Bullpen Report: May 9, 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.

The 2021 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.)

Notable Workloads

•Gregory Soto, DET: 25 pitches on Saturday, 3 of last 4 days. | RosterResource

José Cisnero is a likely candidate for a save chance if Soto isn’t available on Sunday.

•Jake Diekman, OAK: 25 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Co-closer Lou Trivino (26 pitches) recorded the save on Saturday night and Yusmeiro Petit (16 pitches) recorded the hold. While all three are on “High Usage Alert”, Sergio Romo could be in the mix for a save opportunity, but Trivino is still the least taxed co-closer.

•Héctor Neris, PHI: 27 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

With José Alvarado recording a hold on 21 pitches Saturday night, Sam Coonrod is a likely candidate for a save chance if Neris and Alvarado need rest on Sunday.

•Brad Hand, WSH: 29 pitches on Saturday, 2 of last 3 days. | RosterResource

Daniel Hudson is a likely candidate for a save chance if Hand needs a rest on Sunday.

•Alex Reyes, STL: 30 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Giovanny Gallegos (28 pitches on Saturday) and Ryan Helsley are likely candidates for a save chance if Reyes needs a rest on Sunday.

 

Injury News

•Rafael Dolis, TOR: Grade 1 calf strain. | RosterResource

Other #BlueJays pitching notes:
• Rafael Dolis has a grade 1 calf strain and won't pitch today
• Anthony Castro still not 100% so will remain on IL for now

— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) May 8, 2021

Jordan Romano seems to be the favorite for saves with Dolis out, but he was used in the bottom of the eighth on Saturday night and gave up a run. It’s unclear whether or not he would have pitched a second inning as the Jays extended the lead to 8-4 with a three-run ninth inning. Travis Bergen pitched a non-close situation, bottom of the ninth. Romano, Tyler Chatwood, and Ryan Borucki are all options out of the pen with Bergen also a possibility.

Outlier Saves

•Blake Treinen, LAD | RosterResource

Holding a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth, Treinen recorded his first save of the season on Saturday night. This just seems to be a situation where it was unnecessary to use closer Kenley Jansen while the Dodgers had a comfortable enough lead.

•Trevor May, NYM| RosterResource

Edwin Díaz seemingly needed a rest after appearing in back-to-back games. May faced four batters, gave up one hit, and recorded the save in the top of the ninth last night.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing a Grip

•Héctor Neris, PHI | RosterResource
Neris entered the top of the ninth with a 3-1 lead, recorded the first two outs, but then walked his third batter faced. He then gave up a two-run home run to Pablo Sandoval, blowing the save. Neris was able to keep the game tied, but walked a second batter before ending the ninth on a Marcell Ozuna pop out. While there was nothing specific about the closer situation in Philadelphia in Joe Girardi’s postgame conference, you do have to wonder how many more save chances Neris can blow before he loses the job or they go with a committee. This is a closer to keep an eye on.

 

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.