Welcome back to the latest 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
- All 30 teams are scheduled to play today after all 30 teams played last night.
- 12 teams are anticipating an off day on Monday (BAL, NYY, TOR, MIN, HOU, LAA, SEA, WSN, CHC, CIN, MIL, and LAD).
- The White Sox and Guardians have a doubleheader scheduled for Tuesday. Neither team has a day off scheduled until the All-Star Break.
- Zack Littell (SF) was placed on the 15-day injured list. Yunior Marte was recalled from the minors in a subsequent move; Marte is anticipating his debut.
- Jake McGee (SF) was designated for assignment. The 35-year-old won the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers and went on to post some serious save figures with the Giants in 2021, but McGee’s production in 2022 had been a struggling contrast. He was previously DFA’d by the Rockies in the summer of 2020.
- Erik Swanson (SEA) was placed on the paternity list, while Ken Giles (SEA) was placed on the 15-day IL. The Mariners recalled young relievers Matt Brash and Matthew Festa to fill in.
- Craig Stammen (SD) was placed on the 15-day IL; the Padres recalled Dinelson Lamet in a subsequent move.
- Buck Farmer (CIN) had his contract purchased by the Reds; the 31-year-old has amassed over five years of MLB service. The move came after Ross Detwiler was placed on the 15-day IL.
- Michael Feliz (BOS) was designated for assignment, and Hansel Robles (BOS) cleared waivers and was released by the Red Sox. Both held a combined 11 years of MLB service; to fill their place, the Red Sox recalled Phillips Valdez and purchased the contract of Kaleb Ort from Triple-A.
Yesterday’s Performances
PHI 1 – STL 0
- Six total relievers were used in this contest, and none of them allowed a run over a combined five innings. The Phillies rode the hand of starter Kyle Gibson for seven frames, while José Alvarado (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) earned the win despite walking two batters in the eighth. Corey Knebel (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) earned save number 12 on the year and the Phillies now have a rested Brad Hand and Seranthony Dominguez available today.
- Four Cardinal relievers combined for three innings of work on Saturday, and it wasn’t until the ninth inning that the 0-0 tie would break. Ryan Helsley (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) carved through an eighth inning, striking out one and lowering his ERA to a 0.75 through 36 innings this year. Duties were then handed to closer Giovanny Gallegos with a ninth-inning tie, but a leadoff double and RBI single would give the Phillies all they needed. Jordan Hicks (1/3 IP, 1 BF, flyout) came up big for the Cardinals in the seventh, stranding two runners left on by Génesis Cabrera (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB).
BAL 1 – LAA 0
- Another bullpen duel! Baltimore collected three holds and a save in this contest; Bruce Zimmerman (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R), Joey Krehbiel (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Félix Bautista (1 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H) earned those holds and did not walk a single batter. (Bautista also lowered his ERA to a 1.82, perhaps prompting some trade deadline eyes to take notice.) Jorge López (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K) closed out the final frame, earning save number 16, and the Orioles’ bullpen could be running on fumes for the Sunday finale with the Angels.
- The Angels recorded five outs by relievers on Saturday and a shutout performance ensued. Aaron Loup (2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H) capped off the final two outs of the seventh inning that starter Patrick Sandoval didn’t finish. while Andrew Wantz (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) tossed a three-up, three-down ninth. Closer Raisel Iglesias threw 33 pitches on Friday while setup arm Ryan Tepera tossed 20, so the Angels are left to monitor the workloads of their top relievers — and could be in need of a comfortable early lead against Baltimore today.
TEX 9 – MIN 7
- The highest-scoring affair of the day featured a lot greater bullpen productivity than one might expect; Texas relievers combined for three innings of two-hit work. José Leclerc (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) earned a seventh-inning hold and Dennis Santana followed (2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R), but a second blown save of his year was recorded before he could finish the eighth. Matt Moore (1/3 IP, 1 BF, grountout) earned the win while throwing just one pitch, and a late lead was retained by Texas in time for Brett Martin (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) to earn his second save of the year. Brock Burke could be in line for a save in Texas today after much of their often-closer-committee bullpen tossed either Friday or Saturday (or both days).
- Minnesota’s bullpen was looking fantastic for nearly four innings; the relief squad took over for Devin Smeltzer with just one out in the fourth, and the score was already 7-6 at the completion of that inning. Griffin Jax (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) finished up the fourth for Smeltzer and Tyler Duffy followed (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R). Trevor Megill (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 3 K) clawed through the seventh and eighth inning, but a ninth-inning hit parade on Jhoan Duran (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R) was all Texas would need. Duran lifted his ERA to a still-impressive 2.37 on the year.
OAK 3 – HOU 2
- Saves and holds were all over the place at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday. A.J. Puk (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Domingo Acevedo (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Zach Jackson (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Sam Moll (1/3 IP, 1 BF, lineout) all went home with holds, while Lou Trivino (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) worked back to his saving ways for his seventh on the year. It took a bullpen reserve and a half to keep the Astros at bay on Saturday, so the A’s could use a nice, long start from Cole Irvin this afternoon to help preserve the late innings.
- Houston rode the arm of Framber Valdez for a complete game on Saturday; he allowed three runs (two earned) in the eight-inning loss. This means Houston can throw the bullpen gauntlet against Oakland on Sunday — and that the A’s could definitely use a long start from Irvin to seal a series win.
CLE 13 – KC 1
- Late-inning leverage was practically nonexistent in this one; Cleveland preserved many of their top relief arms, working Bryan Shaw (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R/0 ER), James Karinchak (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and Nick Sandlin (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) with a heavy lead. Emmanuel Clase hasn’t thrown since Wednesday and should be ready to roll.
- Five runs were scored off Royals reliever Jackson Kowar (2 2/3 IP, 7 H) after starter Jonathan Heasley recorded just four outs. The Royals saw productive performances out of Wyatt Mills (1 2/3 IP, 4 H, 0 R) and Amir Garrett (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R), but the club conceded the ninth inning to position player Michael A. Taylor with a 10-run deficit. Both the Guardians and Royals have a far rested bullpen.
CIN 5 – TB 4
- We had two extra-inning showdowns on Saturday; this one featured a Reds squad that powered through after a tough eighth inning. Buck Farmer (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) set the table, but the eighth by Ian Gibaut (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R) gave Tampa Bay the life it needed. Hunter Strickland posted a zero in the ninth (1 IP, 1 H) and all that scored off 10th-inning man Jeff Hoffman was the opening runner on second (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER). Sunday’s matchup could be even heavier in favor of the Rays given the amount of relievers that pitched on Saturday.
- Tampa Bay had plenty of holds to speak of — Ryan Thompson (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Jason Adam (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Brooks Raley (1/3 IP, 2 H, 3 R) collected those holds despite Raley’s day being the team’s clear worst. A blown save was credited to Calvin Faucher (0 IP, 3 BF, 3 H) following a single, wild pitch, single and walk-off single to end the ballgame. The Rays retain their historically-deep bullpen but their Sunday availability might be a lit tired.
ATL 4 – WSN 3
- Two bullpen innings were needed by the Braves in this one; Will Smith set the table with a scoreless eighth (1 IP, 2 H), collecting his 10th hold of the year. A.J. Minter earned his third save of the year (1 IP, 2 H), dropping his season ERA to a 1.70. Atlanta enters today with a somewhat-rested bullpen, with a similar story taking place on the other side of the ball.
- Washington also used two relievers for two combined innings on Monday. Steve Cishek (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) worked a scoreless seventh and Mason Thompson (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) posted a productive eighth. Tanner Rainey, Kyle Finnegan and Carl Edwards Jr. have not pitched since Friday and could be called upon as needed today.
NYM 5 – MIA 4
- All sorts of bullpen fun to be had in Queens; the Mets rode the arms of Seth Lugo (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Adam Ottavino (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 1 ER), Edwin Díaz (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) before handing a 10th-inning ghost-runner lead to rookie Colin Holderman (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER). Ottavino was credited with a blown save, but the rest of the crew was somewhat stiffed by a lack of hold opportunities.
- For the reliever moment that you just had to see to believe; Tanner Scott fielded a comebacker but made an errant throw over to first base, eventually cashing in one run in a closely-contested 5-4 game.. The throw kicked away from the Marlins’ first baseman and this is how the Mets walked if off. Miami also pitched Anthony Bass (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), lowering his ERA to a 1.51.
PIT 4 – MIL 3
- Pittsburgh saw 13 outs recorded by relievers, capped by David Bednar 15th save (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). Wil Crowe collected his 10th hold (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) alongside Duane Underwood Jr.’s sixth (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R). Chase De Jong picked up the win, recording just two outs (1 H), and the Pittsburgh relief core has been used heavily over the past five days.
- Milwaukee was working with a tired bullpen on Saturday after Josh Hader and Devin Williams broke the 20-pitch mark on Friday. The Brewers rolled out Brad Boxberger in the seventh (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R) but he was quickly tabbed with a blown save, giving Pittsburgh the one-run advantage they would need. Hoby Milner tossed a scoreless eighth (0 H, 3 K), lowering his ERA to a 2.18, while Jandel Gustave posted a zero in the ninth (0 H, 0 R, 2 K). Due to high pitch counts, Milwaukee may opt to keep Hader, Williams and Boxberger rested today unless a specially-curated situation presents itself. The All-Star Break is also in sight, however, and perhaps this will encourage heavier usage leading up to it.
CWS 8 – DET 0
- There was hardly any relief needed for the White Sox in this contest; eight strong innings by Johnny Cueto sent an 8-0 lead into the ninth. José Ruiz (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) capped off the final three outs and Chicago’s bullpen remains heavily rested for today’s series finale. Liam Hendriks and Kendall Graveman have not pitched since Wednesday.
- Detroit called upon two relievers and a position player for three innings on Saturday. Will Vest (1 IP, 3 H, 2 R) was roughed up but also managed to strike out the side. Jason Foley (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) capped off the eighth inning while the ninth was reserved for outfielder Kody Clemens, tossing a perfect frame with three groundouts. Detroit used their bullpen heavily from Monday through Thursday, and their relief core is in far more recovered shape despite a tough Saturday for the Tigers.
ARI 9 – COL 2
- Seven strong frames from Madison Bumgarner was enough for Arizona to pull away with this one; the D-Backs led 6-2 upon his departure at the seventh-inning stretch. Noé Ramirez (1 IP, 0 R 0 H, 2 K) and Caleb Smith (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 K) sealed the deal, both working towards a mid-four ERA. Arizona’s hottest reliever Joe Mantiply has not pitched since Wednesday, while the strange use of Mark Melancon over the past week was pushed into a consecutive day of rest.
- Colorado needed five outs from their bullpen on Saturday after starter Kyle Freeland departed with one out in the seventh. Carlos Estévez (2/3 IP, 1 H) finished the frame but allowed two of Freeland’s runs to score. Jhoulys Chacín (1 IP, 4 H, 3 R) was then tasked with the eighth, and a tough showing lifted his ERA to a 7.32. Colorado burned through a lot of relievers on both Thursday and Friday — both wins over Arizona — and Sunday could feature some stronger arms like Daniel Bard and Lucas Gilbreath pitching in similar situations.
SF 3 – SD 1
- There were nine games decided by one run on Saturday; a two-run contest in San Diego may as well count as an honorary 11th. All the Giants needed was a three-hit complete game by Carlos Rodón; San Francisco now has one of the more rested bullpens in the league after few arms were used on both Friday and Saturday. Tyler Rogers tossed 29 pitches on Friday, however, and the recent DFA of Jake McGee has cycled in some new faces to the Giants bullpen (see above transactions).
- Yu Darvish carved through seven innings of three-hit, one-run action but it wasn’t enough with the six runs of bullpen action that would ensue. Luis García (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R) was charged with the loss after a walk to Joc Pederson and a decisive homer by Wilmer Flores. San Diego would finish their night on the mound with Tim Hill (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R), and with some extra rest for closer Taylor Rogers, today could be the day he avenges a blown save in his previous appearance.
BOS 6 – NYY 5
- Fenway cooked up 14 innings of bullpen action on Saturday night; 10 innings were thrown by Red Sox relievers, and damage was done both early and late. Ryan Brasier was first on in relief (1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R) but the score quickly shifted in New York’s favor. Matt Strahm would finish the frame (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and leave one of Brasier’s runners on base. John Schreiber provided some seventh-inning comfort (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Tanner Houck silenced the Yankees’ bats for the eighth and ninth (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but the resurgent effort would turn south in extras with Jake Diekman (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R/1 ER) lifting his ERA to a (still impressive) 2.93. A walk-off winner sealed this showdown, but the Red Sox got a little taste of everything from their relievers – except saves and holds.
- The Yankees tossed three relievers and the highest ERA in the mix was Wandy Peralta’s solid 2.51. An A-team of Michael King (2 IP, 1 H, 1 R), Clay Holmes (1 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Peralta (2/3 IP, 3 H, 3 R/2 ER) set the table for some clutch moments, but some 10th-inning traffic and a walk-off single off the bat of Alex Verdugo lifted Peralta’s ERA north of 2.50. King now holds a 2.33, while Holmes shaved his down to a 0.46.
LAD 4 – CHC 2
- A Los Angeles nightcap was fueled by a 7 2/3-inning performance by Clayton Kershaw (5 H, 2 R/1 ER), and the table was set for a quick bullpen finale. Evan Phillips (1/3 IP, 1 BF, flyout) capped off the eighth inning for Kershaw, and the ninth was reserved for Craig Kimbrel’s 15th safe of the year (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K). This was a solid step for a recently-shaky Kimbrel, and a big step for bullpen rest thanks to Kershaw doing Kershaw.
- Marcus Stroman’s return from the injured list lasted just four innings, but a strong four innings (2 H, 0 R). The Cubs had four additional frames in relief, but damage was done primarily to Rowan Wick (BS, L, 2/3 IP, 5 H, 3 R), allowing more runs than outs he collected. Scott Effross was also charged with a blown save (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R), but the Cubs bullpen was otherwise strong with Brandon Hughes tossing the fifth (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Michael Rucker capping off the last four outs in the field (1 1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R). This game would have been an ideal contest for either David Robertson or Mychal Givens, but both threw 20 or more pitches in Friday’s one-run loss.
SEA 2 – TOR 1
- A late night in Seattle gave us the ninth one-run contest of the day; Seattle worked three innings in relief with plenty of their top bullpen arms. Matt Brash earned the win (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) despite six innings of one-run work by starter Robbie Ray. Eighth-inning duties went to Andrés Muñoz (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K), picking up his ninth hold of the season, while Diego Castillo worked his fifth save of the year in a scoreless ninth (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R). Paul Sewald tossed 30 pitches on Friday, so Seattle can really use the off day they have scheduled for Monday.
- Toronto saw 7 1/3 innings out of starter Alek Manoah, and just two outs were needed out of their bullpen. Yimi Garcia made it quick (2/3, 0 H, 0 R), and Toronto’s bullpen is far more rested than Seattle’s for today’s series finale.
Bullpen Depth Charts
Also, if you’re looking for a detailed list or ranking of RPs, check out Rick Graham’s weekly pieces:
The Hold Up 7/7: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday