Bullpen Report: June 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

•Matt Barnes, BOS: Three straight days; 23 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Adam Ottavino has worked two days in a row, but he ought to be available to close on Monday. Darwinzon Hernandez and Hirokazu Sawamura are also options.

•Yimi García, MIA: 12 pitches on Sunday; 14 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

García isn’t likely to be unavailable on Monday, but if he is, Dylan Floro or Anthony Bass would fill in.

Injury News

•Michael Fulmer, DET: Placed on the 10-day IL (strained shoulder) on Sunday. | RosterResource

Fulmer had yet to pitch this month, dealing with what had been described as “fatigue,” but evidently there’s something at least slightly more serious. Manager A.J. Hinch doesn’t expect that the injury will “linger a long time,” but the team wants to be proactive with Fulmer, who had found his footing as a back-end reliever. Out of the bullpen, Fulmer has pitched to a 2.92 ERA with a K% just under 30%, earning four saves along the way while throwing triple-digit heat with his fastball at times.

While Fulmer is out, Gregory Soto and José Cisnero will likely share closing duties. The lefty Soto leads the team with five saves this season, while Cisnero picked up his first of the year on Saturday.

•Josh Staumont, KCR: Activated from the 10-day IL (sprained knee) on Sunday. | RosterResource

Staumont only needed the minimum ten days on the Injured List before being activated. He’ll resume his place as a major factor in the Royals’ late-inning mix that doesn’t appear to have a set closer. Staumont, Scott Barlow and Greg Holland are the best bets for saves.

•Héctor Neris, PHI: Activated from the Paternity List on Sunday. | RosterResource

Neris missed just a day for the birth of his new child (congratulations, Héctor and family!) and will step back into the closer’s role. Connor Brogdon took Neris’ place with a save on Saturday.

Outlier Saves

•Phillips Valdez, BOS | RosterResource

After Matt Barnes blew his first save of the year while pitching for the third straight day, Valdez was summoned for the bottom of the tenth inning. Adam Ottavino, Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez had all been used already, and Hirokazu Sawamura (29 pitches on Friday) and Garrett Whitlock (20 pitches on Saturday) were probably unavailable.

It wasn’t an easy situation for Valdez, who entered with the extra-inning runner on second and hit Clint Frazier with his first pitch. After inducing a double play, Valdez gave up an RBI single before retiring DJ LeMahieu to end the game. It was Valdez’s first career save.

•Brad Boxberger, MIL | RosterResource

Josh Hader requested a day off after 18 pitches on Saturday and 23 on Thursday, so Boxberger had big shoes to fill on Sunday. He handled the situation with aplomb, surrendering a leadoff single but retiring the next three hitters in order for his second save of the season. The minor league signee has been a pleasant surprise for the Brewers, striking out over 25% of batters faced while walking just one of every 19 opponents.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.