Bullpen Report: July 5, 2022

The 2022 version of 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

•Jorge López, BAL: 24 pitches on Monday, three of last four days. | Roster Resource

While it wasn’t recorded as a blown save, López struggled in his third straight outing when he gave up a go-ahead bomb to Marcus Semien in the top of the ninth. He’ll likely need a day or two off to figure some things out. Both setup men Félix Bautista and Dillon Tate should be available on Tuesday if needed.

•Gregory Soto, DET: 27 pitches on Monday. | Roster Resource

Both Soto and Michael Fulmer are listed as “High Usage Alert” going into action on Tuesday after a double-header on Monday. If both are unavilable, Andrew Chafin may be the go to guy for high-leverage action.

•Scott Barlow, KCR: 9 pitches on Monday, three of the last four days. | Roster Resource

A blown save on Monday coupled with high usage as of late likely makes Barlow unavailable on Tuesday. That leaves Jose Cuas the most likely to fill-in as Taylor Clarke is also on “High Usage Alert” and Josh Staumont is on the IL.

•Will Smith, ATL: 35 pitches on Monday, two of last three days. | Roster Resource

A.J. Minter should be available if Smith is in need of rest.

•Tanner Rainey, WSN: 16 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | Roster Resource

Both Rainey and Kyle Finnegan have been used in back-to-back days and will likely be unavailable on Tuesday. Carl Edwards Jr. may be the beneficiary of a save opportunity if one comes up.

•David Robertson, CHC: 25 pitches on Monday, three of last four days. | Roster Resource

Both setup men Mychal Givens and Chris Martin should be available for the cubs on Tuesday.

•Josh Hader, MIL 21 pitches on Monday, back-to-back days. | Roster Resource

Hader, Devin Williams, and Brad Boxberger are all on “High Usage Alert”. That leaves Trevor Gott or Brent Suter as likely candidates if all three regulars are unavailable.

Injury News

•None

 

Outlier Saves

•Dylan Floro, MIA | Roster Resource

Extra innings in Washington, D.C. gave Jimmy Yacabonis the opportunity to record a win and Dylan Floro the save. With the game tied at one in the bottom of the ninth Yacabonis threw a clean inning, took the game into extras, and handed off the save opportunity to Floro after the offense scored two in the top of the ninth. Floro didn’t necessarily dominate as he gave up a single to the first batter he faced, putting runners on first and third. His second batter faced grounded into a double play and scored the zombie runner from third, cutting the lead to only one. Keibert Ruiz then came to bat and singled, bringing the game-winning run to the plate. Floro was able to force the ground ball out and close out the game. Shakey as it was, Floro earned the save, his second of the season and second in two days. Floro’s July 3rd save was much cleaner. He recorded two strikeouts, gave up no runs, and only faced three batters. Inconsistency is what troubles this Marlins pen and there’s no reason to believe roles will shift away from Tanner Scott.

•Joe Jiménez, DET | Roster Resource

This outlier save is simply the result of a two-game double header against the Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers utilized the bullpen’s main characters in Andrew Chafin, Michael Fulmer, and Gregory Soto to ensure a win in game one. In game two, the supporting cast came in to relieve the 3.2-inning start from Alex Faedo with Tyler Alexander (win), Alex Lange (hold), and Jiménez (save) being utilized. It was Jiménez’s first save of the season.

•John Schreiber, BOS | Roster Resource

Tanner Houck pitched in back-to-back games on Saturday and Sunday and likely was unavailable on Monday. But, Schreiber has shown reliability of late in a Red Sox bullpen that has been anything but reliable. The Red Sox pen has a middle of the MLB pack ERA, but the highest HardHit% in the major leagues at 41.2%. Schreiber has been a breath of fresh air as he has not given up a run since May 27th. Since then, he has only given up six hits and has recorded two saves and 11 holds. While there’s nothing to write in the “Committee Clarity” section due to Houck’s solid performances, I wouldn’t discourage anyone from speculating on Schreiber getting more save opportunities moving forward.

•Seth Lugo, NYM | Roster Resource

Closer Edwin Díaz recorded a 21-pitch save on Sunday and was likely being given the day off. Seth Lugo came into the bottom of the ninth facing the bottom of the Reds order with a three-run lead. Lugo did well to induce weak contact, getting a groundout, fly-out, ground-ball single, and another ground out to end the game and record his third save of the season. Lugo is a great reliever to roster on fantasy teams that record holds and saves. He has 12 holds on the year and he remains a clear “next man up” in the Mets bullpen.

•Yency Almonte, LAD | Roster Resource

There’s a lot going on in the Dodgers pen currently including closer Craig Kimbrel’s struggles and injuries to some late-inning relievers. It’s possible that Dave Roberts wanted to give a late-inning opportunity to a less proven arm in Reyes Moronta with a four-run lead in the ninth. Moronta, however, could not meet the call and gave up two runs, one of which was a home run, in the top of the frame while recording two outs. It was then Almonte who was called upon to get the final out in the frame and was effectively brought into a save situation. He faced Charlie Blackmon with runners on first and second, and Blackmon hit a single to score another run, charging Moronta instead of Almonte. With runners on first and third, and Connor Joe stepping to the plate representing the go-ahead run, Almonte recorded the strikeout and the save to end the game.

Almonte was recently a topic of discussion on Effectively Wild due to the attention his velocity increase and pitch mix alteration has garnered. Perhaps Almonte could blossom into a weapon for the Dodgers. His 9.58 K/9 and 0.87 HR/9 look nice, but the difference between his 1.74 ERA and 3.12 xERA may come closer together. He’s one to watch, that’s for sure, but he’ll have to improve upon his control before he can be reliable in late innings.

 

Committee Clarity

•None

 

Losing a Grip

•None