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
- Bryan Abreu was activated yesterday after serving a suspension and promptly allowed 3 ER in 1 IP, taking the loss against the Yankees. More on that below.
- Roansy Contreras was activated from the paternity list, with Jose Hernandez being optioned to Triple-A in a corresponding move for the Pirates. Hernandez notched a save in the Pirates’ extra-inning season opener, but this move clearly indicates it was a one-off occurrence.
- Clayton Beeter was optioned by the Yankees.
Yesterday’s Performances
MIL 7 – NYM 6
W: Elvis Peguero (1)
SV: Abner Uribe (2)
- Uribe notched a save for the second straight game, as he fanned two and gave up a solo shot to Pete Alonso in his inning of work. He seems to have a firm hold on the closer’s job in Milwaukee, but competitor Trevor Megill is worth monitoring, as he struck out the side in a scoreless seventh. Joel Payamps could get a look today in a save situation given that Megill and Uribe have both pitched on back-to-back days.
- Elvis Peguero vultured the win, working two scoreless innings behind starter DL Hall.
DET 7 – CHW 6 (10)
W: Shelby Miller (1)
L: Deivi García (1)
HD: Jordan Leasure (1), Dominic Leone (1)
- The biggest takeaway from this game is that save chances are rapidly slipping away from Alex Lange, who came in the game in the seventh inning and walked three of the four hitters he faced before being bailed out by Will Vest. Jason Foley, who didn’t pitch in this one, still seems to be the go-to guy in Detroit, but Vest may also get some chances. Miller also figures to continue to get high-leverage work after two scoreless and hitless innings in this one.
- This contest did not give us a clear look into the White Sox closing situation, but John Brebbia pitching a scoreless top of the ninth for the Sox indicates he may get the first save look when it arises.
BAL 13 – LAA 4
- No saves or holds in this one, as the O’s put up nine runs in the sixth off of three different pitchers.
- Cionel Pérez exited his season debut in the ninth after just two hitters due to lower back discomfort, which may open up more holds opportunities for lefties Keegan Akin and Danny Coulombe. Craig Kimbrel has still yet to make his Orioles debut.
ATL 12 – PHI 4
W: Jesse Chavez (1)
H: Tyler Matzek (1)
- Jesse Chavez got the win in this one after Max Fried was pulled in the first inning. Tyler Matzek also worked a scoreless 1.1 IP in his return to the mound after missing all of last season.
CLE 12 – OAK 3
W: Nick Sandlin (1)
- Nick Sandlin pitched a scoreless fifth inning behind Tanner Bibee to get the win in this one. Cade Smith and Tyler Beede (combined 4 IP, 0 H, 0 ER, 8 Ks) both shined in long relief.
MIN 5 – KCR 1
W: Griffin Jax (1)
L: Will Smith (1)
HD: John Schreiber (1)
BS: James McArthur (1)
- There was lots of action in this one, as Griffin Jax worked a scoreless bottom of the eighth in a tie game before the Twins exploded for four runs off of Will Smith in the ninth, giving Jax a win and a save in Minnesota’s first two games. Jax pitched against the heart of the order in the eighth, indicating that Rocco Baldelli may pick his spots with Jax as the Twins’ go-to high-leverage reliever. Brock Stewart pitched a scoreless ninth behind Jax, so he could get some save looks when Jax enters a game before the ninth.
- James McArthur and Smith both showed poorly in their season debuts, offering no clarity on the Royals’ closer situation.
PIT 9 – MIA 3
HD: Ryan Borucki (1)
- There is little to report here, as Ryan Borucki was the only reliever to notch a save, hold, or win with 0.2 scoreless IP (though he did let an inherited runner score). David Bednar pitched a scoreless ninth in his season debut, and Anthony Bender did the same in the ninth for the Fish, striking out the side.
TB 5 – TOR 1
HD: Colin Poche (1), Phil Maton (1), Jason Adam (1)
- The Rays’ bullpen was back at it again yesterday, with three stalwarts notching holds before Pete Fairbanks struck out two in the ninth with a four-run lead. Look for these three arms to continue to notch holds all year; Shawn Armstrong should also see some opportunities.
WSH 7 – CIN 6
W: Hunter Harvey (1)
L: Alexis Díaz (1)
SV: Kyle Finnegan (1)
HD: Fernando Cruz (1)
BS: Lucas Sims (1)
- This topsy-turvy affair ended with Hunter Harvey (1 IP, 2 ER) the recipient of an undeserving win after the Nats put up three runs in the top of the ninth against Alexis Díaz. Diaz looked very shaky, allowing five of the six hitters he faced to reach base (2 H, 2 BB, 1 HBP). He still has a strong hold on the closer’s job, but managers should keep an eye on him in case he continues to struggle. Emilio Pagán would likely be next in line for save chances.
- We got some clarity on the Nationals’ closing situation, as Harvey labored through the eighth and allowed the tiebreaking runs while Kyle Finnegan worked a scoreless ninth en route to his first save.
TEX 11 – CHC 2
HD: Josh Sborz (1), David Robertson (1), Kirby Yates (1)
- Three Rangers relievers notched holds in one-inning outings in this one before Ben Brown let things get out of hand in a six-run eighth inning for the defending champs. All three of them also worked scoreless innings in the Rangers’ win on Thursday, with David Robertson the biggest threat to current closer José Leclerc if he falters.
NYY 5 – HOU 3
L, BS: Bryan Abreu (1)
SV: Clay Holmes (2)
HD: Ian Hamilton (2), Parker Mushinski (1)
- Clay Holmes notched his second save of the season, getting the Astros 1-2-3 in the ninth. He and Ian Hamilton look to be a potent combo in the back of the Yankees’ pen.
- Bryan Abreu gave up two home runs in his one inning of work returning from suspension. The first tied the game, and the second put New York ahead. Ryan Pressly also gave up a solo shot in the eighth before Josh Hader worked a scoreless ninth. With these lackluster performances from Abreu and Pressly, Hader should expect to get every save opportunity when he’s available to pitch.
SF 9 – SD 6
HD: Taylor Rogers (1), Tyler Rogers (1)
- The Rogers brothers pitched back-to-back in this one, with Taylor going 1.2 IP before Tyler came in and secured the rare one-pitch hold. Camilo Doval entered a six-run game with one out in the ninth and promptly allowed a walk and home run before recording the last two outs, but his grip on the job remains strong.
COL 9 – ARI 4
W: Peter Lambert (1)
H: Jalen Beeks (1), Nick Mears (1)
- Peter Lambert followed Austin Gomber (4.2 IP, 4 ER) to vulture the win in this one. Tyler Kinley pitched a scoreless eighth and Justin Lawrence a scoreless ninth in a five-run game as Lawrence looks to get the bulk of the save opportunities after a vote of confidence from his manager.
STL 6 – LAD 5 (10)
W, BS: Ryan Helsley (1)
L: Kyle Hurt (1)
SV: Giovanny Gallegos (1)
HD: JoJo Romero (1), Andrew Kittredge (1), Daniel Hudson (1)
BS: Joe Kelly (1)
- This game was chock-full of bullpen intrigue! The Dodgers entered the seventh with a two-run lead after five scoreless innings from Yoshinobu Yamamoto and a scoreless sixth from Daniel Hudson, but Joe Kelly (0.2 IP, 3H, 1 BB, 1 HBP, 4 ER) imploded and gave up the lead. JoJo Romero and Andrew Kittredge then secured holds before closer Ryan Helsley, whose velocity remains noticeably down from last season, allowed four hits and two runs in the ninth to blow the save and send the game to extras.
- Helsley received an undeserving win after Kyle Hurt (2.2 IP, 0 ER, 3 K) allowed the placed runner to score in the top of the 10th. Evan Phillips came in after Hurt with two outs in the 10th and struck out the only hitter he faced. In the bottom of the 10th, Giovanny Gallegos struck out the first two hitters before loading the bases but got Shohei Ohtani to pop out to end the game. If Helsley continues to struggle with diminished stuff, Gallegos could find himself getting some save opportunities again in St. Louis.
SEA 4 – BOS 3 (10)
W: Tayler Saucedo (1)
L, BS: Joely Rodríguez (1)
- This game entered extra innings tied 1-1 before an eventful 10th. In the top of the 10th, Tyler Thornton and Taylor Saucedo combined to give up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk. Joely Rodríguez was brought on in the bottom of the 10th to close out the game because Kenley Jansen was dealing with back tightness. Rodriguez allowed three of the four hitters he faced to reach base before Justin Slaten allowed a walk-off single to Julio Rodríguez, the only hitter he faced.
- If Jansen continues to deal with back tightness, managers should look to Chris Martin for saves.
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: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday