Bullpen Report: September 26, 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

•Mark Melancon, ATL: 22 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Shane Greene is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

•Matt Barnes, BOS: 28 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Phillips Valdez is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

•Raisel Iglesias, CIN: 24 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Archie Bradley is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: Back-to-back days; 27 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Blake Treinen is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

•Brandon Kintzler, MIA: Back-to-back days; 16 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Brad Boxberger is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

•Rafael Montero, TEX: Back-to-back days; 20 pitches on Friday. | RosterResource

Jesse Chavez is a likely candidate for a save chance on Saturday.

 

Injury News

•Evan Marshall, CHW: Activated from 10-Day IL. | RosterResource

Aaron Bummer returned on Friday and now they get Marshall back after he spent the minimum amount of time on the Injured List due to shoulder inflammation.

•Josh James, HOU: Placed on IL (undisclosed). | RosterResource

No information was made available on why James was placed on the Injured List. If it’s Covid-19 protocol, he could be back any day. The Astros sure can use him in the postseason. Since a terrible start to the season, the 27-year-old has gotten things under control with six consecutive scoreless innings (2 H, BB, 7 K).

•Greg Holland, KCR: Placed on 10-Day IL (strained oblique). | RosterResource

It’ll likely be a closer committee to end the season for the Royals. On Friday, it was Jesse Hahn getting the call to close out a 3-2 win over the Tigers for his second save. Scott Barlow and Josh Staumont are also candidates to get a save chance over the weekend.

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Jesse Hahn, KCR | RosterResource

It’s been a breakout season for the 31-year-old Hahn, who is finally healthy and has appeared to find his niche in the bullpen. After pitching a scoreless inning to pick up a save in Friday’s win, he lowered his ERA to 0.55 with 16 strikeouts and only four hits allowed in 17 relief appearances (16.1 IP).

•John Curtiss, TBR | RosterResource

Curtiss has been of the biggest reasons why the Rays have been able to overcome so many injuries in their bullpen. The 27-year-old journeyman, who signed a minor league deal with Tampa Bay this past offseason after the Phillies released him during the 2019 season, picked up his second save on Friday in dominant fashion. He struck out the side on 12 pitches to close out the 6-4 win, fittingly, over his former team. He now has a 1.85 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 24.1 innings.

 

Losing A Grip

•None