Bullpen Report: May 6, 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

•Jorge López, BAL: Back-to-bach days; 19 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Dillon Tate is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if López isn’t available.

•Emmanuel Clase, CLE: Back-to-back days; 13 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Trevor Stephan is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Clase isn’t available.

•Daniel Bard, COL: Back-t0-back days; 12 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Alex Colomé and Carlos Estévez are likely candidates for a save chance on Friday if Bard isn’t available.

•Gregory Soto, DET: Back-t0-back days; 21 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Michael Fulmer is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Soto isn’t available.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: 21 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Rafael Montero is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Pressly isn’t available.

•Anthony Bender, MIA: Back-t0-back days; 13 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Cole Sulser is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Bender isn’t available.

•Corey Knebel, PHI: Back-t0-back days; 18 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Brad Hand is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday if Knebel isn’t available.

•Taylor Rogers, SDP: Back-t0-back days; 15 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Luis García has also pitched back-to-back days. If neither Rogers nor García is available on Friday, Steven Wilson is a likely candidate for a save chance.

 

Injury News

•Rafael Montero, HOU: Activated from 10-Day IL | RosterResource

Pressly made one six-pitch appearance during his one-game rehab stint and then made his return to the Astros on Thursday. Making his first appearance since April 13 when he had a blown save and loss, the 33-year-old Pressly was called on with a 2-0 lead over the Tigers in the ninth inning. After two quick outs, he allowed a single to Miguel Cabrera (hit number 3008). Jeimer Candelario followed with a game-tying homer.

Pressly did pick up the win after the Astros walked it off in the bottom of the 9th. In addition, manager Dusty Baker isn’t likely to overreact to his veteran closer having a bad outing after missing three weeks with a knee injury. But another poor outing in the next two or three chances and there will be some concern.

Héctor Neris pitched a scoreless 7th inning, followed by a 1-2-3 8th from Rafael Montero, who was beginning to separate himself as the team’s most reliable late-inning reliever with Pressly out. If Pressly continues to struggle, Montero would appear to be next in line.

 

Outlier Saves

•Brooks Raley, TBR | RosterResource

If there was one pitcher who could emerge as the Rays’ primary closer in 2022, it would be Andrew Kittredge. And, for the most part, that appears to be the case. He saved his fourth game of the season on Tuesday, which was also his third appearance in three days. As a result, he was likely unavailable on Thursday. Of the eight remaining relievers, you could not rule any of them out for a possible save chance with Kittredge out. J.P. Feyereisen and Ryan Thompson haven’t given up an earned run. Neither has Jalen Beeks. Jeffrey Springs has given up one run in 13 innings. Jason Adam hadn’t even given up a hit until his tenth appearance. Every pitcher available in the Rays’ bullpen on Thursday is having a good season thus far. So, who would pitch the ninth inning with a lead of three runs or less? I doubt that manager Kevin Cash could even give you much of an idea.

But with a 4-3 lead over the Mariners in the ninth inning, it was Raley who got the call. He retired the Mariners in order to close out the win and pick up his 2nd save of the season. The 33-year-old lefty, who signed a two-year deal with the Rays this past offseason, has not allowed a run in seven of his eight appearances.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.