Bullpen Report: September 27, 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

•Josh Hader, MIL: Back-to-back days; 21 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

In a must-win game on Sunday, Hader should be available for a third consecutive day.

•Liam Hendriks, OAK: Back-to-back days; 24 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Joakim Soria is a likely candidate for a save chance on Sunday.

 

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Adam Kolarek, LAD | RosterResource

With Kenley Jansen having pitched back-to-back days, the Dodgers gave Alex Wood the opportunity to pick up a six-out save on Saturday. But after retiring the leadoff man in the ninth, an error and back-to-back doubles allowed the Angels to cut the lead to 7-6. Kolarek came in to close things out, allowing an infield single before retiring Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani.

The 31-year-old lefty has allowed a run in only two of his 20 appearances. While there was concern about how well he’d fare in 2020 with the three-batter minimum a potential obstacle because of his extreme splits, Kolarek has been a key contributor to the Dodgers’ bullpen. Right-handed batters are hitting .286 against him, but he’s only allowed one extra-base hit, a homer to Trevor Story at Coors Field.

•Aaron Slegers, TBR | RosterResource

Slegers’ second save of 2020 was a rare case when a pitcher qualifies for a save because the lead was three runs or less and because he pitched at least three innings. The 28-year-old entered with a 4-1 lead in the seventh and promptly allowed three consecutive singles to the Phillies as they closed the gap to two runs. A double play and a strikeout ended the inning and then he cruised the rest of the way to close out a 4-3 win. In 11 of Slegers’ 13 appearances, he’s pitched at least two innings.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing A Grip

•None