Bullpen Report: September 7, 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

•Brad Hand, CLE: Back-to-back days; 11 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

If Hand gets a day off on Monday, James Karinchak could be in line for a save chance. He’s struggled as of late, however, so it’s not a sure thing. Hand or Nick Wittgren could pitch three days in a row or they could go with one of a few other capable options, including Cal Quantrill or Phil Maton.

•Daniel Bard, COL: Back-to-back days; 26 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Mychal Givens (16 pitches on Sunday) is the most likely candidate for a save chance if Bard isn’t available on Monday.

•Giovanny Gallegos, STL: Back-to-back days; 14 pitches on Sunday. | RosterResource

Andrew Miller is the most likely candidate for a save chance if Gallegos isn’t available for a third consecutive day.

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Rafael Dolis, TOR | RosterResource

With Anthony Bass likely unavailable after pitching back-to-back days, Dolis pitched a 1-2-3 ninth (2 K) to secure a 10-8 win over the Red Sox and pick up his second save. The 32-year-old continues to be a reliable late-inning option for the Blue Jays with only four earned runs allowed in 19.2 innings. He has 22 strikeouts and seven holds.

 

Committee Clarity

•Bryan Garcia, DET | RosterResource

After Gregory Soto and José Cisnero blew saves on back-to-back days, it was Garcia’s turn on Sunday with his team leading 10-8 in the ninth. The 25-year-old pitched a scoreless inning to close things out, giving him his first career MLB save to go with 25 in the minors and 43 for the University of Miami.

While the former 6th round pick is clearly no stranger to the closer role and is having a terrific rookie season (1.69 ERA), he has only struck out seven batters in 16 innings. Not quite what you’re looking for in a closer, although Garcia does have an 11.5 K/9 in 115 minor league innings.

•Tyler Rogers, SFG | RosterResource

With a 4-2 lead in the ninth, Rogers set the Diamondbacks down in order (2 K) to pick up his third save on the season. Jarlin García pitched a scoreless seventh — he has not allowed a run in 12 innings this season — and Tony Watson pitched a scoreless eighth.

 

Losing A Grip

•None

 

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.