Bullpen Report: October 1, 2022

The 2022 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

•Emmanuel Clase, CLE: Three of the last four days; 16 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

James Karinchak would probably close on Saturday if Clase isn’t available.

•Jimmy Herget, LAA: Three of the last four days; 12 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Co-closers José Quijada, Ryan Tepera, and Aaron Loup should all be available.

•Devin Williams, MIL: 27 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Righty Matt Bush and lefty Taylor Rogers could team up in the late innings on Saturday.

Injury News

•Clay Holmes, NYY: Presumably out for the regular season (shoulder strain).

Holmes got a cortisone shot in an attempt to rush him back for the ALDS, but it sure sounds like he won’t be available for the rest of the regular season.

Clay Holmes was unavailable with a right shoulder strain. He recently had an MRI and an injection. Boone said he hopes Holmes will be ready for the ALDS.

— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) October 1, 2022

This closes the books on an uneven but nonetheless excellent season from Holmes, who finishes with a 2.54 ERA and 20 saves. The Yankees will mix-and-match for the rest of the season and potentially into the playoffs, with Scott Effross, Jonathan Loaísiga and Lou Trivino the likeliest to earn saves.

 

Outlier Saves

•DL Hall, BAL | RosterResource

With the Orioles all but officially eliminated from playoff contention, it’s time to pressure test some youngsters, and seeing how Hall fares as a reliever might top that list of intriguing possibilities. Closer Félix Bautista pitched the eighth so he could face Aaron Judge, and didn’t return for the ninth after throwing 15 pitches and leaving with knee discomfort.

Bautista had right knee discomfort.

— Rich DubroffMLB (@RichDubroffMLB) October 1, 2022

Enter Hall, who threw a perfect inning with two strikeouts for his first MLB save. It might not be the last for the hard-throwing lefty, a top prospect as a starter who nonetheless end up fast-tracked into a high-leverage relief role.

•Yusei Kikuchi, TOR | RosterResource

Kikuchi’s had a rough go of things all season, struggling to get things together in the rotation and pitching even worse since moving to the bullpen. But he might’ve finally turned a corner on Friday, earning a three-inning save with scoreless ball including five strikeouts. Most importantly, Kikuchi was inefficient, walking only one batter and throwing 34 or 45 pitches for strikes. It could be an uphill battle for the lefty to make the playoff roster, but another outing like that before the season is up sure helps his chances.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None