Bullpen Report: September 20, 2022

The 2022 version of 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

•Jorge López, MIN: 34 pitches on Monday. | Roster Resource

After throwing 32 pitches on Saturday, López was rested on Sunday and then threw 34 on Monday. Just like he did on Sunday when López needed rest, Jhoan Duran is likely to fill in on Tuesday.

•Craig Kimbrel, LAD: 15 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | Roster Resource

Evan Phillips (13 pitches, back-to-back days) is also on “High Usage Alert”. That leaves Alex Vesia as the likeliest to fill in during a save situation.

•Camilo Doval, SFG: 12 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | Roster Resource

John Brebbia and Tyler Rogers are both rested and should be available.

 

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Sam Hentges, CLE | Roster Resource

Since Hentges entered the game with a lead of no more than three (seven to four, Guardians) he earned the save by MLB’s definition, even though he only threw 2.1 innings. He gave up no hits and struck out two. The Guardians have been so reliant on Emmanuel Clase who has been dominant all season. As the Guardians continue to hold onto the division lead in the AL Central, it will be critical for them to balance out innings in the back end of their bullpen. James Karinchak and Trevor Stephan remain the next-in-line relievers to Clase, but Hentges filled in nicely with a large lead on Monday and could be on the cusp of a breakout. The 26-year-old lefty has been in the Guardians farm system since 2014 and has a 10.47 K/9 through 55 innings pitched this season. His ERA (2.78) is close in line with his xERA (2.84) and he has done a decent job of limiting walks with a 2.78 BB/9.

•Scott Alexander, SFG | Roster Resource

For the second time this season, the veteran Alexander has stepped in to record a save. The Giants brought the game into extra innings against the Rockies on Monday and Doval was brought into the highest leverage situation in the ninth when the game was tied at seven. After taking a three-run lead in the top of the tenth, Alexander closed the door on Colorado in the bottom of the frame. He went three up, three down, throwing only nine pitches and striking out one.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing a Grip

•None