Bullpen Report: May 19, 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

•None

 

Injury News

•David Robertson, CHC: Activated from COVID-19 IL. | RosterResource

Robertson returned to action after spending nine days on the COVID-19 IL. In his last appearance before being sidelined, the Cubs’ closer allowed two earned runs to end his streak of 11 consecutive scoreless innings to start the season. He’s now begun a new one after pitching a scoreless ninth inning, including a pair of strikeouts, in a non-save appearance against the Pirates on Wednesday.

In Robertson’s absence, Rowan Wick had three saves in three appearances to establish himself as the clear-cut “next in line” for save chances. Both pitchers are certain to be trade candidates if the Cubs fall out of playoff contention, but the 29-year-old Wick is most likely to stick around since he’s under team control through the 2025 season.

 

Outlier Saves

•Daniel Hudson, LAD | RosterResource

With Craig Kimbrel likely unavailable after pitching back-to-back days, Hudson got the call in the ninth inning with a 5-3 lead over the Diamondbacks. The 35-year-old made quick work of his former team, retiring the side on 14 pitches to pick up his second save of the season.

•Clay Holmes, NYY | RosterResource

Aroldis Chapman had pitched on three of the last four days, including Monday and Tuesday, so it was Holmes who got to finish Wednesday’s victory over the Orioles. He picked up his third save of the season with two scoreless innings to close out the 3-2 win.

Since allowing a run in his season debut back on April 8, the 29-year-old Holmes has not allowed a run in 20.1 innings. He’s been one of the best relievers in baseball since the Yankees acquired him from the Pirates last July.

•Víctor Arano, WSN | RosterResource

Save chances have been a rare occurrence for the Nationals, who had lost 19 of 25 games since closer Tanner Rainey picked up his third save of the season on April 19. On Wednesday, he finally got another opportunity with his team holding a 4-3 lead over the Marlins in the ninth inning. But a leadoff single, back-to-back walks with one out, and a game-tying sacrifice fly by Jazz Chisholm Jr. sent the game into extra innings. An inning later, Arano took over with a 5-4 lead and proceeded to retire the Marlins in order on nine pitches to pick up his first save.

While the 27-year-old Arano is not new to high-leverage relief pitching — he had a 2.73 ERA, 10 holds, and 3 saves for the Phillies in 2018 — it’s been a long road back to the majors since an elbow injury sidelined him for most of 2019 and 2020. Now, he’s gone from being a non-roster invitee with little chance of making the Opening Day roster to one of the Nationals’ primary setup men. Arano has allowed eight earned runs in 16.2 innings, but he hasn’t allowed a run in 14 of his 17 appearances.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.