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
- It was a light Thursday with only six games scheduled so most teams will go into the weekend at full strength.
- The Yankees transferred Jonathan Loáisiga from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL after he underwent surgery for a bone spur in his right elbow earlier this week. With the current state of their bullpen, the Yankees certainly could have used better news than this. Loáisiga was one of New York’s top setup arms in 2020 and 2021. He holds a career record of 18-9 with a 3.53 ERA in 201.1 IP. His best season came in 2021 when he went 9-4 with a 2.17 ERA and 18 holds.
- The Yankees also selected the contract of right-hander Ryan Weber from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Yesterday’s Performances
SD 3 – MIN 5
SV: Jorge López (3)
H: Brock Stewart (2)
BS/L: Brent Honeywell Jr. (2, 2-2)
W: Emilio Pagán (3-0)
- The Twins prevailed over the Padres behind a strong game from their bullpen. Emilio Pagán remained undefeated on the year, capturing his third win after pitching a scoreless inning. Despite two walks and facing a bases-loaded situation in the eighth inning, Brock Stewart also kept San Diego off the board and earned his second hold on the season. Jorge López continued his strong start to the season, striking out two in the ninth inning for the save. After stumbling in the second half of 2022 after being traded to the Twins from the Orioles, Lopez has a 1.59 ERA and 0.88 WHIP in 2023.
- Brent Honeywell Jr. was hit with the double negative of the blown save and loss after giving up three earned runs in the seventh inning. Steven Wilson and Tom Cosgrove also pitched for the Padres and did not allow any further runs the rest of the way.
NY 0 – CIN 5
SV: Kevin Herget (1)
W: Ben Lively (1)
- It was a unique game for the Reds as they rolled out a lineup of relievers in their victory over the Mets. “Starter” Derek Law pitched 1.1 innings before being replaced by Ben Lively. Lively pitched three innings in his first outing since being called up from Triple-A on Tuesday. He gave up four hits, struck out one, and was credited with the win – which was his first since 2017. Lucas Sims was next up for the Reds and pitched 1.2 scoreless innings, keeping his ERA perfect on the season. It was Kevin Herget’s first appearance since April 17 as he was also called up from Triple-A this week. He pitched three innings for his first career save. If you are looking for clarity in the Reds’ bullpen situation after the recent minor league call-ups (other than closer Alexis Díaz, who is locked into his role) this game probably did not clear anything up. It will take a few more games to determine this.
- For the Mets, Tommy Hunter and Dominic Leone pitched a combined three innings of scoreless relief after starter Kodai Senga had surrendered five runs.
CHW 3 – KC 4
H: Carlos Hernández (3)
BS: Aroldis Chapman (2)
L: Reynaldo López (0-3)
W: Scott Barlow (1-2)
- Aroldis Chapman blew his second save of the year after allowing two White Sox runs to cross with two outs in the eighth inning. Scott Barlow then earned the win after pitching a perfect ninth inning. Barlow and Chapman continue to serve as the high-leverage arms in Kansas City’s bullpen. Carlos Hernández also picked up a hold for the Royals.
- For the White Sox, Gregory Santos and Joe Kelly pitched the seventh and eighth innings without allowing a run. In the ninth inning, Reynaldo López gave up the winning run and was saddled with the loss. Lopez falls to 0-3 on the year and his season ERA is now at an unseemly 8.04.
TEX 4 – OAK 0
SV: Will Smith (7)
- There wasn’t much need for relievers for the Rangers on Thursday, as Nathan Eovaldi threw a gem over eight innings, striking out 12 and giving up three hits. Will Smith came in to finish the game and notched his third save of the week and his seventh save of the year. Smith also pitched on Monday and Wednesday so will likely be resting on Friday.
- The A’s used two relievers in this one, trotting out Sam Long in the seventh inning to relieve starter Luis Medina. Long gave up a hit and an earned run over two innings. Austin Pruitt finished the game out for Oakland with a scoreless ninth inning.
Best of the rest
- Tyler Rogers locked down his seventh hold in the Giants’ victory over the Diamondbacks. Camilo Doval closed out the ninth inning in a non-save situation and only threw nine pitches so he should be available on Friday, if needed. José Ruiz gave up three earned runs in the ninth inning for Arizona.
- The Rays beat the Yankees 8-2 but no holds or saves occurred in this game. It was a rough night for the Yankees’ bullpen as Ron Marinaccio gave up two earned runs, Albert Abreu gave up an earned run, and Ryan Weber gave up three earned runs in his season debut.
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
Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers
Top 100 Relievers for Save+Hold Leagues
(Photos by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Doug Carlin (@Bdougals on Twitter)