Bullpen Report: May 5, 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

•Héctor Neris, PHI: 40 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

If Neris needs another day off, José Alvarado (fresh off his two-game suspension) is likeliest to sub in. Sam Coonrod (13 pitches in Monday, 28 pitches on Tuesday) almost definitely won’t be available.

•Taylor Rogers, MIN: 25 pitches on Tuesday; 18 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

Tyler Duffey and Hansel Robles are next in line if Rogers is unavailable on Wednesday and a save opportunity arises. Robles threw 27 pitches on Tuesday so he may not be available, though.

•Josh Staumont, KCR: 26 pitches on Tuesday; 21 pitches on Monday | RosterResource

Greg Holland almost surely won’t be available on Wednesday, having already pitched in three straight games, so Scott Barlow is clearly the best bet to pick up a save.

Injury News

•Joakim Soria, ARI: Activated from the 10-Day IL (strained calf) on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Soria made just one appearance before landing on the IL on April 5, and as such he’ll probably be eased back in to higher leverage situations. It could be a quick ascent for the veteran, though, as none of the arms ahead him on the depth chart (Stefan Crichton, Kevin Ginkel and Chris Devenski) have pitched well this season. Soria turns 37 in two weeks and has 223 career saves.

Outlier Saves

•Sam Coonrod, PHI | RosterResource

With Héctor Neris down for the day after throwing 40 pitches in a hard-earned save on Monday, Coonrod had to battle for a save of his own on Tuesday. The flame-throwing righty needed 28 pitches to record five outs, but didn’t give up a run, lowering his ERA to 1.23 (two earned runs in 14.2 innings), striking out one. It was his second save of the season.

•Yusmeiro Petit, OAK | RosterResource

Co-closers Lou Trivino and Jake Diekman both worked back-to-back games on Sunday and Monday, so Petit subbed in on Tuesday. The 36-year-old veteran retired the side in order for his first save of the season. He has a sterling 0.96 ERA on the campaign and remains first in line for outlier saves.

Committee Clarity

•Josh Staumont, KCR | RosterResource

Staumont’s probably still the Royals’ closer (he’s definitely their top option) but he was deployed in the seventh inning of a tie game on Tuesday.

Things didn’t go well for the hard-throwing right-hander, who gave up three runs, walked a batter and threw just 14 of 26 pitches for strikes. If Staumont is brought in early again, Greg Holland and Scott Barlow could pick up a save later on.

•Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero, SEA | RosterResource

Both of Seattle’s closers were brought in early, with Graveman pitching 1.2 innings after entering in the sixth; Montero followed with a scoreless eighth.

Scott Servais clearly isn’t afraid to use his top relief options at any point during the game, which could set up Anthony Misiewicz or Drew Vest for an outlier save. Keynan Middleton left Tuesday’s game with a biceps strain and will go on the IL.

Losing A Grip

•Jake McGee, SFG | RosterResource

McGee had his first clunker of an outing on Tuesday, getting roughed up by his former Rockies team for four runs in just two-thirds of an inning. He probably won’t lose his job based on one bad outing at the notoriously wacky Coors Field, but with Tyler Rogers having pitched so well, it’s a situation to monitor.

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.