Bullpen Report: May 7, 2023

The 2023 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

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).

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•Kenley Jansen, BOS: 14 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Chris Martin did not appear last night and could be the best option to close out a game on Sunday. Setup man John Schreiber threw 15 pitches on Saturday and could also be available.

•Zach Jackson, OAK: 23 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Setup man Sam Moll has thrown in back-to-back days and may need rest on Sunday. Austin Pruitt is likely to be used in a close situation if that is the case.

•Paul Sewald, SEA: 20 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Setup men Justin Topa and Trevor Gott should be available if Sewald needs rest.

•A.J. Puk, MIA: 20 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Dylan Floro is coming off two days of rest and probably needs some work. He’s likely to appear in a save situation on Sunday if one comes up.

•Andrew Chafin, ARI: 15 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Miguel Castro only threw two pitches on Saturday but threw 11 on Friday. He may also be unavailable and if he is, Joe Mantiply or Scott McGough could be the next up for a save opportunity.

•Evan Phillips, LAD: 24 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

The Dodgers used all of Phillips, Brusdar Graterol (16 pitches), and Caleb Ferguson (21 pitches) on Saturday. Graterol is the only one who did not breach the pitch count threshold which places him in “High Usage Alert”. If all three are unavailable, Shelby Miller, Yency Almonte, or Victor González could potentially close out a game.

•Camilo Doval, SFG: 5 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Doval has thrown in four of the last five days and has recorded a save in each appearance. He has keep his pitch count under 20 in each appearance. He’s likely in need of rest after so much work and either Tyler Rogers or Taylor Rogers could potentially fill in if needed. Setup man John Brebbia is also on “High Usage Alert” after 18 pitches on Saturday and 17 pitches on Friday.

Injury News

•Ryan Helsley, STL: Knee soreness. | RosterResource

Helsley only has three saves on the year with two holds in 12 innings of relief. The Cardinals haven’t given him many opportunities to record saves as the team as a whole only has recorded four saves. Giovanny Gallegos is the other reliever with a save, but he has also lost two games and blown one save. It has been all about opportunity for the Cardinals relievers, but perhaps this gives us some insight into Helsley’s above-average WHIP (1.42) and elevated 3.75 BB/9. Hopefully a day or two of rest will do Helsley some good.

#STLCards manager Oli Marmol said closer Ryan Helsley was unavailable to pitch today because of knee soreness.

The injury is not considered to be serious & the club hopes Helsley will be available on Sunday.

The bullpen surrendered three runs on Friday & two more runs today.

— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) May 6, 2023

Outlier Saves

•None

Committee Clarity

•Adbert Alzolay, CHC | RosterResource

Yesterday it seemed that Mark Leiter Jr. had taken over the closer role for good. But, things change fast in major league bullpens, and Adbert Alzolay’s conversion to a reliever continues to go well. He has been limiting walks, limiting home runs, and holding down high-leverage situations. He earned his first save of the year, the second of his career, last night against the Marlins and displayed closer-ability. Yes, Leiter Jr. had thrown 16 pitches on Friday and maybe needed rest, but Alzolay’s performance of late and successful save conversion on Saturday places him in a co-closer role with Leiter Jr. for now.

•Evan Phillips, LAD | RosterResource

While Brusdar Graterol has been solid out of the Dodgers pen this year, Phillips seems to be the man Dave Roberts trusts the most in save situations. Graterol’s 7.07 K/9 doesn’t compare to Phillips 12.27 and that strikeout-ability is something that, perhaps, instills a little more confidence to get guys out when needed. Graterol has faced more batters (19) than Phillips in high-leverage situations and may be more of a fireman, than a true closer. While it does seem that the Dodgers will use Phillips earlier than the ninth inning if absolutely necessary, he seems to be holding down the closer role on his own for the time being.

•Ian Hamilton, NYY | RosterResource

Ian Hamilton is likely now a part of a larger committee in New York. The 27-year-old has been excellent this year displaying a 10.89 K/9 and 1.42 ERA. He has gone multiple innings in seven of his 12 appearances. He had one game with three walks that inflated his BB/9 a bit, and walks appear to be his only blemish so far this year. Hamilton features a solid slider matched with a fastball averaging 95.6 MPH. He has been a nice surprise for a Yankee pen that leads the league in ERA (2.66). Yet, the Yankee closer committee isn’t all that clear, and perhaps that’s part of the reason for much of their success. They only have seven saves on the year which ranks 23rd among all MLB teams. Those seven saves have been spread among Clay Holmes, Michael King, and, now, Ian Hamilton. Last night, Holmes threw in the eighth with a one-run lead and Hamilton took the ball in the ninth. For now, the committee continues and has a new member.

•Zach Jackson, OAK | RosterResource

Jackson has been listed as the closer for a little while now on the Closer Depth Chart, and he finally got his first save last night against the Royals. It seems safe to say that Jackson is the closer as the Oakland pen does not have many challengers stepping up. Of all relievers in Oakland who have accumulated at least 10 IP, Jackson has the best ERA at 2.25. He has a solid 11.25 K/9, but it is matched with a scary 5.06 BB/9 and a .350 BABIP. The Athletics probably won’t be sending out any closer on a regular basis given the team’s overall performance and 8-26 record, but Jackson seems to be the one they will call on when they do have the lead at the end of the game.

Losing a Grip

•None