Bullpen Report: September 10, 2020

The 2020 version of Bullpen Report includes six 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.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

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

•Kevin Ginkel, ARI: Back-to-back days; 13 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

With Ginkel, as well as a few other relievers who would likely be next in line, all possibly unavailable on Thursday, the Diamondbacks could turn to Yoan López for a save chance.

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: Back-to-back days; 13 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

If Pressly is unavailable on Thursday, Enoli Paredes and Brad Peacock are likely candidates for a save chance.

•Greg Holland, KCR: Back-to-back days; 3 of last 4 days; 15 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont are likely candidates for a save chance on Thursday.

•Liam Hendriks, OAK: Back-to-back days; 17 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

If Hendriks is unavailable on Thursday, Joakim Soria will be in line for a save chance.

 

Injury News

•Josh James, HOU: Activated from 10-Day IL. | RosterResource

James has not been good in 2020 and things didn’t change on Wednesday. He allowed a run on a hit and two walks while retiring only two batters. His return is notable, however, because the Astros don’t have many options to set up for Pressly, especially after losing Blake Taylor and Chris Devenski to elbow injuries a few days ago. If the 27-year-old can regain his 2019 form (3.78 ERA, 47.2 IP, 80 K over his last 39 appearances) before season’s end, he could still be the team’s primary setup man if the Astros can squeeze into the playoffs.

 

Outlier Saves

•Bryse Wilson, ATL | RosterResource

Wilson was called on in the sixth inning to protect a 22-8 lead over the Marlins. He did the job, holding the Marlins to one run over four innings in the 29-9 victory for what will certainly be a very memorable first career MLB save.

•Blake Treinen, LAD | RosterResource

With Kenley Jansen unavailable after throwing 31 pitches on Tuesday, Treinen pitched a scoreless tenth inning to close out a 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks and pick up his first save with the Dodgers.

 

Committee Clarity

•Greg Holland, KCR | RosterResource

A day after Holland pitched the seventh and eighth innings before handing a save chance over to Barlow, the 34-year-old veteran was back in his familiar role as the Royals’ closer on Wednesday. With his team leading 3-0 over the Indians, Holland pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the shutout and pick up his third save of the season.

The Royals missed a chance to trade Holland to a playoff contender at the deadline, but he’s still making the most of his Kansas City reunion and should have plenty of interest on the free agent market this upcoming offseason.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

Reliever On The Rise

Early in the season, picking out a “Reliever On The Rise” was a simple task with several options to choose from each day. Not so much over the last few weeks, though. Most of the breakout relievers have already been identified. As a result, this section will highlight a pitcher or two only once per week through the end of the season.