Bullpen Report: May 31, 2021

NEW FEATURE ALERT! We have added an upgraded version of RosterResource’s Closer Depth Chart to FanGraphs. Read more about it here.

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).

Notable Workloads

•Liam Hendriks, CHW: 13 pitches on Sunday; 31 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Hendriks never seems to want a day off, but if he’s given one anyway and a save chance pops up, Aaron Bummer, Codi Heuer and Garrett Crochet are the best bets to substitute.

•Greg Holland, KCR: 13 pitches on Sunday; 18 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource
•Scott Barlow, KCR: 29 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource
•Kyle Zimmer, KCR: 32 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

It’s plausible that at least one or even all three Royals righties are available Monday, but if not they’ll have to get by with Jake Brentz, Wade Davis and Jakob Junis in the late innings.

•Diego Castillo, TBR: 27 pitches on Sunday; 11 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

The Rays would have to go elsewhere in their closer committee on Monday if needed. J.P. Feyereisen, Pete Fairbanks and Andrew Kittredge are all options.

•Richard Rodríguez, PIT: 35 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Kyle Crick, David Bednar, Chris Stratton and Sam Howard are all options to fill in with Rodríguez surely out of action Monday.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Riley Smith, ARI  | RosterResource

Smith went old-school for his first career save, piggybacking off of Matt Peacock’s six solid innings for three of his own. Smith held the Cardinals scoreless, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out four. The Diamondbacks just snapped a 12-game losing streak with Sunday’s win, so their closing situation remains murky, but Smith isn’t a part of it. Stefan Crichton, Joakim Soria, Taylor Clarke and Alex Young are the likeliest to get the Snakes’ next traditional save chance.

Committee Clarity

•Greg Holland, KCR | RosterResource

Sunday presented the first save chance for the Royals since Josh Staumont was placed on the IL, and it was the most seasoned veteran of the bunch given the first crack. Holland hasn’t been great this season, with far too many walks (over 15% of batters faced) and four homers allowed. But he retired all three batters faced on Sunday for his third save of the year.

Scott Barlow and Kyle Zimmer have been better than Holland this year and both pitched well on Sunday, so they could be factors in the ninth as well. Jake Brentz is the top lefty option for a situational ninth inning matchup.

•Keynan Middleton, SEA | RosterResource

Nothing dramatic here, with Middleton throwing five pitches (all strikes) to retire the Rangers in order and earn his fourth save of the season. He should continue to trade opportunities with Rafael Montero (who earned the save on Saturday) until Kendall Graveman is off the COVID-related IL, which he’s on for undisclosed reasons.

•Jake McGee, SFG | RosterResource

As he often has this season, McGee made things interesting in the ninth, allowing a runner to reach on his own error before giving up a home run to Albert Pujols that brought the Dodgers within one. But McGee righted the ship from there, ultimately picking up his 12th save of the season. He hasn’t been particularly good this year but he probably isn’t “Losing A Grip” just yet, and should continue to split save opportunities with Tyler Rogers while entering the game in earlier innings at times.

Losing A Grip

•None

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.