Bullpen Report: September 2, 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

•Andrés Muñoz, SEA: 27 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Matt Brash and Justin Topa were both unused on Friday so they should be good to go Saturday.

•Tanner Scott, MIA: 30 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Andrew Nardi is the likeliest to close on Saturday, with David Robertson also a possibility.

•JoJo Romero, STL: 35 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Ryan Helsley never pitched back-to-back days on his rehab assignment, so it’s unclear if he will down the stretch. If he’s also down, Giovanny Gallegos is the likeliest closer.

Injury News

•Ryan Helsley, STL: Activated from the 60-day IL (forearm strain) on Friday. | RosterResource

Helsley ended up missing just under three months with his injury, making his first appearance since June 7 on Friday. Notably, it was in the eighth inning of a tie game, so there’ll be no easing the flamethrowing righty back into action. The makeup of St. Louis’s bullpen is quite different since Helsley was last healthy, and he’ll be competing with JoJo Romero and perhaps Giovanny Gallegos for save opportunities as the Cardinals play out the string this month.

Outlier Saves

•Kirby Yates, ATL | RosterResource

Raisel Iglesias had pitched three straight days, so no chance he was available on Friday for what was suddenly a close game after Kolten Wong’s three-run homer cut the lead from 6-0 to 6-3. Yates issued a walk and needed 21 pitches, but kept the Dodgers off the board for his third save of the year. He’s been a key cog in Brian Snitker’s bullpen, with a 2.73 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 52.2 innings of work.

•Keegan Thompson, CHC | RosterResource

Thompson entered in the eighth inning of what was then a three-run game in the eighth, and fired a quick scoreless inning before David Ross elected to send him back out there for the ninth with the lead widened to five in game one of a key doubleheader against the Reds. He gave up a single run but nothing else for his first save of the year. Since being brought back from the minors a week ago after struggling with both command and velocity to start the year, he’s given up just the one run with seven strikeouts in four innings.

•Drew Smith, NYM | RosterResource

The Mets were off on Thursday but nonetheless steered clear from Brooks Raley 레일리 and Adam Ottavino on Friday; the former was charged with three runs on Wednesday without recording an out and the latter threw 25 pitches while struggling with command. Smith bent but didn’t break in protecting a one-run lead; despite issuing a walk and a hit he kept the Mariners off the board for his third save of the year. 

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None