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
- The Arizona Diamondbacks placed Drey Jameson on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. He will undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the issue. Justin Martinez, the team’s number 18 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, was recalled in a corresponding move and will enter the chart as a bulk relief option. He’s just 21 years old and has struck out 29.3% of batters at Triple-A Reno with a 3.77 ERA (31 IP) while inducing ground balls at a 58.5% rate.
- The Boston Red Sox placed Kaleb Ort on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Chris Murphy was added to the chart as a multi-inning reliever.
Yesterday’s Performances
ATL 2 – TBR 1
H: A.J. Minter (11), Nick Anderson (15)
SV: Raisel Iglesias (16)
- Raisel Iglesias is currently sporting his worst ERA since 2019. However, he’s been slightly unlucky in many departments as his xFIP suggests he’s earned a 2.98 mark. His changeup continues to be among the best in baseball with a 98th percentile, 34.3% swinging strike rate that helps Iglesias maintain his 30% strikeout rate. While he’s not as elite as he was with the Angels in 2021, he’s on the best team in baseball and is an above-average closer. That’ll definitely suffice for fantasy standards.
- Elvin Rodríguez covered the final 10 outs for the Rays in his 2023 debut He held a dangerous Braves without a baserunner while striking out five and inducing nine whiffs with a 34% CSW. At Triple-A, the 25-year-old right-hander pitched to a 3.40 ERA (45 IP) with a 26% strikeout rate, but never appeared out of the pen. Maybe he can reach another level as a reliever. We all know the Rays would be the ones to help him attain it.
PHI 4 – MIA 3
H: Tanner Scott (17)
SV: Craig Kimbrel (14)
- Craig Kimbrel was able to capitalize on a late-game blown save. He found himself in a save situation in the bottom of the ninth and made the most of his appearance, earning his 14th save in the process. It’s been a significant bounce-back season for the future Hall of Famer. Since his main competition hit the IL, he’s been one of the most elite relievers in baseball. From May 9th to today, the right-hander has pitched to a 1.08 ERA (25 IP) and has saved 11 ballgames. That comes with a 43.5% strikeout rate which places him in the Top Five in the MLB during that span. Rightfully so, he also lands highly on the leaderboards for K-BB%, xFIP, SIERA, and Stuff+. He’s now pitched on consecutive days and in three of the past four, so José Alvarado may get the call on Saturday.
- A.J. Puk entered the ninth with a two-run lead but quickly let it slip away. He started the inning with a single and a strikeout, but things got dire when he unleashed a wild pitch and then allowed a double to knock in a run. Another strikeout took him to the precipice of a save, but the southpaw surrendered a go-ahead home run to Cristian Pache. That lead would stand and Puk would be tagged with his third loss and fourth blown save. His ERA now sits at 4.18 (28 IP), which is notably worse than some of the other lefties having great seasons in that arm barn. It might be time to speculate on Tanner Scott who has pitched to a 1.95 ERA (32.1 IP) since April 29th while striking out 41.1% of batters.
CHC 3 – NYY 0
SV: Adbert Alzolay (6)
- After back-to-back blowups, Adbert Alzolay has bounced back with two saves in three days. He’s been the clear-cut closer in Chicago for a few weeks now, and while the saves have been few and far between, there is a clear preference to use him in the ninth over his peers. His 25.4% K-BB% is elite and supports his 2.35 ERA (38.1 IP) and should continue to produce scoreless outings like this one. He’s pitched in three of the past four days and may turn things over to Mark Leiter Jr. for the next save opportunity.
- Clay Holmes pitched the ninth despite a three-run deficit. While he was being used to keep the game close, it’s weird to utilize your closer in a game that has such a low chance of being won. He hadn’t pitched in three days, so it can be considered a maintenance outing of sorts, but sometimes we see pitchers go a full week without pitching. Despite the questions, I don’t think this should have any effect on the outlook of Holmes as the closer in the Bronx.
BAL 3 – MIN 1
- Félix Bautista pitched the ninth in a tie game and stayed on for the 10th after his offense grabbed the lead. He earned his fourth win by keeping the Twins hitless across that pair of frames while striking out a trio of batters. He continues to be, by far, the most dominant pitcher in baseball this year. His 1.07 ERA (42 IP) paces the pack by almost half a run and his 50.6% strikeout rate is 12% above the second-best strikeout pitcher (min. 40 IP). He will be an integral piece of the Orioles’ playoff run.
- Jhoan Duran attempted to match Bautista. He pitched a scoreless ninth in a tie game but ran into trouble when faced with the zombie runner. He allowed two runs to score in the 10th and was ultimately tagged with his fourth loss. Jovani Moran has been quietly solid for the Twins. While his 4.08 ERA (35.1 IP) and 27.3% strikeout rate don’t particularly stand out, he does have some appealing metrics. His 33.4% CSW is in the 88th percentile, due in most part to a changeup that induces swinging strikes at a 24% rate. He’s also exceptional at inducing weak contact, rating out in the Top 20 among relievers in hard contact rate. If he can work on reducing his free passes (13.3% BB%), he’s got some appealing stuff with which to work.
The best of the rest…
- Will Smith pitched the ninth despite a five-run lead. He struck out two in a perfect inning, but the usage was weird. Can never be too sure about a safe lead when facing the Nationals, I guess.
- Emmanuel Clase locked down his 25th save in a win over the Royals. He is now tied with Alexis Díaz, Jordan Romano, and Camilo Doval for the MLB lead in saves.
- Kendall Graveman secured save number seven with a scoreless ninth after the lead change hands multiple times in the late innings. He’s now pitched on back-to-back days and in three of the past four, so expect to see Reynaldo López in the ninth on Saturday.
- It didn’t look like Devin Williams would be needed, but after Tyson Miller struggled to begin the ninth, Williams was brought on to put a stop to a potential comeback. The 2023 All-Star recorded his 19th save in the process and lowered his ERA to 1.95 (32.1 IP).
- David Robertson pitched the 10th with a four-run lead and nearly gave the Padres life when he surrendered a two-run homer to Manny Machado. Luckily, he was able to settle down and lock down the Mets’ win. He’s now in three of the last four days, so we may see Buck Showalter call upon Adam Ottavino on Saturday.
- The Rockies turned to Daniel Bard in the ninth for him to collect his first save of the year. Justin Lawrence pitched the eighth, so there was definitely something fishy going on. It’s the Rockies, so they could just be having some fun, but it’s worth wondering if they’re testing Bard’s confidence after he’s spent a couple of months building it up. It’ll be worth monitoring to see if they’re transitioning him back into the closer role.
Bullpen Depth Charts
The Hold Up: Ranking the Top 100 Relievers for Holds Every Thursday