Bullpen Report: September 24, 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

•Richard Rodríguez, PIT: Back-to-back days; 4 of last 5 days; 24 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

Chris Stratton has also pitched back-to-back days, but his recent workload hasn’t been quite as heavy. He and Nik Turley are likely candidates for a save chance on Thursday.

 

Injury News

•Alex Colomé, CHW: Day-to-day with back spasms. | RosterResource

After a six-pitch ninth inning on Tuesday with the game tied at one versus the Indians, Colome did not return for the tenth inning after his team took a 3-1 lead. The White Sox lost on a walkoff homer by Jose Ramirez.

Afterwards, it was revealed that Colome had back spasms and was questionable to pitch again on Wednesday, although he said he was fine. But with the game tied at two in the bottom of the ninth, he didn’t get the call. Gio González pitched instead and allowed a walkoff homer to Jordan Luplow.

There is no word on whether Colome would’ve been used in extra innings or if he just wasn’t available again.

 

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Mike Mayers and Felix Peña, LAA | RosterResource

A day off was expected for Mayers after a six-out save on Monday and a five-out save on Tuesday. But the Angels went back to their ace reliever once again on Wednesday with a 5-2 lead over the Padres and a chance for another six-out save.

He didn’t quite get there, however, as he was removed after Eric Hosmer led off the ninth with a single. Instead, Peña came in to close things out for his second save. He also stranded the inherited runner, keeping Mayers’ scoreless streak alive at 19 innings.

As for the usage, it was surprising as Mayers had pitched seven times — all at least 1.1 innings — since September 11. But with the Angels not quite out of the playoff race — they ended Wednesday 2.5 games behind the Astros in the AL West — manager Joe Maddon was not going to shy away from using his two best relievers in what had to be considered a must-win game.

 

Losing A Grip

•None