Bullpen Report: September 2, 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

•Tanner Scott, BAL: 3 consecutive days; 10 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource
•Hunter Harvey, BAL: 16 pitches on Tuesday.

Harvey isn’t expected to work back-to-back days as of yet, so he can probably be ruled out for Wednesday. Paul Fry and Travis Lakins Sr. are candidates for a save chance.

•Raisel Iglesias, CIN: 24 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Iglesias and Archie Bradley each threw 24 pitches in a game that the Reds lost 16-2. Neither can be ruled out for Wednesday, but Amir Garrett is the most likely candidate for a save chance on Wednesday if they aren’t available.

 

Injury News

•Zack Britton, NYY: Activated from 10-Day IL | RosterResource

In his first game back following a 12-day absence due to a strained hamstring, Britton pitched a 1-2-3 eighth with the Yankees leading the Rays 5-3. It was his first hold to go along with eight saves and also the first time this season that he and Aroldis Chapman pitched in the same game.

 

Outlier Saves

•Matt Wisler, MIN | RosterResource

With Taylor Rogers, Trevor May, and Tyler Duffey all likely unavailable after high pitch counts on Monday, the Twins needed Sergio Romo and someone else to get the last six outs of the game after taking a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the seventh over the White Sox. Romo got the call in the eighth with Yasmani Grandal, José Abreu, and Edwin Encarnación coming up — he retired all three in order — and Wisler got the ninth. With a strategy of throwing nothing but sliders, he got Eloy Jiménez to ground out before striking out Luis Robert and Nomar Mazara to end the game and pick up his second career MLB save.

The 27-year-old Wisler has been a valuable pitcher for the Twins in 2020 due to his versatility — he’s started three games and has pitched at least two innings in four of 10 appearances — and his effectiveness. The former top prospect, who is with his fifth different team since 2018, has allowed only two runs in 16.2 innings while striking out 21.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

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.