Reliever Ranks – 5/26

Welcome back to the newest 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

 

• ARI, KC, TOR, and STL had Wednesday off. All four return to the diamond this evening while eight teams have today off: HOU, SF, SEA, MIA, NYM, BAL, SD, and PIT.
• Five out of 13 games on Wednesday were decided by a single run (LAD @ WAS, MIL @ SD, MIA @ TB, CHC @ CIN, CLE @ HOU), and those teams could be running on bullpen fumes today if they don’t have the day off. (LAD should be clear after using just one reliever on Wednesday.)
• CWS and CHC have a strange off day on Friday before facing off in a two-game set. CHC will then play a doubleheader against MIL on Monday.
• BAL and BOS have a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday

 

• NYY’s Jonathan Loáisiga has been placed on the 15-day IL (shoulder), joining teammate Aroldis Chapman after his IL placement on Tuesday (Achilles). (NYY has subsequently recalled David McKay from Triple-A.)
• MIA’s Anthony Bender was placed on the 15-day IL (back).
• SF’s Jake McGee will likely be activated from the IL on Friday (back) after his club’s off day today.

 

Yesterday’s Performances

 

• Detroit locked down six innings of relief work without giving up a run, pushing the Twins into extras and prevailing with a save by Andrew Chafin (his first of 2022, 2/3 IP). Gregory Soto was used for the eighth inning and one out in the ninth, while it was late relievers Alex Lange capping off the ninth with Michael Fulmer opening the 10th. Lange was credited with a win, despite recording just two outs and allowing one hit. Fulmer earned hold number five after allowing one hit and one strikeout. Wily Peralta pitched a scoreless fifth and sixth inning, and while he isn’t in ideal territory for saves and holds, his 0.93 ERA through 19 1/3 innings is noteworthy at 33 years old. Joe Jiménez was a standout performer, striking out the side in the seventh and lowering his ERA to a 3.24 (16 2/3 IP).
• Minnesota had the table set for a 2-1 victory, turning the lead over to closer Emilio Pagán in the eighth inning. He recorded his second blown save of the year, allowing a home run to the first batter he faced. Pagán would settle in from there with three consecutive outs, but it was later Trevor Megill tasked with holding ground in the 10th. Megill allowed two runs (one earned) and let up his first damage of 2022 (2 2/3 IP). Before the sour turn, Minnesota saw holds from Griffin Jax (4) and Joe Smith (9), while Smith’s 0.61 ERA (21 IP) is prime for late-inning holds. He holds more appearances (18) than innings this year (14 2/3).

 

• Pittsburgh’s bullpen had a far better day than their opponent; six frames and one earned was enough for the Pirates to hold ground while posting eight unanswered runs. David Bednar and Chris Stratton were able to rest up, and it was Mitch Keller taking care of 3 1/3 innings, spacing five hits in long relief while allowing one run. Wil Crowe chipped away at his now-2.33 ERA (27 IP).
• Wednesday was not a good day for Rockies relievers. They combined to allow eight earned runs in three innings, falling victim to a pair of three-run homers. Lucas Gilbreath earned a hold despite allowing one run in 2/3 of an inning, while Carlos Estévez left with a 1/3-inning blown save after allowing one such longball. Justin Lawrence would then allow four earned in the eighth, spiking his ERA from a 3.29 to a 5.52. (Lawrence was recently optioned to Triple-A despite holding some of the Rockies’ best bullpen figures at that time, but his latest MLB momentum has been turbulent.) Daniel Bard and Tyler Kinley should be ready to go as the Rockies open a new set in Washington.

 

• The Giants and Mets had bullpens that were running on fumes today after their electric Tuesday showdown. San Francisco took a 9-2 lead in the second inning and quickly established a cushion their relievers could appreciate. Three innings were pieced together by relievers with 4.76 ERAs or higher, while none of their A-list relievers were forced to warm up.
• If there was one silver lining to the Mets’ sizable defeat, it was a chance for some younger arms to work out some kinks. Recent call-up Colin Holderman was a standout performer, striking out two in a scoreless fifth. He has yet to allow a run since his debut this month (6 IP).

 

• We had a good old-fashioned pitcher’s duel in the nation’s capital on Wednesday. Washington prevailed as they pretty much emptied the tank on top relievers. Tanner Rainey earned his fourth save of the year (2.84 ERA), but a ninth-inning hit and walk was a quick tease at a Dodgers rally. Kyle Finnegan earned his sixth hold of the year (3.12 ERA) while Carl Edwards Jr. earned his first, lowering his ERA to a 2.79 through 9 2/3 innings. Washington could be running thin on relievers today against Colorado and Rainey has seldom thrown on back-to-back days this year.
• The Dodgers went with Yency Almonte down 1-0 and he capped off the final two innings after starter Julio Urías went six. Almonte allowed two hits and two strikeouts, preserving his team’s bullpen and now holding eight innings of one-run work this year. Almonte seems to be reviving his career after struggles with Colorado last year, and the Dodgers bullpen is stacked enough that you never know where holds could come from.

 

• It wasn’t easy for Oakland to close out the Mariners on Wednesday but they got the job done with plenty of holds. Dany Jiménez collected his 10th save and lowered his ERA to an unsightly 0.49 (18 1/3 IP), and while his A’s could be below average at giving him save opportunities, the other 29 teams have reason to take notice (see Trade Deadline, forthcoming). A.J. Puk and Zach Jackson had tough outings, each allowing two hits and one earned run in a single frame. Puk’s ERA climbed to a still-tremendous 0.95, and he could be in a similar position to Jiménez right now.
• Seattle was down 3-0 after six complete frames, and the early-going relief was strong by arms who have had recent struggles. Andrés Muñoz spaced one hit in a scoreless seventh, followed by Diego Castillo for a perfect eighth. Closer Paul Sewald came on for a non-save ninth and allowed one run on one hit and a walk, raising his ERA to a 2.81 but doing so without the standard adrenaline he’s accustomed to.

 

• Milwaukee’s bullpen performance was one of the best of the day on Wednesday, with three arms combining for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless, one-hit work. Even more impressive: a lot of their top relievers were taxed after high output on Tuesday. Brad Boxberger turned some heads with a perfect, strike-out-the-side eighth, tallying his ninth hold of the year. Devin Williams was highlighted in red on our Tuesday depth chart but still toed the rubber, tossing a perfect ninth and collecting his fourth save of the year. This bullpen will be even scarier with Josh Hader back in the fold.
• San Diego had a great bullpen showing of their own, but two earned runs by starter Yu Darvish in 6 2/3 innings was too much for their bats to surmount. Robert Suarez and Luis García combined to allow one hit in 2 1/3 innings, while Suarez recorded three of his four outs by way of the strikeout. The Padres will rest up with an off day today and closer Taylor Rogers could throw no matter what on Friday.

 

• Cincinnati threw their best at the Cubs on Wednesday, tossing closer Art Warren, setup man Alexis Díaz, late reliever Hunter Strickland, and late reliever Tony Santillan for one inning each. Strickland got the save instead of Warren; it was Warren tasked with preserving a 4-3 lead in the eighth inning. Strickland earned his first save of the year while the other three relievers earned holds. These saves and holds could be a clear exception to the norm for an otherwise-struggling Reds squad, but arms like Díaz are pitching for a serious future (0.87 ERA, 20 2/3 IP).
• The Cubs tossed some of their stronger relievers to close out Wednesday, giving their offense a chance. Mychal Givens and Rowan Wick combined for two innings of shutout work, each allowing one hit. Wick saw traffic with a hit and walk, however, but his 1.69 ERA on the year (16 IP) suggests he’s well equipped to work out of jams. Daniel Norris was a standout performer, collecting four strikeouts in two perfect innings.

 

• A team of four relievers shut the door for Tampa Bay in a one-run victory; each arm went home with either a hold or save. The often-by-committee closer duties were given to Colin Poche on Wednesday, and despite two hits and a walk, he lowered his ERA to a 1.29 and earned his first save of the year. J.P. Feyereisen continued his dominance in 2022, now with 21 scoreless innings on the year and a jaw-dropping 0.43 ERA. This is a guy to bank on for saves and holds of any kind, and the Rays are using him for far more than just the ninth. Feyereisen struck out all three that he faced on Wednesday.
• Miami rolled out five different relievers and each tossed a scoreless inning. Tommy Nance was a top performer, collecting three strikeouts and shaping a now-1.17 ERA. Steven Okert took care of a scoreless eighth (2.13 ERA on the year, 12 2/3 IP), while Cole Sulser worked a scoreless seventh with two punchouts. Anthony Bass scored himself some rest on Wednesday, so one can expect the Marlins are ready to roll for their new series with the Yankees today — although the absence of Anthony Bender could be noticeable. (Both the Marlins and Yankees bullpen will have a lot of guys looking to fill some shoes in the wake of recent injuries.)

 

• The Yankees got big on Wednesday, especially after losing Aroldis Chapman and Jonathan Loáisiga to the injured list. Clay Holmes ran into trouble allowing two hits in the ninth, but stranded both and lowered his ERA to an astonishing 0.38 through 22 appearances (23 2/3 IP). Miguel Castro and Lucas Luetge earned holds, combining for a scoreless eighth. The Yankees may need to redefine some roles in the coming days without two of their top options, but any lead with Holmes on the mound is about as much of a sure-thing success in baseball right now.
• Baltimore rolled out three relievers for one inning apiece and they all posted zeroes. Only one of them has thrown more than five innings on the year, Joey Krehbiel, and he chipped away at a now-3.05 ERA through 20 2/3 innings. The Orioles kept Jorge López and Félix Bautista on the shelf but they should be well-rested as they look toward this weekend.

 

• Atlanta played a lot of the long-relief game on Wednesday, tasking Collin McHugh and Spencer Strider with six outs or more. Strider picked up a win and collected five strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings, while McHugh stranded two hits in the final two innings of work. The Braves entered Wednesday with heavy use from Kenley Jansen and Will Smith, so Wednesday was a nice four-run victory to get them fresh once again.
• The Phillies tossed 3 2/3 innings in relief and allowed a combined three earned runs on seven hits. It was a forgettable showing and it didn’t feature many of their top arms; Andrew Bellatti did strike out two in a one-run sixth, placing his ERA at a 2.70 through 15 games. Corey Knebel and Brad Hand were taxed in a similar manner as Jansen and Smith and none of them pitched on Wednesday, so both the Phillies and Braves will have their A-listers back in business moving forward.

 

• The final one-run matchup on Wednesday’s slate: Houston tossed five relievers for a combined 3 1/3 innings and all five walked out of Minute Maid Park with a save or hold. Ryan Pressly collected his seventh save of the year, working a perfect ninth and lowering his ERA to a 2.70. Ryne Stanek was tasked with shutting down the final out of the sixth and that was all the Guardians would see out of the right-hander; he now holds a 1.13 ERA on the year (16 IP). Rafael Montero continued his great stretch to begin 2022, working a scoreless eighth with a strikeout and dropping his ERA to a 0.48. The Astros bullpen is not a comfortable place for hitters with any of those aforementioned names on the mound. A day off today has been hard-earned, and Houston should be back in business with their top bullpen on Friday in Seattle.
• Cleveland showed well in the bullpen with two shutout innings, but two runs allowed by starter Cal Quantrill were too much for their bats to overcome. Bryan Shaw regained some serious footing in the eighth inning, striking out three of the four batters he faced. A very tough outing on May 13 (0 IP, 5 R) has stained Shaw’s ERA to a 5.27, and his body of work has been a lot stronger than that number might suggest.

 

 

• Liam Hendriks earned himself save number 14 on Wednesday, doing so in a four-out performance. He’s chipped away at a now-2.48 ERA and two walks were the only blemish on an otherwise shutdown performance. Aaron Bummer, Kendall Graveman, and Joe Kelly each earned a hold while throwing fewer than one inning, combining to create a five-out bridge from the starter Lucas Giolito to the closer Hendriks. The White Sox have the strange day off on Friday and they could be in a pinch for Thursday after using so many arms, although many were not used heavily (and Hendriks is an animal throwing as often as he does).
• Boston rolled out the one-man relief crew on Wednesday and it was Tanner Houck tossing the final three innings. He kept the White Sox off the scoreboard and it was a great performance for a Red Sox bullpen that anticipates a doubleheader on Saturday. Boston does not have the luxury of an off day between now and then, so three innings from Houck could be ideal for their current availability.

 

• The Rangers and Angels were not playing in a close game for much of Wednesday and the score was 5-1 Texas after six. One save was issued, given to Dennis Santana in his scoreless sixth inning of work. Texas still opted to throw some of their better arms in Brock Burke and Joe Barlow, each holding a sub-two ERA and combining for three innings of work. Barlow did not work an unscathed ninth, however, allowing two hits and one earned run. Matt Bush could be in line for a save opportunity for the Rangers today, although Barlow threw a mere 10 pitches (5 BF).
• The Angels leaned on two relievers with plus-five ERAs on Wednesday but the deficit gave them a chance to rest up their go-to guys. Archie Bradley tossed a scoreless ninth and regained some footing (6.52 ERA, 9 2/3 IP) as Raisel Iglesias rested up for the four-game set with Toronto.