Bullpen Report: May 23, 2016
• Injury update for the Angels as Huston Street is heading to Arizona Friday for extended Spring Training. He also threw 20 pitches today and “could be back before the end of May.” All promising signs for Street as he comes back from a strained oblique and provided there aren’t any setbacks he should be replacing Joe Smith and return to his familiar role in the ninth very soon. Until then, Smith will close as he did tonight getting his sixth save.
• The Pirates didn’t start the ninth with a save situation but after Jared Hughes allowed two singles, Mark Melancon was called on for the save. Melancon allowed a single of his own, forcing an inherited runner to score but got the final two outs for his 15th save on the year. Melancon has never wowed anyone with strikeout rates, but in spite of that he has a startling 1.90 ERA in 237.1 innings over the past four seasons with an equally impressive 2.27 FIP. He’ll always remain second tier after the slew flamethrowers getting saves but remains a top notch source for consistent and successful saves.
• Justin Wilson was mentioned in the comments last night and he threw a scoreless seventh inning with two strikeouts this evening against Phillies. Although he still has a 4.50 ERA his 1.79 FIP, 1.86 xFIP and 24/4 K/BB ratio suggest Justin Wilson is still doing just fine. Mark Lowe threw a scoreless eighth with two strikeouts of his own indicating he’s likely still next-in-line but Justin Wilson is probably the most effective reliever in Detroit. Francisco Rodriguez also threw a scoreless inning for his 13th save and has lowered his ERA to 3.24 after a couple of early season hiccups.
• Quick Hits: David Robertson recorded his second save (12) in as many days for the White Sox and setup man Nate Jones needed only one out to record his 11th hold on the year. Jones didn’t throw a full inning over the last three games but after appearances in three straight it’s safe to say he could be seeing an off day tomorrow. A.J. Ramos (14) saved the win for the Marlins and David Phelps who has continued to enjoy life in his new relief home. Phelps now has a 1.38/1.84/3.23 ERA/FIP/xFIP line with 31 strikeouts in 26 innings, becoming one of the better non-closing options in baseball this year. Matt Bush threw a scoreless inning throwing 14 of 15 pitches for strikes, which is pretty darn good control for a former hitter. He’s only thrown 5.2 innings but Bush has allowed just three baserunners with seven strikeouts and only one walk. He’s being eased into higher leverage innings but Bush should find himself moving up the chain if he keeps this up
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
What will it take for Philly to go green?
Jeanmar Gomez will have to change his name.
I’ll change this tonight. Probable better relievers behind him but he should be green.
Trevor May’s completely lost it, still has the K’s but he’s been getting lit up and used in much lower leverage situations recently?
Super unlucky. 2.42 xFIP tonight.
It’s hard to tell with the Twins cause they haven’t really had a true set-up man opportunity in a while. That bullpen is starting to approach Reds-levels of bad, not to mention lack of save/hold opportunities.
You’re right, I kept him there because who else, but coming in that early and not getting a clean inning isn’t helping his cause.
What about Abad?
An odd note, Jepsen was used tonigh with his team trailing by 4 runs. Didn’t seem like “getting work in” sort of outing since he pitched Thursday and Saturday. Perhaps Molitor was hoping for a comeback with the top of the Twins order due in the next inning or maybe a sign that they are done with Jespen as the closer. Giving up two runs in the 9th surely didn’t help Jepsen’s case for 9th inning chances going forward one would think.
As noted by some else here, May was used in the 3rd inning so don’t think he’s next anymore. Personally would guess Abad is next but Tonkin who leads the MIN pen in Whiffs, K% and Sierra might be worth a grid seat over May in the short term at least.
Motte there be someone to add to the Rockies hierarchy?
Two more small notes:
PHI – Maybe you just like D Hernandez long term but Nerris is getting the 8th in front of Gomez consistently while Hernandez is pitching in games Phillies are losing. Nerris has good Ks and Velo so seems like he would be more likely 2 with Hernandez 3 in order.
CIN – Diaz has been in the minors for a couple days. Not sure that putting someone like Blake Wood in 3rd chair helps anyone anyway. Maybe you can petition for a tire fire emoji instead.
Yeah, Neris not being first chair makes no sense. He’s been there for a long while now and he’s the best arm in their pen this season. He’s one of the better stashes out there.