for Barnes this season as needed, and he ought to be the top pick to do so again if a situation presents itself on Monday.

•Gregory Soto, DET: 25 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Co-closer José Cisnero (who bailed out Soto with a one-pitch save on Sunday after Soto couldn’t close out a four-run lead) is much likelier than Soto to be available Monday. Cisnero has worked back-to-back days, but with just eight pitches total.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: Three straight days; 14 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Mike Mayers, Steve Cishek and Tony Watson are all possibilities to pitch the ninth on Monday.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 16 pitches on Sunday; 18 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen (who’s also worked back-to-back days), Victor González and Jimmy Nelson are all options to take the ball in the ninth if needed.

•Yimi García, MIA: 38 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Dylan Floro, Anthony Bender and Anthony Bass are the best bets to get a save chance on Monday in place of García, who surely won’t be available.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Brooks Raley 레일리, HOU | RosterResource

Sunday was just a day off for Ryan Pressly, who had worked three games in a row for the Astros. Pressly’s top setup man, Ryne Stanek, pitched on Friday and Saturday, so it doesn’t appear he was available either. Raley was tasked with stranding the extra-innings ghost runner with just a one-run lead in the tenth, and he helped himself out with a big play in the field. Roberto Pérez attempted a sacrifice bunt leading off the bottom of the tenth for Cleveland, but popped the bunt just high enough in the air for Raley to step forward, make the catch and fire a quick, accurate throw to second to finish off the double play. Raley had to face just one more batter to finish off his second save of the season.

It’s been a struggle for Raley this season (5.93 ERA), though he’s really probably been more unlucky than bad, with a 2.79 FIP and high .363 BABIP both signs that some positive regression could be in the offing. Raley should continue to be one of Dusty Baker’s top setup men in an Astros bullpen awash with injury. Bryan Abreu, Pedro Báez, Josh James, Austin Pruitt and Joe Smith are all on the IL, though all but Báez have commenced rehab assignments.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•Hansel Robles, MIN | RosterResource

Even when given a six-run lead to work with on Sunday, Robles made things interesting, allowing two runs before shutting the door on the Royals in the ninth. Robles has now been scored upon in each of his last four appearances, allowing eight runs (all earned) while recording just ten outs, ballooning his ERA from 2.76 on June 20th to the 4.50 it is now.

Taylor Rogers keeps chugging along and Tyler Duffey has allowed just three runs since the beginning of June (a 12-inning span), so Robles is on shaky footing in a fluid closing situation.

•Aroldis Chapman, NYY | RosterResource

Another appearance, another meltdown for Chapman, who gave up a home run to Pete Alonso in Game 1 of the Yankees’ Sunday doubleheader, blowing the save. He then allowed the next two hitters to reach before being pulled. Once both runners came around to score, Chapman’s ERA blew up to 4.71. In his past nine appearances, Chapman’s been able to log just 5.2 innings, allowing 15 runs (14 earned), 14 hits, and nine walks, while striking out just six batters. Oh, and he’s also allowed four home runs and hit a man.

It seems like well past time to give Chapman a low-leverage reset, with Chad Green and/or Jonathan Loaisiga the top options to take his place.