Bullpen Report: September 17th, 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

•Clay Holmes, NYY: 9 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Tommy Kahnle and Wandy Peralta have both had two days off and are likely to fill in for Holmes on Sunday.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: 18 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

An extra innings game against the Red Sox on Saturday may have taxed both bullpens going into Sunday. It’s likely that Erik Swanson, Génesis Cabrera, or Yimi García could see an opportunity to fill in for the closer on Sunday.

•Bryan Shaw, CHW: 18 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Co-closer Gregory Santos is also likely in need of rest after throwing 30 pitches on Saturday, as is Aaron Bummer. That leaves Lane Ramsey or Sammy Peralta as likely to fill in if a save situation comes up.

•Alex Lange, DET: 23 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Either setup man Jason Foley or Tyler Holton should be available on Sunday.

•Taylor Clarke, KCR: 4 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Co-closer Carlos Hernández is also likely unavailable on Sunday after back-to-back double-digit pitch count days. That likely leaves “Relievers on the Rise” James McArthur and Steven Cruz as candidates for save opportunities for the Royals on Sunday.

•Carlos Estévez, LAA: 22 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Any one of Jimmy Herget, Ben Joyce, or Aaron Loup could be potential save candidates on Sunday should Estévez need rest.

•Matt Brash, SEA: 16 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Co-closer Andrés Muñoz threw 12 pitches on Saturday but should still be available on Sunday. If not, Justin Topa may be the next man up.

•Will Smith, TEX: 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Aroldis Chapman should be available.

•Tanner Scott, MIA: 15 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

A.J. Puk and David Robertson should be available on Sunday.

•Kyle Finnegan, WSN: 26 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Hunter Harvey should be available on Sunday if Finnegan needs rest.

•Julian Merryweather, CHC: 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Co-closer Mark Leiter Jr. should still be available on Sunday after throwing 14 pitches on Saturday but if that is not the case, Brad Boxberger is the next man up.

•Paul Sewald, ARI: 12 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Kevin Ginkel (10 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days) is also likely unavailable making Miguel Castro the most likely to appear in a save situation.

•Tyler Kinley, COL: 26 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

With Justin Lawrence nursing an ankle injury and Kinley on “High Usage Alert” the Rockies may look to Matt Koch to close out the game on Sunday.

•Evan Phillips, LAD: 15 pitches on Saturday, back-to-back days. | RosterResource

Setup man Brusdar Graterol is also likely unavailable after back-to-back days. Caleb Ferguson is the most rested and could appear in a save situation on Sunday.

Injury News

•Justin Lawrence, COL | RosterResource

The Rockies Co-Closer rolled his ankle while throwing in the eighth inning against the Giants on Saturday. Rockies Manager Bud Black doesn’t think Lawrence will need to go on the IL, but could be off for a few days. This likely places Tyler Kinley in the go-to spot for save situations in Colorado.

Outlier Saves

•Gavin Hollowell, COL | RosterResource

Hollowell entered the game in the seventh inning with a four-run (7-3) lead. Since he entered the game with runners on first and second, he technically lined up for the save since he entered “with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate or on the bases.” Hollowell threw the remaining 2.2 innings of the game while giving up two hits and two earned runs. This appearance marked the 25-year-old righty’s first career big-league save. He’s had some command issues in 26.2 innings pitched this season (5.06 BB/9) and his ERA (5.40, 4.59 xERA) has taken a hit because of it. He’ll likely remain a young arm in a middle relief role for the rest of the season.

•Derek Law, CIN | RosterResource

D-Law entered the game in the bottom of the ninth, gave up two hits (both singles), but did not let any runners cross home plate, recording his second save on the year. National League saves leader Alexis Díaz was likely in need of rest after throwing 22 pitches while recording the save on Friday. Law is listed as a middle-reliever and has a 7.36 ERA (4.56 xERA) in 51.1 innings pitched this season.

•Tanner Banks, CHW | RosterResource

Banks, a 31-year-old lefty who has been in the White Sox farm system since 2014, recorded his first big-league career save on Saturday. However, it was Lane Ramsey who entered the game in the top of the ninth with a two-run lead against the Twins. Ramsey got a quick out but then gave up two singles and was replaced with Banks. Banks struck out his first batter faced looking but then walked Carlos Correa to load the bases. He then walked Kyle Farmer and the lead was cut to one. Finally, Banks recorded the third out on a Willi Castro pop fly, foul ball and secured the save. Banks will likely remain a middle-reliever in need of improving his ratios (7.51 K/9, 2.40 BB/9) if he is to throw more often in high-leverage situations.

•Will Vest, CHW | RosterResource

Closer Alex Lange entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth but blew the save as the Angles hit two home runs to tie the game at four. Old Faithful Miguel Cabrera knocked in the go-ahead run with a single in the top of the 10th, scoring the zombie runner from second. It was then Will Vest’s turn to close things out in the bottom of the 10th and he did so with two strikeouts and a fly-out, though he did give up a single to Nolan Schanuel. Vest has had a solid season, though he’s only thrown 42 innings. His ratios are decent (10.29 K/9, 2.79 BB/9) and his 0.43 HR/9 is tiny. With a 3.00 ERA (3.19 xERA), I would imagine Vest still has closer potential, though time is ticking for the 28-year-old righty.