Bullpen Report: June 12, 2021

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. 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.

1. Injury News 
2. Outlier Saves: Explanation for a non-closer earning a save during the previous day.
3. Committee Clarity: Notes on a closer committee that clarify a pitcher’s standing in the group.
4. 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 14 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Aaron Bummer and Evan Marshall are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if Hendriks isn’t available.

•Yimi García, MIA: Back-to-back days; 21 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Anthony Bass is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Garcia isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•Tejay Antone, CIN: Placed on 10-Day IL (forearm inflammation), retroactive to June 8. | RosterResource

The Reds are hopeful that Antone could return when they open a four-game series in San Diego next Thursday. In any case, Lucas Sims had appeared to have taken hold of the closer’s job. Getting him a lead, however, is a challenge since there aren’t many reliable options in the Reds’ bullpen with Antone out.

•Kendall Graveman, SEA: Activated from COVID-19 IL. | RosterResource

Keynan Middleton was optioned to Triple-A as the corresponding move, leaving very little doubt that Graveman should be right back in the primary closer’s role.

 

Outlier Saves

•Aaron Bummer, CHW | RosterResource

An inning after Hendriks had his 17-inning scoreless streak ended with a game-tying, two-run homer by Daz Cameron in the bottom of the ninth, it was Bummer who got the call to protect a 5-4 lead. After a leadoff walk to put runners on first and second, he quickly ended the threat with back-to-back strikeouts and a game-ending groundout to pick up his second save.

•Alex Claudio, LAA | RosterResource

After Raisel Iglesias allowed a game-tying homer to Diamondbacks’ third baseman Eduardo Escobar with two outs in the ninth, the Angels retook the lead in the top of the tenth and went to Steve Cishek in the bottom-half of the inning. The 34-year-old, who has 132 career saves and had not allowed a run in 14 of his last 15 appearances, recorded two outs before manager Joe Maddon called on the lefty Claudio to face pinch-hitter Stephen Vogt. He struck him out to close out a 6-5 win and pick up his first save of 2021.

 

Committee Clarity

•Pete Fairbanks, TBR | RosterResource

Diego Castillo and J.P. Feyereisen have three saves apiece since Fairbanks picked up his first of the season back on May 19. That’s not surprising since the 27-year-old has been regularly utilized in high-leverage situations prior to the ninth inning. On Friday, though, the Rays held off on using him until the Orioles were down to their final three outs. Fairbanks retired the side on 10 pitches to lock down a 4-2 victory, pick up his second save, and extend his scoreless streak to 8 1/3 innings.

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.