Bullpen Report: September 25, 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; 4 of last 5 days; 15 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

The Indians will likely try to stay away from Hand for a third consecutive day, but I wouldn’t rule him out. They head into the weekend series versus the Pirates within two games of the division-leading Twins and one game behind the White Sox, who are ahead in the Wild Card race.

Nick Wittgren and James Karinchak would be likely candidates for a save chance if Hand is not available on Friday.

•Daniel Bard, COL: 27 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Mychal Givens is a likely candidate for a save chance on Friday.

•Brandon Kintzler, MIA: 29 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

Yimi García and Brad Boxberger are likely candidates for a save chance on Friday.

•Rafael Dolis, TOR: 28 pitches on Thursday. | RosterResource

After locking down the eighth seed in the playoffs on Thursday, the Blue Jays aren’t likely to use Dolis again on Friday after he recorded a four-out save in his first appearance since he was removed with knee discomfort on September 18.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if one of the team’s rookie fireballers — Thomas Hatch, Patrick Murphy, Nate Pearson — got a save chance on Friday.

 

Injury News

•Aaron Bummer, CHW: Activated from 10-Day IL. | RosterResource

Not only do the White Sox have the hardest-throwing pitcher in baseball available out of their bullpen — rookie Garrett Crochet’s fastball has averaged 100.2 MPH over his first four big league appearances  — the return of Bummer should also give them a huge boost heading into the final weekend of the season.

The 27-year-old lefty, who missed a month-and-a-half with a biceps injury, pitched a scoreless inning in his return on Thursday. After a breakout season in 2019, Bummer had continued where he left off with only one run allowed and twelve strikeouts over his first 7.1 innings before landing on the Injured List.

•Greg Holland, KCR: Unavailable on Thursday due to oblique injury. | RosterResource

This explains why Jake Newberry got a four-out save on Thursday. Holland’s season could be over.

Greg Holland didn't pitch tonight because of a right oblique injury. He had gotten up and was ready but then was shut down.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) September 25, 2020

At age 34, Holland has put himself in very good position heading into free agency after posting a 1.91 ERA with six saves in 28 appearances. The Royals could try to re-sign him, especially if they’re not convinced that Scott Barlow or Josh Staumont would be capable enough in the closer’s role.

 

Outlier Saves

•Jairo Díaz, COL | RosterResource

After allowing 14 earned runs over his first 13.1 innings, it’s surprising that Diaz was not designated for assignment weeks ago. But the Rockies showed faith in the 29-year-old, who responded with 4.1 consecutive scoreless innings.

He gave up three earned runs on Tuesday, however, to push his ERA back over 8.00. But the Rockies just won’t give up on Diaz, who got an extra-inning save chance on Thursday after the team took a 5-4 lead over the Giants in the 11th inning. He pitched a scoreless inning for his fourth save.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None