Bullpen Report: June 1, 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

•Paul Fry, BAL: 16 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Cole Sulser is listed as a “Reliever on the Rise” and is a likely candidate for a save opportunity on Tuesday if Fry and César Valdez (10 pitches on Monday) are unavailable.

•James Karinchak, CLE: 25 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Co-closer Emmanuel Clase recorded the save in game two of Monday’s doubleheader on 10 pitches. The Cleveland pen seems a little overused as of late as four of their five relievers are on  “High Usage Alert”. Clase is the least taxed of the co-closers while Bryan Shaw and Nick Wittgren are likely candidates for save opportunities should Karinchak and Clase need rest on Tuesday.

•Greg Holland, KCR: 14 pitches on Monday, two of last three days. | RosterResource

With Josh Staumont on the IL the closer committee in Kansas City remains in place. Scott Barlow and Kyle Zimmer are likely candidates for a save opportunity if Holland is unavailable.

•Josh Hader, MIL: 14 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Devin Williams was unavailable on Monday (more in the Injury News section) and it is unclear if he will be available on Tuesday. Brent Sutter is a likely candidate for a save opportunity if Hader is unavailable.

Injury News

•Devin Williams, MIL | Roster Resource

Manager Craig Counsell was not specific about the issue, but it was enough to make Williams unavailable on Monday. The Brewers have an off-day on Wednesday, so it seems likely Williams could rest again on Tuesday. While there is no real “injury news” to speak of, this is something to keep an eye on. The Brewers’ setup man has recorded zero saves while blowing three but has seven holds on the year.

Devin Williams was down today, Craig Counsell confirmed postgame. Didn't specify the issue.

"Devin was a ‘no’ today. He just didn’t feel good today, so we stayed away from him."

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 31, 2021

Outlier Saves

•Aaron Bummer, CHW  | RosterResource

With Liam Hendriks landing in the “Notable Workloads” section the past two days in a row, Bummer came into the bottom of the eighth inning to close out game one of a double-header. The outing was shakey at first as Bummer threw a few wild pitches that allowed the extra-innings runner on second to move to third base and eventually score. After walking the first batter faced placing runners on first and third, Bummer’s defense turned a double play on a ground ball clearing the bases but allowing the runner on third to score. Bummer then recorded the final out on a strikeout. This was the first save recorded by any White Sox pitcher other than Hendriks and that pattern is not likely to start changing. But, surely there will be more save situations where Hendriks is unavailable and Bummer showed on Monday that he can get the job done.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing a Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.