Bullpen Report: September 3, 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.
6. Reliever On The Rise: Non-closer who is quickly moving up the depth chart based on potential and recent performance.

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

•Ryan Pressly, HOU: Back-to-back days; 14 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

If Pressly isn’t available for a third consecutive day, Blake Taylor and Enoli Paredes are likely candidates for a save chance on Thursday.

•Kenley Jansen, LAD: Back-to-back days; 25 pitches on Wednesday. | RosterResource

The Dodgers can go in a few directions if Jansen isn’t available on Thursday. Blake Treinen, Caleb Ferguson, and Brusdar Graterol are all candidates for a save chance.

 

Injury News

•Emilio Pagán, SDP: Placed on 10-Day IL with biceps inflammation | RosterResource

Between the return of Drew Pomeranz, the acquisition of Trevor Rosenthal, and the overall improvement of the bullpen since struggling badly for the first month of the season, the Padres should be just fine without Pagan for a couple weeks.

 

Outlier Saves

•None

 

Committee Clarity

•Kevin Ginkel, ARI | RosterResource

The first save situation since Archie Bradley was traded to the Reds went to Ginkel, who was impressive in 25 appearances last season (1.48 ERA, 2 saves, 10.4 K/9). With a one-run ninth inning lead over the Dodgers, the 26-year-old rookie allowed a game-tying homer to Mookie Betts. There’s no shame in getting beat by one of the best players in baseball, although he could’ve created some separation from the committee with a successful save attempt.

Despite a pair of disastrous four-run outings in his first seven appearances, Ginkel had bounced back by allowing just one run over his last 7.1 innings. He should remain in the mix, along with Stefan Crichton, who pitched a scoreless eighth in this game, and Junior Guerra, who got a blown save and a loss after allowing two unearned runs in the tenth.

•Diego Castillo, TBR | RosterResource

The chances of Castillo getting four saves in four appearances went out the window when he entered Wednesday’s game in the fifth inning with the Rays leading 5-0 over the Yankees. The bullpen got started early in this one with Charlie Morton only working two innings in his first game back from the Injured List. Pete Fairbanks pitched the ninth in this game, although it was a non-save situation with the Rays up four and one out in the ninth. Chances are that he would’ve also gotten the call in a save situation.

 

Losing A Grip

•Ty Buttrey, LAA | RosterResource

Coming in to Wednesday’s game, Buttrey had allowed just two earned runs over his last 13 innings with four saves in four chances. Three of those saves have required at least four outs. The 27-year-old didn’t get a save chance against the Padres, but he entered with the game tied at three in the eighth inning. After allowing back-to-back singles to start the inning, he got the next two batters out and was almost out of trouble. But former teammate Jason Castro delivered the knockout blow, a two-run double that proved to be the difference in the 11-4 loss.

Buttrey probably hasn’t pitched bad enough to be removed from the closer’s role yet. But with Felix Peña continuing to have a strong season (1.96 ERA, 18.1 IP, 22 K) and Cam Bedrosian back in action after a stint on the Injured List, the last place Angels have multiple options that should at least get a chance to close out some games before season’s end. Mike Mayers is another candidate who has been very good in 2020. Throw out one bad game on July 29 (0.2 IP, 4 ER) and the 28-year-old has allowed just one earned run in 13.2 innings with four walks and 17 strikeouts.

 

Reliever On The Rise

Early in the season, picking out a “Reliever On The Rise” was a simple task with several options to choose from each day. Not so much over the last few weeks, though. Most of the breakout relievers have already been identified. As a result, this section will highlight a pitcher or two only once per week through the end of the season.