Bullpen Report: May 10, 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

•Richard Rodríguez, PIT: 26 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Kyle Crick and David Bednar are the likeliest substitutes if Rodríguez is unavailable on Monday. Sam Howard is another option if a lefty-lefty matchup arises.

•Raisel Iglesias, LAA: 17 pitches on Sunday; 20 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Mike Mayers is the top option to fill in, though he’s also pitched back-to-back days (though with five fewer pitches than Iglesias). The Angels don’t really have any other good options with Aaron Slegers also working a heavy load lately, so they could simply elect to play matchups with the likes of Alex Claudio, Steve Cishek, Tony Watson, and Junior Guerra if they have a late lead.

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Drew Rasmussen, MIL | RosterResource

Josh Hader pitched the bottom of the ninth in a tie game, and after the Brewers took the lead in the top of the tenth, Rasmussen was brought on to pitch. He was able to work around the extra-inning runner for his first career save. Rasmussen struggled to start his season but has allowed just one earned run in his last 11.1 innings, with 15 strikeouts.

•Ryan Helsley, STL | RosterResource

Closer Alex Reyes threw 30 pitches on Saturday and top backup Giovanny Gallegos threw 28, so it was Helsley summoned with one out and two runners on in the ninth inning. Helsley walked the first batter he faced but induced a game-ending double play for his first 2021 save and the second of his career.

 

Committee Clarity

•Pete Fairbanks, Andrew Kittredge, Jeffrey Springs and Ryan Thompson, TBR | RosterResource

The Rays emptied the tank on the A’s on Sunday ahead of Monday’s off day, using all four of their best relievers, who held Oakland scoreless for five innings. Springs pitched first, earning the win with a scoreless inning, followed by Thompson (four outs) and Fairbanks (three outs) both picking up holds. It was Kittredge who picked up the save, recording five outs for his second save of the season.

Expect Tampa Bay to continue to play matchups until—and even after—top reliever Diego Castillo is back from the IL. He’s eligible to return from a strained groin on May 14th, but it’s unclear what his timetable is.

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.