Bullpen Report: May 5, 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.

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

•Lucas Sims, CIN: 34 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Art Warren is a likely candidate for a save chance on Thursday if Sims is not available.

•Andrew Kittredge, TBR: 3 consecutive days; 10 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

J.P. Feyereisen and Ryan Thompson are likely candidates for a save chance on Thursday if Kittgredge isn’t available.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: 22 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Yimi García is a likely candidate for a save chance on Thursday if Romano isn’t available.

 

Injury News

•Josh Hader, MIL | RosterResource

Hader wasn’t needed in the Brewers’ 18-4 win over the Reds, but it sounds like he was available. The left-hander, who has 10 saves in 10 appearances and has not allowed a run this season, hasn’t pitched since last Wednesday due to back spasms.

Josh Hader was running around the clubhouse and the field today and went through his pregame routine. His status for tonight won’t be finalized until right before game time, but he’s expected to be available tonight or tomorrow, Craig Counsell said.

— Adam McCalvy (@AdamMcCalvy) May 4, 2022

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Hansel Robles, BOS | RosterResource

Believe it or not, most of the Red Sox relievers have very good numbers aside from Matt Barnes. But they came into Wednesday’s game with a league-leading three blown saves in the ninth inning or later. And now they have four.

Hansel Robles was handed a 4-3 lead against the Angels with three outs to go, but couldn’t quite close things out. After one-out walks to Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani, Robles retired Anthony Rendon on a flyout before giving way to Jake Diekman for a lefty-versus-lefty matchup against Jared Walsh. The Angels’ batter won the matchup, delivering a game-tying single. An inning later, Barnes gave up a go-ahead, two-run homer to Taylor Ward to open the flood gates in an eventual 10-5 loss.

The Red Sox’s best reliever actually did pitch on Wednesday and he was terrific as always. The problem is that Garrett Whitlock started the game and was removed after five innings. His last three appearances have been starts and the results (12 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 18 K) are making me think that he could be there for good. If he is, the Red Sox might need to quickly look for some help in the late innings.

 

Losing A Grip

•Lucas Sims, CIN | RosterResource

As much as I hate including someone in this section when they didn’t even blow a save, Sims had an abysmal performance on Wednesday that could make his manager question whether he should continue as the team’s closer. After three days off, Sims was brought in to pitch the 8th inning with the Reds trailing the Brewers 13-3. He retired only two of seven batters faced, allowing a single and walking four before his night was done.

Of course, it can’t be fun pitching in a blowout. Being the “closer” on the worst team in a baseball (3-21) can’t be fun, either. But, at some point, the Reds could get back to full health and might be competitive enough to need a competent closer. And Sims might’ve just opened the door for someone else to get a look. Alexis Diaz might be the only reliever who has earned an opportunity at this point. In his first 11 big league appearances, he’s allowed one earned run and struck out 14 batters.

•Anthony Bender, MIA | RosterResource

Bender has bounced back from a few shaky outings and has been able to hold on to the closer’s job for the first month of the season. But with Dylan Floro nearing a return from the Injured List, Bender’s latest blown save in Tuesday’s 8-7 loss to the Diamondbacks — he allowed a two-run, go-ahead homer to Pavin Smith — is a reminder that his hold on the job is far from secure.

Since bursting onto the scene with a 0.00 ERA in his first 21.1 innings as a big leaguer last season, Bender has a 4.56 ERA in 49.1 innings with 56 strikeouts. He’s saved 6 of 8 games in 2022, but he probably hasn’t done enough to keep Floro from getting his job back as long as he can return to his 2021 form. And, even if not, going with a committee — Cole Sulser, Anthony Bass, Louis Head, and Tanner Scott are all good options — might be a better strategy than continuing to rely on Bender.

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.