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
- Every team was in action on Saturday and 15 games are set to be played on Sunday.
- Arizona Diamondbacks activated LHP Anthony Misiewicz from the 15-day injured list
- San Diego Padres activated RHP Luis García from the 15-day injured list.
- New York Mets designated RHP Tommy Hunter for assignment and recalled RHP John Curtiss from Syracuse.
- Los Angeles Angels placed RHP Ben Joyce on the 15-day injured list. Ulnar neuritis (Elbow).
- Cleveland Guardians optioned RHP James Karinchak to Columbus and recalled LHP Tim Herrin.
- Cincinnati Reds optioned RHP Joel Kuhnel to Louisville and recalled RHP Kevin Herget.
- Chicago White Sox placed RHP Liam Hendriks on the 15-day injured list retroactive to June 10, 2023. Right elbow inflammation
Yesterday’s Performances
BOS 1 – NYY 3
H: Wandy Peralta (7), Tommy Kahnle (1)
SV: Clay Holmes (8)
- Clay Holmes picked up his eighth save of the season yesterday and seems to be taking back control of the ninth inning for the Yankees. He’s allowed just one earned run over his last 17.1 IP, but that stretch hasn’t exactly been “dominant” as he does have a WHIP over 1.00 and his K-BB rate of 20% is good, but again, not the peak Clay Holmes we’ve seen in the past. Even still, this is still a closer we may be able to trust again, as he’s still Aaron Boone’s most trusted reliever at the moment.
- Tommy Kahnle picked up his first hold of the season, and the changeup specialist has pitched well so far since returning from the IL, yet to allow a run over four innings. The hold should be the first of many to come as long as he can stay healthy.
MIA 5 – CWS 1
H: Reynaldo López (8), Gregory Santos (2)
- Joe Kelly was called on to close out a one-run lead yesterday, and melted down pretty spectacularly, as he loaded the bases before even getting an out. Tim Anderson did have a brutal error that wound up making it a tie game before Kelly then walked another batter. Garrett Crochet came in and opened the floodgates by allowing a double to Jean Segura. This remains a very talented bullpen, but there are clearly some things that need to be cleaned up here.
- On the other side of this one, Steven Okert wound up getting the win after pitching the 8th inning down a run. Despite it not being a save situation, A.J. Puk still finished off the game, allowing just one hit and striking out two in the inning. He’s looked great so far since returning from the injured list earlier in the week.
SD 3 – COL 2
H: Steven Wilson (11), Tim Hill (7), Nick Martinez (6)
SV: Josh Hader (15)
- The Padres showed off their bullpen yesterday, getting great work from Steven Wilson who worked 1.2 perfect innings. Josh Hader closed things out, pitching a clean ninth and adding two strikeouts for his 15th save of the season. It’s good to see the dominant outing from Hader, as his last three had not gone so well (2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 0 K).
- Despite being down a run, we still may have gotten confirmation that Justin Lawrence is the new closer in Colorado as he worked the ninth inning of this one with deposed closer Pierce Johnson pitching in the 8th inning. This shouldn’t come as a surprise at this point, but it’s good to see some more confirmation as to who the favorite for saves is moving forward.
WAS 4 – ATL 6
H: Jesse Chavez (13), Joe Jiménez (3)
SV: A.J. Minter (9)
- With Raisel Iglesias getting the day off, A.J. Minter was able to close out the Nationals for his ninth save of the season despite allowing a leadoff home run. Minter still carries a bloated ERA but he’s pitched much better as of late, with yesterday’s home run being the only hit and only run he’s allowed over his past 6.1 innings.
- Joe Jiménez picked up just his third hold of the season in this one, and his usage has definitely been frustrating as he has pitched pretty well this season, just in mostly low-leverage spots. After an up-and-down May, hopefully, Jiménez can settle in in June and work his way back into consistent hold chances.
HOU 6 – CLE 4
H: Bryan Abreu (10)
SV: Ryan Pressly (12)
- Ryan Pressly picked up his 12th save of the season yesterday, allowing just an unearned run that came off an Alex Bregman error. While it was an unearned run, Pressly has now allowed runs in four of his last 5 outings. Despite this, I don’t have too many concerns with him moving forward as the Astros closer. Pressly’s 17.7% SwStr and 24.3% K-BB rates to go with a 2.30 SIERA are promising while his 156 Stuff+ actually ranks best amongst closers.
- It’s good to see Bryan Abreu get to 10 holds on the season, and he’s also just the second reliever to reach the 50-strikeout mark. He remains an elite non-closer reliever to roster.
The Best of the Rest…
- Both Andrés Muñoz and Paul Sewald pitched in this game to protect a four-run lead. Sewald has been great all season, but it’s fun seeing a healthy Muñoz pitch again, as he’s been dominant since returning from the IL, throwing a perfect 2.1 IP while striking out five.
- David Robertson and Adam Ottavino helped finish the game for the Mets yesterday, protecting a four-run lead. Robertson worked the 8th inning and earned his sixth hold of the season while Ottavino worked the 9th in a non-save situation. Over the past two months, both relievers have totaled six holds a piece, while Robertson has eight saves to Ottavino’s five.
- Devin Williams and Alexis Díaz both worked in non-save situations. Díaz allowed a solo HR to Nolan Arenado, but there’s nothing to worry about with him moving forward.
- Josh Sborz picked up his fifth hold of the season yesterday, and while May was difficult for the talented right-handed reliever, Bruce Bochy and Co. seem to trust him in high-leverage spots still. We can see the type of upside Sborz has in his last 6.1 IP, allowing no hits and just one walk over that span to go with 11 Ks.
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)