Bullpen Report: May 22, 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.

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).

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Jordan Romano, TOR: 16 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Either Adam Cimber or Yimi Garcia should be good to go on Sunday.

•Kenley Jansen, ATL: 23 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Will Smith did not pitch on Saturday and should be available in a save situation should Jansen need rest.

•David Robertson, CHC: 26 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

The Cubs closer was brought into the top of the eighth inning on Saturday to get the final out. Instead, he gave up a run-scoring double, followed by a run-scoring single that ended up being an out when Daulton Varsho tried to take the extra base at second. Robertson was then brought back out for a tied top of the ninth. He gave up a hit and two walks, but his defense got him out of the jam and he left the game tied. Rowan Wick came out for a tied top of the tenth and was charged with the loss, Robertson with the blown save. It was a tough return for Robertson in his first appearance since returning from the covid-IL, but he likely will need some time to ramp back up. If he needs a day of rest on Sunday and the Cubs need a high leverage arm, Mychal Givens is the most likely to fill that role.

•Mark Melancon, ARI: 23 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Both Ian Kennedy (10 pitches) and Joe Mantiply (12 pitches) threw on Saturday, but either is still likely to fill in for Melancon should he need rest. All three bullpen arms did not throw on Friday, so it’s possible all three are still available on Sunday if needed.

•Craig Kimbrel, CHC: 13 pitches on Saturday, back-t0-back days. | RosterResource

The Dodgers pen has gone through some heavy usage in the last few days with six out of seven of the listed relievers in the Closer Depth Chart, marked with “High Usage Alert”. We may see the Dodgers get creative on Sunday. Evan Phillips is the only reliever who did not throw on Friday.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Ryan Helsley, STL | RosterResource

With closer Giovanny Gallegos on “High Usage Alert” after three appearances in four days, Helsley was the most likely to fill in, and fill in he did. He entered the game on Saturday with a one-run lead and quickly closed the door on the Pirates with a flyout, a strikeout, and a ground out. Helsley has been solid this season with a 15.80 K/9, a 0.00 ERA, and a 0.57 xERA. He impresses the most with his 99.3 MPH vFA on the season (Pitch Info), and that ties directly to a 33.8% CSW (all pitches) on the year. The league average CSW% among all relievers is 28.2%. Do I dare mention something negative about closer Giovanny Gallegos and spend my Sunday reading through the comment section? No. I’ll just leave it at Helsley is good, and that we should see him get more save opportunities throughout the season.

Committee Clarity

•Clay Holmes, NYY | RosterResource

Holmes has been really good this season. He has recorded three saves, and four wins, and has a 0.44 ERA on the year through 20.1 IP (the lowest among relievers with at least 2o IPs). Aroldis Chapman, on the other hand, has been shakey, and when he did not get the opportunity to save the game on Saturday night after three nights of rest, our table (below) now shows the closer situation in New York as a committee. While Chapman does have nine saves on the year, he’s only thrown 13.2 innings and shows a 2.63 ERA (4.29 xERA) and a 5.93 BB/9. It seems well known that when Chapman has a few days off, he comes into the game wild. That’s a tough consideration for a player that is supposed to be rock solid. With Chad Green hitting the 10-day IL and Jonathan Loáisiga showing some control issues of his own (6.00 BB/9 compared to last season’s 2.04 BB/9), Holmes has clearly stepped up and earned the trust of his manager. In need of reeling in his control, Chapman is in danger of losing his full-time role as the Yankees’ closer.

Clay Holmes is the 2nd pitcher in Yankees history with at least 20 K and 1 run or fewer allowed in his first 20 games of the season.

The other was Mariano Rivera in 2008.

— Katie Sharp (@ktsharp) May 21, 2022

Losing a Grip

•None