Bullpen Report: June 5, 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. 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

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: Back-to-back days; 2 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Aaron Bummer is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Hendriks isn’t available.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: 28 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Mike Mayers is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Iglesias isn’t available.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: 26 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Jansen isn’t available.

•Jake Diekman, OAK: 23 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Lou Trivino is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday, especially if Diekman isn’t available.

•Mark Melancon, SDP: Back-to-back days; 20 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Emilio Pagán is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Melancon isn’t available.

•Ian Kennedy, TEX: 30 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Josh Sborz threw 19 pitches on Friday. Joely Rodríguez is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if neither Kennedy nor Sborz is available.

 

Injury News

•Hunter Harvey, BAL: Activated from 60-Day IL | RosterResource

The leading candidate for the closer’s job entering Spring Training, Harvey injured his oblique in mid-March and didn’t make his 2021 debut until Friday. He entered a scoreless game against Cleveland in the sixth and allowed a run on two hits.

Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde indicated that there wouldn’t be any restrictions on Harvey’s role, meaning he could already be in the mix for save chances.

Brandon Hyde said he is going to use oft-injured RHP Hunter Harvey "like a regular piece in the bullpen." Hyde said he loves Harvey's arm and makeup and "I want to see what this guy has." So he will be used in various roles, including high-leverage ones.

— Dan Connolly (@danconnolly2016) June 4, 2021

 

Outlier Saves

•Michael Feliz, CIN | RosterResource

Tejay Antone and Lucas Sims were likely unavailable after logging high pitch counts in Thursday’s win, but the Reds were still in good shape entering the bottom of the ninth inning with a 6-1 lead over the Cardinals. Things quickly got interesting, though. Heath Hembree allowed a walk and a double. Sean Doolittle followed and allowed a walk, double, and single as the Cardinals cut the lead to 6-4 with two outs, two runners on, and Paul Goldschmidt coming to the plate.

Despite having struggled since being claimed off waivers from the Pirates, Feliz was entrusted to close things out against the right-handed hitting slugger. And he succeeded. The 27-year-old struck out Goldschmidt on three consecutive swinging strikes to pick up his first career save.

 

•Chris Stratton, PIT | RosterResource

Stratton may have fallen behind the impressive duo of Kyle Crick and David Bednar in the Pirates’ bullpen hierarchy, but he has continued to pitch effectively when called upon. He’s also been a valuable innings-eater, recording six outs in six different appearances. He went beyond that for the first time on Friday, retiring the final 11 batters in order to close out a 9-2 win over the Marlins and pick up his first save of 2021.

 

Committee Clarity

•Paul Fry, BAL | RosterResource

On Tuesday, Cole Sulser picked up the Orioles’ first save since it was made clear that César Valdez was no longer going to be the team’s primary closer. But with Fry also having a terrific season and Harvey on the verge of returning to action, it was still very likely that this was going to be a committee for at least a couple weeks.

Ahead 3-1 in the ninth inning of Friday’s game versus Cleveland, it was Fry who got the call. He allowed a pair of singles, but escaped the threat without allowing a run to pick up his second save. I’d expect Hyde to continue to mix and match before determining at some point if one of their top relievers can take hold of the closer’s job.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.