Reliever Ranks – 4/19

Welcome back to the newest edition of our Reliever Ranks series! This will bring you up-to-date bullpen depth charts every morning for the day’s games and makes for an excellent tool for those looking to stream saves or wins. This series runs seven days a week, so check in every morning to get your daily bullpen fix!

 

Notes

 

Transaction and Schedule Notes

 

• Eight teams had a scheduled day off Monday (NYY, TOR, DET, KC, SEA, TEX, MIA, STL) and were able to rest ther bullpen arms for thew week ahead.
• On top of the scheduled days off, three games were postponed on Monday due to weather concerns so six teams get an added day of rest for their bullpens, including CWS, CLE, ARI, WAS, SF, and NYM. Of those, ARI, WAS, SF, and NYM will make up their games as part of a double header on Tuesday.
• The following teams don’t have another scheduled day through the month of April and will need to manage their bullpen usage carefully to avoid over working in the next two weeks – BOS, TOR, TEX, CLE, TEX, STL, ARI
• Oakland placed a few players, including relievers Lou Trivino and A.J. Puk on the Covid 19 restricted list Monday

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

• In a somewhat surprising move, the Twins opted to utilize their young phenom Jhoan Duran in the seventh inning to hold their three run lead. Set to face the bottom three of the Red Sox’ line up, Duran dazzled by striking out Travis Shaw before giving up a long home run to Christian Vazquez and walking Jackie Bradley Jr. to follow. Duran would come away with his first hold of the season after striking out the final two batters of the inning. Minnesota would go on to score another four runs in the top of the eighth, putting the save opportunity out of reach for the rest of the bullpen. Griffin Jax was then tasked to end the game, collecting the final six outs while scattering five hits and zero walks through his twi innings. Duran should see some rest on Tuesday, giving a clearer path to a save opportunity for Emilio Pagán or possibly Tyler Duffey.
• With Ryan Pressly on the shelf for the time being, manager Dusty Baker said he would be expecting a committee to fill in during Pressly’s absence. Baker received two very strong auditions Monday from the two options he has with closing past closing experience as the Astros would roll to a five run victory over the Angels. Rafael Montero struck out the side in the 8th inning while Hector Neris got the final three out of the game, two of which came about by way of the strikeout as well. Neris may very well see some rest Tuesday after needing 23 pitches to get through that final inning, giving Ryne Stanek the the opportunity to audition on Tuesday.
• Alex Colomé picked up his first save of the 2022 campaign, as Daniel Bard was given another night off after his back-to-back usage over the weekend. With Robert Stephenson still on the Covid 19 list for the Rockies, Colomé should continue to be provided ample opportunity to solidify himself in the Colorado endgame plans, but expect strikeout reliant Bud Black to lean toward Bard when fully rested.
• The Phillies gave Corey Knebel some work despite the three run deficit as their closer hadn’t seen any on-field action since Thursday. Knebel allowed a Brendan Rodgers double and struck out one in his scoreless inning of work and should still be expected to be available Tuesday after only throwing 13 pitches on Monday.
• With Lou Trivino and A.J. Puk being placed on the Covid 19 restricted list, the back end of the Oakland bullpen should be anchored by Dany Jiménez in the short term. Jiménez did close things out Monday in the Athletics’ four run victory over the Orioles, though not without some drama to go with it. After a lead off walk, Jiménez collected two outs and then proceeded to load the bases on back-to-back singles before finally closing the door on a game-ending strike out of pinch hitter Ryan McKenna. Though the 24 pitch outing may keep Jiménez on the bench Tuesday, he should be the one to rely on here while Trivino is out the rest of the week.
• Despite needing 25 pitches, Taylor Rogers recorded his NL-leading fifth save on Monday. That marks the second straight day for the Padres’ closer, with Rogers throwing throwing a much more efficient outing of just 12 pitches on Sunday, and should warrant a day off Tuesday. Expect Luis Garcia to see action in the ninth inning in a close game Tuesday.
• The Dodgers’ bullpen put up an all around dominant performance Monday, with four pitchers combining for three holds, four hits, zero walks, and five strike outs in the final four innings. Craig Kimbrel of course came out last, walking away with his third save of the season after putting down the final three Atlanta hitters of the evening. Brusdar Graterol, Daniel Hudson, and Phil Bickford each collected a hold thanks to their scoreless outings and should each continue to be viable options in leagues where the stat is a contributing category. No reliever needed more than 16 pitches to get their their inning of work.
• David Robertson struck out Kevin Keiermaier and pitched around a Mike Zunino walk to pick up his fourth save of the young season. This marks back-to-back days for Robertson, though he’s combined for just 23 pitches between his Sunday and Monday outings. Mychel Givens or Rowan Wick may be given the opportunity to close things out on Tuesday if needed, but don’t read too much into the situation if that does occur.

 

 

Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)