Bullpen Report: July 7, 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: 27 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Ryan Burr, Codi Heuer, Garrett Crochet and Michael Kopech are all options to substitute for the AL’s saves leader.

•Aroldis Chapman, NYY: 24 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Chapman’s hold on the closer job is tenuous at best—he pitched with a 12-1 lead on Tuesday—so Chad Green and Jonathan Loaisiga may be better bets to pitch the ninth on Wednesday even if Chapman is available.

•Yimi García, MIA: Three of last four days; 22 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Anthony Bender, who picked up a save in García’s place on Monday, remains the top option to fill in.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Justin Miller, STL | RosterResource

All-Star closer Alex Reyes had worked back-to-back days on 33 pitches total, so he evidently wasn’t available. The veteran Miller, who was just claimed off waivers from the Nationals on July 2nd, was tasked with getting out of Génesis Cabrera’s jam after the hard-throwing lefty allowed two of his three batters faced to reach, leaving the Giants with runners on the corners with just one out in a one-run game.

Miller was up to the task, needing just six pitches to induce a pop up and grounder to end the game, earning his first save since 2018 and the fourth of his career. This save doesn’t change Miller’s status as more of a middle reliever than a setup man, with Cabrera, Giovanny Gallegos (who had worked back-to-back days and apparently wasn’t available either), Ryan Helsley, etc. all ahead of Miller for save opportunities.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None