Bullpen Report: September 5, 2022

The 2022 version of the Bullpen Report includes five different sections, as well as the closer chart, which can be found at the bottom of the page.

We will always include a link to the full Closer Depth Chart at the bottom of the Bullpen Report each day. It’s also accessible from the RosterResource drop-down menu and from any RosterResource page. Please let us know what you think.

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).

Click HERE to view the full Closer Depth Chart.

Notable Workloads

•John Schreiber, BOS: Three of the last four days; 16 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Garrett Whitlock threw 30 pitches on Saturday, and he typically gets multiple days off after his multi-inning appearances. If Schreiber is indeed unavailable too, Matt Barnes would probably close Monday if needed.

•Jordan Romano, TOR: 20 pitches on Sunday; 12 pitches on Saturday. | RosterResource

Romano hasn’t worked three straight days all year, though if there’s a time to do it, it’s in a crucial series against the Orioles that begins Monday. But if he’s not available, the Jays have a variety of dependable high-leverage arms to turn to, including Yimi García, Anthony Bass, Tim Mayza, Adam Cimber, and David Phelps.

•Wil Crowe, PIT: 27 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Duane Underwood Jr. threw 37 pitches on Saturday and 15 on Sunday, so he’s a virtual lock to be unavailable. That could leave Manny Bañuelos, Chase De Jong and Robert Stephenson as the likeliest closers.

Injury News

•None

Outlier Saves

•Chris Flexen 플렉센, SEA | RosterResource

The M’s could only get three innings out of starter George Kirby before a lengthy rain delay, and the back end of the bullpen was unable to hold a three-run lead entering the bottom of the seventh inning. So, of course, it came down to literally the last man in the Mariners’ bullpen in the 11th inning: Flexen, just moved to the bullpen a few weeks ago with just three relief appearances under his belt this year. Fortunately for Flexen, he had a three-run lead to work with and the 8-9-1 hitters due up. He set those three down in order without even letting the zombie runner move over to third, earning his second save of the season (his first was of the four-inning variety, piggybacking with Kirby in his last start).

Flexen, like the five starters currently in the Mariners’ rotation, remains under contract for next season (his $8M option vested), so he may have to get used to the bullpen.

Committee Clarity

•Clay Holmes, NYY | RosterResource

The Yankees’ closing situation had been pretty fluid as of late, and the run of losses that the Yankees have been on recently has made it pretty hard to gauge who’s in the lead position. But even though he gave up a run on Sunday, Holmes showed why he’s still the top guy in New York’s ‘pen, throwing a 102 MPH sinker at (or slightly below) Yandy Díaz’s knees to end the ballgame for his 18th save of the season. Jonathan Loáisiga, Ron Marinaccio and Lou Trivino have all been very good lately, however, and could work their way back into the ninth if Holmes falters.

Losing A Grip

•None