Bullpen Report: September 6, 2018

Masked within encrypted updates,time’s running out on a return for Brandon Morrow. Pedro Strop’s filled in affably as the closer since July 19th converting 10 of the 12 save chances provided, including his outing on Wednesday night giving up a hit and a walk with a strikeout for his 12th save of the season. As for Morrow, he would need to throw at least two bullpen sessions and a simulated game prior to returning before the playoffs, but still not progressing well during his rehab, as intimated here:

As of now, #Cubs feel they'd be lucky to get Morrow back. Maddon: "It's hard to get him up to speed. You have to talk about building arm strength up, seeing hitters, throwing, day off, throwing again, and then just to be cautious regarding consecutive appearances"

— Carrie Muskat (@CarrieMuskat) September 5, 2018

With the high leverage bridge evolving the last three weeks, plan on Strop anchoring the bullpen the rest of the way. There’s a slight glimmer of hope Morrow could return, but this rhetoric about his progress has been proliferated for almost two months. Plan accordingly.

More concrete news regarding Kenley Jansen. He will not make the trip to Colorado for a big series with implications in the standings. However, staying healthy, as it should be, remains of the utmost importance regarding his heart issues. Jansen did get work in on Wednesday tossing a clean ninth inning with two strikeouts. He’s made four straight scoreless appearances with five strikeouts against three hits since his four game runs allowed stretch. While this proves encouraging, his doctor also recommended Jansen returns to using the prescribed medication which made him feel like a “zombie” during the runs streak, so stay tuned to how this could affect his future performance. As for this weekend, Los Angeles could deploy a committee of Ryan Madson, Kenta Maeda and a wild card in high leverage:

Given the downside risk of bringing Kenley Jansen to Denver, plus the addition of Ryan Madson and the expected activation of Ross Stripling, it is hard to imagine the Dodgers will bring Kenley Jansen to Denver.

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) September 5, 2018

Unlike Maeda, Ross Stipling seemed excited for a chance to record a save if transitioned to the bullpen and makes for an intriguing arm this weekend in Coors for the Dodgers. Stay tuned.

As for the Rockies, they kept an eye on the future giving Wade Davis last night off after working the two previous games and in three of the last four. Davis, in the midst of a 10 game scoreless streak, has found his groove at the right time of the year allowing only three hits and two walks with 10 strikeouts in his scoreless stretch. Adam Ottavino recorded his sixth save striking out one in a clean ninth inning. He’s been scoreless over his last five games and reached 100 strikeouts in last night’s save. Ottavino’s also within one of his career high for saves in a season with free agency looming. Guessing teams will be interested in a reliever from Coors with a 1.96 ERA and 0.96 WHIP in 69 innings this season.

After the Red Sox fell behind 7-1, it did not feel like the bullpens would become the story in a game in Atlanta. However, when Dan Winkler’s 14 game scoreless streak came to a screeching halt, things escalated quickly. Winkler did not record an out allowing four hits and eventually four earned runs to his ledger putting the Red Sox back in the game. Both Jonny Venters and Brad Brach let two inherited runners to score leading up to A.J. Minter taking his third loss serving up a two-run home run to Brandon Phillips in the ninth inning. Minter threw a season high 36 pitches during his 1.1 inning outing and has yielded five earned runs his last five games. Craig Kimbrel then entered to notch his 38th save, a career best with Boston, walking one and striking out two in the bottom of the ninth to preserve Boston’s win. Kimbrel’s struck out 21 hitters his last 11 innings since July 29th as the Red Sox hope he regains his early season form with the playoffs looming.

Chalk up another save for a reliever not named Bud Norris this week. Norris will not pitch until Friday, manager’s decision, but has struggled his last 7.2 innings giving up eight hits, seven earned runs, six walks, three home runs and a hit batter against five strikeouts. He’s battled back from injury issues all season but could be losing his grip on the closer role at the most important time of the year. Jordan Hicks stepped in for the save on Tuesday and Carlos Martinez recorded his first save since 2014 in a two inning outing striking out four allowing two hits last night. As a reliever, Martinez has a win and this save yielding only one earned run in 8.1 innings. He also averaged 96.5 MPH with his fastball during this appearance. While predicting what will happen with saves going forward, it feels like Norris will be on a short leash with the Cardinals pushing for a playoff spot. If he performs in high leverage when given the chance, he could resume being the primary closer, if not, a rotation could ensue with Hicks and Martinez getting more chances going forward.

Quick Hits: Save number 32 for Brad Hand, and his eight with Cleveland. Hand struck out the side and has a save in three of his last four outings. Cody Allen secured his fifth hold, and third the last four games, with a clean eighth inning and two strikeouts.

Felipe Vazquez held on for his 30th save, but did allow two hits, an earned run and two walks with two strikeouts. Vazquez has converted 20 straight saves but this appearance snapped his 11 game scoreless streak. However, he’s only ceded runs in four of his last 36 games with a 1.23 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 36.2 innings.

A clean ninth for Ken Giles in a non-save outing proves encouraging. Giles owns a 0.50 ERA in 19 save chances this year but in other games has given up 25 of his 26 earned runs in 24.2 innings. Something he needs to improve upon to be a top-15 closer next season.

Seranthony Dominguez worked two efficient innings giving up a walk with three strikeouts on 28 pitches. Dominguez has been scoreless his last 4.2 innings with nine strikeouts against two walks and two hits. He’s still working out of high leverage, but could remain in the mix with Gabe Kapler’s revolving door in the ninth inning.

Perhaps some clarity in Miami? Drew Steckenrider converted his second straight save allowing a hit and a walk with two strikeouts. He yielded seven runs (six earned) his previous four appearances but could bounce back as the season ends with a 3.49 FIP and 70:25 K:BB through 59.1 innings this year.

Edwin Diaz locked down his 53rd save striking out two in a clean ninth inning. Diaz leads the majors in saves by a wide margin and now leads all relievers in strikeouts with 117, slipping ahead of Josh Hader last night. With the Mariners adrift in the standings, they are 62-0 when Diaz enters with a lead which can be attributed to his 46.2 strikeout percentage and minuscule ratios (1.87 ERA, 0.77 WHIP).