Bullpen Report: May 29, 2021

The 2021 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

•Carig Kimbrel, CHC: 14 pitches on Friday; 3 of last 4 days. | RosterResource

Ryan Tepera is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday if Kimbrel isn’t available. Kimbrel threw only 14 pitches after a day off on Thursday, but he’s pitched three of the last four days and five of the last seven.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: Back-to-back days; 21 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen has also pitched back-to-back days. Victor González, David Price, and Nate Jones are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if neither Jansen or Treinen is available.

•Mark Melancon, SDP: 28 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Emilio Pagán has pitched back-to-back days and three of the last four. Austin Adams, Tim Hill, and Craig Stammen are likely candidates for a save chance on Saturday if neither Melancon or Pagán are available.

•Keynan Middleton, SEA: Back-to-back days; 19 pitches on Friday; Erik Swanson, SEA: 31 pitches on Friday | RosterResource

Rafael Montero is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

 

Injury News

•Josh Staumont, KCR: Placed on 10-Day IL (sprained knee), retroactive to May 27. | RosterResource

Two days after it was reported that Staumont had been dealing with arm fatigue — his fastball ranged from 92-94 MPH on Wednesday after it was 96-99 MPH during his previous outing four days earlier — he was placed on the Injured List with a sprained knee. Whether the drop in velocity was due to the knee injury or whether the injury occurred because he was overcompensating for it isn’t quite clear. In any case, we’ll have to wait and see if the velocity returns once his knee is healthy.

Matheny said Staumont's knee injury popped up after he pitched Wednesday when he was stretching. It could have stemmed from trying to generate more velocity when he wasn't getting as much, overcompensating a little. Plan is to rest it for now before beginning the rehab process.

— Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) May 28, 2021

As for the closer’s situation, it’s likely back to a committee with Scott Barlow, Greg Holland, and Kyle Zimmer the top candidates for save chances. Lefty Jake Brentz, who lowered his ERA to 2.23 with two scoreless innings on Friday, could also be in the mix.

 

Outlier Saves

•Adam Ottavino, BOS | RosterResource

Ottavino walked the bases loaded before striking out Isan Díaz on three consecutive sliders to end a scoreless sixth inning with his team ahead of the Marlins 5-2. He didn’t get to celebrate a save at the time because the game wasn’t over. It would be soon, though. The game never proceeded and it was officially called due to rain with Ottavino officially picking up his second save.

•Jarlin García, SFG | RosterResource

With Jake McGee and Tyler Rogers already having pitched earlier in the game, it was García who got the save chance after the Giants took an 8-5 lead in the top of the tenth inning. The 28-year-old lefty retired the Dodgers in order to close out the win and pick up his first career save.

•Daniel Ponce de Leon, STL | RosterResource

A day after he picked up his first save of the season because the Cardinals in extra innings and had already used their best relievers, Ponce de Leon was needed to close again on Friday because those same relievers had all worked back-to-back games.

After the Diamondbacks had cut the lead to 7-5 in the eighth, Ponce de Leon was called on with two men on and two out. He struck out David Peralta to end the threat. The Cardinals extended the lead to 8-6 in the top of the ninth, which ended up being an important insurance run. With the bases loaded and one out, Ponce de Leon once again got out of trouble by retiring Ketel Marte on an RBI groundout and then ending the game on a Josh Rojas groundout.

With two saves in two days, regardless of how those opportunities transpired, Ponce de Leon has likely vaulted himself right behind Alex Reyes, Giovanny Gallegos, and Génesis Cabrera on the Cardinals’ bullpen depth chart.

Committee Clarity

•Erik Swanson, SEA | RosterResource

With Kendall Graveman out, Middleton got the first save chance. It wouldn’t have been a surprise if the job was his until Graveman returned. But then Montero got the next save, making it clear that it was at least a co-closer situation. It didn’t end there, though. On Friday, it was Swanson who followed Middleton to record the final four outs and preserve a 3-2 win over the Rangers.

Again, not a surprise. The 27-year-old Swanson has been a “Reliever On The Rise” as he’s become an integral part of the Mariners’ bullpen over the past couple of weeks. In his nine appearances — two have been as the starting pitcher in “bullpen games” — he’s allowed only one run and four hits over 13 innings.

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.