Bullpen Report: September 22, 2021

NEW FEATURE ALERT! We have added an upgraded version of RosterResource’s Closer Depth Chart to FanGraphs. Read more about it here.

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).

Notable Workloads

•Michael Fulmer, DET: 25 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Righties Kyle Funkhouser and Alex Lange and lefty Derek Holland are likeliest to fill in for Fulmer if he’s off on Wednesday.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: Three of last four days; 25 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Tim Mayza (lefty) and Adam Cimber (righty) would likely pitch the last couple innings on Wednesday based on matchups, if the Blue Jays lead.

•Ian Kennedy, PHI: 30 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

José Alvarado and Héctor Neris should both be available Wednesday, and Archie Bradley is also an option to close.

•Giovanny Gallegos, STL: Three of last four days; 21 pitches on Tuesday. | RosterResource

Luis García has pitched three straight days, so he probably won’t be available. That leaves Alex Reyes and Génesis Cabrera as the likeliest closers if Gallegos is unavailable.

Injury News

•Garrett Whitlock, BOS: Placed on 10-Day IL (strained pectoral) on Tuesday (backdated to Monday). | RosterResource

Losing Whitlock is a huge blow for the Red Sox; while he’s only recorded a couple saves, it’s hard to argue he’s been anything but their most dependable reliever. Going multiple innings more often than not, Whitlock has pitched 72.1 frames in just 45 appearances, and he’s struck out 27% of opponents while walking a measly 6%. He’s doing all this as not just a rookie but as a Rule 5 pick, plucked from the rival Yankees in December.

The Red Sox had been going with a committee approach in the ninth even with Whitlock healthy, so that’ll continue without him. Matt Barnes, Adam Ottavino, Hansel Robles, Garrett Richards and Josh Taylor are all potential closers until Whitlock is back. He’s not expected to miss more than the minimum ten days.

Outlier Saves

•Alex Vesia, LAD | RosterResource

The Dodgers decided to use their closer, Kenley Jansen, in the bottom of the ninth of a tie game. By the time they got the lead in the bottom of the tenth, they had to play matchups. Brusdar Graterol was the first man up, but it was Vesia’s turn when Graterol walked his third batter faced, with lefty Rio Ruiz due up. The Rockies switching to righty Colton Welker was no problem, as Vesia retired him to end the game for his first career save.

It’s been a breakout year for Vesia, who’s allowed just 14 hits in 38 appearances spanning 36.2 innings, striking out 49 batters. He’s become the most trusted lefty in Dave Roberts’ bullpen.

Committee Clarity

•None

Losing A Grip

•None