Bullpen Report: September 22, 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.

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

•Brad Hand, CLE: Back-to-back days; 26 pitches on Monday. | RosterResource

James Karinchak is a likely candidate for a save chance on Tuesday.

 

Injury News

•Giovanny Gallegos, STL: Activated from 10-Day IL. | RosterResource

Prior to landing on the Injured List with a groin injury on September 11, Gallegos had appeared to have separated himself as his team’s primary closer. While he’s been out, four different Cardinals’ relievers have picked up saves and Gallegos is now likely part of that committee again. On Monday, he came in to pitch with his team losing 3-1 to the Royals in the eighth inning. He allowed an RBI double to Jorge Soler and left with two runners on base and two outs. That’s not likely to move him back to the top of the committee, which has several options that manager Mike Shildt appears comfortable with.

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Mike Mayers, LAA | RosterResource

After his two-inning outing on Saturday, in which Mayers entered with the game tied in the eighth inning and then stayed in to close things out in the ninth after his team took the lead, the decision to not go with Ty Buttrey or Felix Peña in a save situation spoke volumes about the team’s closer role. Manager Joe Maddon simply no longer trusted his other options and stuck with the 28-year-old Mayers, who has undoubtedly been his best reliever in 2020.

Unsurprisingly, he entered Monday’s game with the Angels leading the Rangers 8-5 in the eighth inning and then never left. Mayers retired all six batters faced, including three strikeouts, to finally secure his 1st save of the season. The Angels need a bullpen overhaul during the upcoming offseason, but Mayers is a lock to be a part of next season’s group. The only question is whether he’ll be the closer or the primary setup man.

•Nick Anderson, TBR | RosterResource

I wouldn’t rule out a 13th Rays’ pitcher picking up a save before season’s end, but it was back to Anderson on Monday to close out a 2-1 victory over the Mets for his sixth save. The 30-year-old also has six holds to go along with a 0.60 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 15 innings pitched.

 

Losing A Grip

•None