Bullpen Report: June 10, 2022

The 2022 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.)

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Scott Barlow, KCR: Back-to-back days; 23 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Josh Staumont has also pitched back-to-back days. If neither Barlow nor Staumont is available on Friday, Dylan Coleman is a likely candidate for a save chance.

 

Injury Report

•Andrew Kittredge, TBR: Placed on 15-Day IL (elbow discomfort) | RosterResource

After missing more than two weeks with a strained lower back, Kittredge returned to action with appearances on Sunday and Tuesday. Now, he’s expected to miss at least one month with an elbow injury that will likely require surgery.

#Rays Cash said Kittredge is most likely headed for surgery to have a loose body removed from his elbow, will be out at least a month

— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) June 9, 2022

The Rays’ closing situation has been much more predictable when Kittredge is healthy — he has 11 saves over his last 30 appearances dating back to last August — and now it’s likely back to an all-hands-on-deck approach with Colin Poche (3 saves), Jason Adam (2 saves), Brooks Raley (3 saves), and Ryan Thompson (3 saves) all in the mix.

Interestingly enough, the Rays could potentially have several of their best relievers back in the 2nd half — Kittredge, Pete Fairbanks, Nick Anderson, J.P. Feyereisen, and JT Chargois are currently on the Injured List — all of who could be in the mix for saves down the stretch.

 

Outlier Saves

•Ian Kennedy, ARI | RosterResource

While Kennedy’s save in Thursday’s game was an outlier, it was a chance to prove himself with closer Mark Melancon currently on the hot seat.

Not having pitched since blowing a save last Saturday, Melancon was likely going to pitch no matter what during Thursday’s series finale against the Reds. With the Diamondbacks trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning, it was possibly Melancon’s last chance to get some work in since there was no guarantee that the game would get to the bottom of the 9th. He allowed a single to Joey Votto and a near-homer to Aramis Garcia, but ended up with a scoreless inning.

The Diamondbacks’ offense followed with a four-run ninth inning, giving Kennedy a two-run lead to work with for the save chance. After a two-out homer by Matt Reynolds cut the lead to 5-4, the 37-year-old closed out the win to pick up his 4th save. Since allowing a pair of earned runs in two of his first four outings of the season, Kennedy has a 2.41 ERA over his last 18.2 innings.

 

•Alex Colomé, COL | RosterResource

With Daniel Bard, Tyler Kinley, and Colomé all questionable for Thursday’s game after each pitched on Tuesday and Wednesday, it was Colomé who got the call to go three days in a row. Leading the Giants 4-2 in the 9th inning, the 33-year-old allowed a one-out single to Brandon Crawford before getting Joc Pederson to ground into a game-ending double-play.

Colomé struggled early in the season, allowing 10 runs (6 ER) over his first 10.1 innings. Since, he’s allowed only one unearned run in 11 innings. His save on Thursday was the 158th of his career, tying him with Tom Gordon and Dan Plesac for 78th all-time.

 

Committee Clarity

•Tanner Scott, MIA | RosterResource

Save chances continue to be few and far between for the Marlins, although they are starting to play better with six wins in their last nine games. Two of those six wins ended in a save situation and Scott was the recipient on both occasions.

One of those saves came the day after the team played a double-header and Scott was the only pitcher who wasn’t used in either game. On Thursday, Anthony Bass and Scott recorded the final seven outs to close out a 7-4 win over the Nationals. While Scott closed out the victory and picked up the save, Bass had the higher degree of difficulty. He was brought in with the tying run at the plate and two outs in the 7th inning. He ended that rally and then pitched a scoreless 8th.

Bass has been the Marlins’ most reliable reliever, while Dylan Floro, who finished last season as the team’s closer, has pitched 8.1 consecutive scoreless innings. But the left-handed Scott has converted all three of his save chances and, aside from a handful of shaky outings, he’s been very good in 2022 with 35 strikeouts in 22.1 innings and no earned runs allowed in 20 of his 25 appearances. He does have a chance to separate himself from the pack, although I’m not convinced that is the plan yet.

•Jason Adam, TBR | RosterResource

Adam didn’t allow a hit until his 10th appearance with the Rays on May 3, a game in which he allowed one earned run and another unearned run. Since, he’s thrown 15 consecutive scoreless innings, the latest of which resulted in his second save of the season when he closed out a 2-1 win over the Cardinals on Thursday.

Remarkably, Adam has been slightly overshadowed by several Rays’ relievers who have been very good, including J.P. Feyereisen, who had not allowed an earned run in 24.1 innings before recently landing on the Injured List. The 30-year-old Adam will be leaned on heavily, though, with Kittredge and Feyereisen out, likely resulting in a lot more save chances.

 

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.