Bullpen Report: May 20, 2019

In Sunday’s game against the Cardinals, Chris Martin had just his second chance for a save since Jose Leclerc was moved out of the closer’s role nearly three weeks ago. Martin was working with just a 3-2 lead, and after Dexter Fowler launched a one-out solo homer, that lead was gone. Even though that was the only hit Martin allowed, already the clock is ticking on his time as closer.

That, however, has more to do with the recent improvements Leclerc has made. He was spotless in pitching the fifth and sixth innings on Sunday, striking out five of the six batters he faced, and Leclerc has induced swings-and-misses on 11 (or 20.4 percent) of his last 54 pitches. When asked about Leclerc’s proximity to getting back his old ninth-inning job, Chris Woodward replied, “he’s real close.” If Leclerc does not get the Rangers’ next save chance, it sure sounds as if he may get the one after that.

In the interim — if there is an interim — Martin could get another crack at a save, but with Shawn Kelley possibly getting activated on Monday, that is not a given. Kelley underwent surgery on Thursday to have lumps removed from his vocal cords, and he is awaiting results of a biopsy on the lumps. Woodward told reporters it was possible that Kelley may not rejoin the active roster until later in the week to ensure he is emotionally prepared.

The Rangers did emerge with a 5-4 victory on Sunday, even after Jeanmar Gomez allowed the Cardinals to score a go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning. After facing two batters in the eighth inning and pitching the ninth, Jordan Hicks came back out for the 10th and let the Rangers back in the game. Hicks allowed a Rougned Odor single, issued a walk to Danny Santana and coughed up an RBI single to Willie Calhoun. With no one out, he was relieved by Carlos Martinez, who subsequently allowed a one-out sacrifice fly to Nomar Mazara, saddling Hicks with the loss. This was only third time in 17 appearances that Hicks had allowed any runs and the first time since April 23.

In the Red Sox’s 4-3 win over the Astros, we saw a familiar bullpen pattern but with a twist. Alex Cora brought Matt Barnes in to pitch the eighth inning against the middle of the Astros’ order, but whereas Ryan Brasier has typically faced the weaker part of the opposing lineup in the ninth, this time it was Brandon Workman. He allowed just one batter — Josh Reddick — to reach base, and he did so via a walk. In preventing the Astros from scoring, Workman recorded the first save of his career.

Barnes has seen ninth-inning work more consistently lately, and Brasier has struggled, so it’s fair to expect Barnes to get the bulk of the save chances from here on out. Still, we could see more situations like the one that arose on Sunday, where Workman essentially vultures a save after Barnes takes care of the tougher part of the opposing lineup. That makes Workman worth targeting in deeper leagues, even where holds aren’t a consideration.

Once again, Steve Cishek was Joe Maddon’s go-to reliever for a save on Sunday night, but in this case, closing out a game meant more than just pitching the final inning. Cishek notched a seven-out save, which bested his previous longest appearance as a closer this season by a full inning. He needed only 27 pitches, as Gerardo Parra’s single was the only blemish in his outing.

The Royals have not had a save situation since May 1, so it’s hard to say anything definitive about the current status of their bullpen situation. However, they have had two games in the last 10 days in which they have held a four-run lead in the ninth inning. On both occasions, including Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Angels, Ned Yost lined his late-inning relievers in the same way: Scott Barlow in the seventh inning, Jake Diekman in the eighth and Ian Kennedy in the ninth. In both cases, Barlow and Diekman earned holds, as the Royals had only a three-run lead when facing opposing hitters in the seventh and eighth innings. That’s good enough for me to arrange those relievers in the closer grid in that same order.

In getting the final four outs against the White Sox on Sunday, Ken Giles not only collected his 10th save of the season, but he recorded his 11th straight scoreless appearance, covering 11.2 innings. Over that span, he has struck out 19 batters and not allowed a walk or a home run. Giles has been one of the best and most skilled relievers this season. He is the only qualified reliever with a SwStr% above 19 percent, an O-Swing% above 35 percent and a Z-Swing% below 70 percent (though he barely clears that bar with a 69.9 percent rate).

Quick hits: Felipe Vazquez (13) and Will Smith (12) both recorded saves on Sunday…Diego Castillo was used much earlier than usual, pitching the fifth inning with the Rays tied with the Yankees, 5-5. With the score holding steady, Castillo came back for the sixth, and he loaded the bases by way of a single and two walks. He was removed after walking in the go-ahead run. Castillo took the loss and was charged with three runs, the first ones he had allowed since April 27…Brandon Brennan pitched perfect frames in the seventh and eight innings against the Twins for his sixth hold. Roenis Elias came in for the ninth inning, but did not get a save in the Mariners’ 7-4 win, as he began the inning with a four-run lead…With Hector Neris having pitched on Friday and Saturday, it was Pat Neshek getting the save for the Phillies against the Rockies on Sunday…Josh Hader retired all six batters he faced and picked up a win in the Brewers’ 3-2 victory over the Braves in 10 innings. With the game tied heading into the top of the ninth, Jacob Webb pitched for the Braves, as Luke Jackson had pitched in the Braves’ previous two games…In his first major league appearance of the season and fourth appearance of his career, Chance Adams recorded a three-inning save in the Yankees’ 13-5 win over the Rays. He allowed only a single, a walk and a hit by pitch…The Padres activated Trey Wingenter (shoulder) from the IL on Sunday.