Bullpen Report: May 8, 2016
We don’t always post Bullpen Reports on a Sunday but when we do, we talk about the Reds.
• Tony Cingrani threw 1.2 innings for the save on Friday, his first of the season. However, Bryan Price hasn’t suggested that it means Cingrani will now be the closer. In today’s game – Blake Wood blew a 4-3 lead in the seventh inning so I wouldn’t count on future saves from him in the near future. Ross Ohlendorf was called on in the eighth, and he gave up the go ahead run on a Jonathan Lucroy homer. Ohlendor stayed in to throw a scoreless ninth and finished the day with two innings, four strikeouts, three baserunners and the loss. Although Price hasn’t named Cingrani (or anyone for that matter) the closer, I’m going to move him to the top spot for now, with knowledge that this situation remains hilariously fluid. After throwing two innings today it’s likely that Ohelndorf will get Monday’s game off as well, so expect Cingrani to see the opportunity if one arises.
• Aroldis Chapman is coming back on Monday and as Joe Girardi said, he will be the closer. The Yankees haven’t given their fantastic bullpen a plethora of save chances this year but Aroldis will be receiving them after tonight’s game and should vault towards the top of RP rankings moving forward. Those of you who drafted Andrew Miller were rewarded with six saves and twenty strikeouts in 11.2 scoreless innings. It’s been early but Miller has essentially broke advanced stats, posting a 0.00/-0.10/0.97 ERA/FIP/xFIP pitching line. Expect Miller and bullpen mate Dellin Betances to rank as the best non-save options with Aroldis back in the picture.
There has been no word of the Yankees rebuilding by Brian Cashman but it’s worth noting that they explored Andrew Miller trades earlier this offseason. If they continue to play poorly, the Yankees could be deadline sellers for the first time in a long time. That doesn’t mean Miller would be on the move but contenders get bullpen reinforcement every deadline and if the Yankees decide to dangle Chapman or Miller, some bullpen situations will change drastically.
• Glen Perkins remains on the shelf with a strained shoulder but there is still no timetable for his return. He has been “playing catch” but until we hear about a simulated bullpen session or minor league stint, it’s impossible to really tell when he can be expected back. At this rate I wouldn’t bank on a Perkins return and would rely on Kevin Jepsen (or Trevor May if he falters) for the remainder of the season and be pleasantly surprised by any solid news out of Perkins’ camp.
• Jonathan Papelbon had his first appearance since his blow up last week and threw two scoreless innings without factoring into the decision today. His job wasn’t in danger but another rough outing could have put him on shakier ground. With all of that said, Papelbon didn’t record a strikeout today and only had two swinging strikes in 31 pitches. Papelbon had a 12.4% swinging strike rate last year and that’s bottomed out to 8.3% which is well below the league average (9.9%). Papelbon has great control and a long leash but his decreased velocity, rising fly ball rate and inability to generate whiffs could get ugly at some point this season. It’s tough to recommend selling a closer on a good team but if you can get pre-season value for Papelbon in a trade, I’d click accept.
• Alex Colome threw a perfect ninth for his ninth save of the year but Brad Boxberger is creeping back for the Rays. Boxberger threw 30 pitches in a live batting practice session and could see a rehab assignment next week. It’s expected for Boxberger to regain the ninth inning upon his return but Colome is doing a damn good job to keep him at bay with a 2.08/2.31/2.38 ERA/FIP/xFIP line.
Closer Grid:
[Green light, yellow light, red light: the colors represent the volatility of the bullpen order.]
When he's not focusing on every team's bullpen situation, Ben can be found blogging at Ben's Baseball Bias and on Twitter @BensBias
It’s early, but it looks like Colome is going to be the runaway winner for the Wade Davis Memorial SP/RP-Eligible Pitcher of the Year. That leash for Boxberger is going to be short.