Reliever Ranks – 7/17

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

 

• Today is the final day before the All-Star Break! All teams will have Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday off (excluding their All-Stars, of course).
• The Dodgers and Angels have a strange Sunday off day today as the city of Los Angeles preps for All-Star festivities.
• Nine total relievers will be in uniform on Tuesday for the All-Star Game.
• Post-All-Star Week: Eight total teams are in action on Thursday, July 21, while the Tigers, A’s, Yankees and Astros will be immediately welcomed back with doubleheaders that day.

 

• TOR: Sergio Romo was designated for assignment. Romo has amassed over 13 years of MLB service time.
• TEX: Jonathan Hernández was activated from the 60-day injured list; rookie reliever A.J. Alexy was optioned to Triple-A in a subsequent move.
• SF: Jakob Junis was activated from the 15-day IL; the Giants placed reliever Mauricio Llovera on the 15-day IL in a related transaction.
• PHI: Mark Appel was optioned to the minors; his comeback story got him to the big leagues, but some strong work in Triple-A may be needed to get him back.
• NYY: Miguel Castro was placed on the 15-day IL
• COL: Caslos Estévez was reinstated from the paternity list, while reliever Chad Smith was sent down to Triple-A just hours after getting called up.
• CHC: Steven Brault had his contract purchased by the Cubs; he has four years of MLB service and was previously with the Pirates. Mark Leiter Jr. was optioned to the minors.

MIN 6 – CWS 3

• Twins: Minnesota cashed in on two holds and a save across their three relievers used. Trevor Megill (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) set the table to finish the sixth inning, while Griffin Jax (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) paved the way for a two-inning save by Jhoan Duran (2 IP, 3 H, 0 R). Chicago was able to get a little threat cooking off Duran, but his three strikeouts helped extinguish any opposing momentum.
• White Sox: Three shutout innings by White Sox relievers capped this one off. Four arms were used; José Ruiz (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) faced four batters and struck out two, as did eighth-inning arm Jimmy Lambert (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). Saturday allowed Chicago’s bullpen to catch their breath after Liam Hendriks, Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly and Reynaldo López were all used on Friday.

 

STL 11 – CIN 3

• Cardinals: Starter Miles Mikolas carved through seven innings of one-run work, and there wasn’t much action left for the St. Louis bullpen. T.J. McFarland (1/3 IP, 0 H, 2 R/0 ER) walked two batters to begin the eighth, but his rocky appearance was shut down by Johan Oviedo (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R). The Cardinals emptied the relief tank with Ryan Helsley, Giovanny Gallegos, Génesis Cabrera and Jordan Hicks on Friday, so a great start by Mikolas has them ready to go for today.
• Reds: Six total innings were needed by Cincinnati relievers on Saturday; Jeff Hoffman (1 IP, 2 H, 2 R) was first in relief in as early as the third inning. Ryan Hendrix was a standout performer (2 IP, 0 R, 0 H), and scoreless frames from Reiver Sanmartin (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Buck Farmer (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) helped move the game along. Reds setup man Alexis Díaz threw for the first time since Wednesday, but the adjustment to low-leverage work wasn’t ideal (0 IP, 4 BF, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER).

 

NYM 2 – CHC 1 (F/11; Game 1 of 2)

• Mets: Extra innings to start a doubleheader can mean a long day for any bullpen; fortunately for the Mets, five innings of one-hit work set the tone for a successful day (with more extra innings later – see below). Seth Lugo (1 IP, 1 H, 0), Drew Smith (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Adam Ottavino (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) pitched in succession but none earned holds; Ottavino picked up a win after the lead was taken in the 11th. Edwin Díaz posted a zero in the final frame, even with the second-base opening runner, and his 20th save of the season comes with a now-1.69 ERA.
• Cubs: The north-siders had an extremely rested bullpen which played to their advantage on Saturday, but a lack of run production negated their 6 2/3 innings of zero earned runs allowed. Brandon Hughes (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) closed out starter Marcus Stroman’s fifth inning and worked the Cubs through the sixth, while Rowan Wick (1 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Scott Effross (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) got them to the ninth with a 1-1 tie. Closer David Robertson would then take over (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R), lowering his season ERA to a 1.98, but a tiebreaker runner at second would later score on Mychal Givens (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER). Both teams had a limited reserve for Game 2, described below.

 

TOR 6 – KC 5 (F/10)

First things first: this game was electric.

• Blue Jays: A three-inning start by Max Castillo meant the Blue Jays would need seven relief innings out of their bullpen. The first six were fantastic; Toronto relievers combined to allow just three hits in that time, a charge led by Yimi Garcia (2 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Tim Mayza (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). Extra innings were reserved for closer Jordan Romano (1 IP, 1 H, 2 R/1 ER), operating on three full days of rest. A home run jolted the Royals into contention, but Romano would eventually go home with a win thanks to the bats of Raimel Tapia and Vladimir Guerrero Jr..
• Royals: Kansas City carved through regulation with 5 1/3 scoreless relief innings, the effort led by three-up, three-down work from Wyatt Mills (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K), Taylor Clarke (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Josh Staumont (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and closer Scott Barlow (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). After taking a 5-3 lead in the top of the 10th, the Blue Jays sent Joel Payamps out for the bottom half in pursuit of his first save of the year. He did not retire any of the four batters he faced (0 IP, 4 H, 3 R/2 ER). The Royals will now work through bullpen fatigue with nine innings separating them from the All-Star Break.

 

COL 2 – PIT 0

• Rockies: The Rockies have one of the hottest bullpens in baseball! They have now surpassed over nine innings of consecutive scoreless work; their Saturday effort was led by one-inning appearances by Lucas Gilbreath (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Alex Colomé (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and closer Daniel Bard (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). Bard tallied his 20th save of 2022 on Saturday, and the Rockies bullpen faced 10 batters out of a minimum nine. This bullpen has answered well this week from the aftereffects of an injured Tyler Kinley, a big ongoing absence in their relief core.
• Pirates: One earned run was allowed in this game; it came off Yerry De Los Santos (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R) in the bottom of the seventh. One extra reliever would toss for the Pirates in this one (Chase De Jong; 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), and this low-scoring affair was the opposite of what fans come to expect at Coors Field. The Pirates will have a little more rested relief core than the Rockies today, at least.

 

SEA 3 – TEX 2 (F/10)

• Mariners: More extra innings! Seattle tossed five relievers in this one for one inning each. A hold was collected by Andrés Muñoz (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), but a blown save by Erik Swanson (1 IP, 2 H, 1 R) pushed the Rangers back into contention. Closer Paul Sewald (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) would enter early for the eighth inning and hold off Texas, setting the tone for a Diego Castillo win (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and a Matthew Festa save (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R). It was Festa’s first save of the year (as he stranded the second-base runner in extras), and the Mariners suddenly have a tired bullpen with one day left until the All-Star Break.
• Rangers: Texas also needed five innings out of their bullpen, and it looked great for the first four. Matt Bush (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Jonathan Hernández (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Matt Moore (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) set the tone, and the first inning by Brett Martin (2 IP, 3 H, 1 R/0 ER) forced the 2-2 tie into extras. Martin allowed the tiebreaker run to score from second in the 10th, however, the decisive run.

 

ATL 6 – WSH 3

• Braves: We had a gold, old-fashioned, by-the-book save situation in this one. Kenley Jansen collected his 22nd of the year (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), facing the minimum. Jesse Chavez was the only other reliever used (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), and after tossing a combined 24 pitches, both may be available to pitch today. A.J. Minter has thrown in three of the past five games, while Will Smith threw 29 pitches on Friday, but the Braves bullpen is otherwise rested and ready to close out the first half.
• Nationals: A two-run showing by Hunter Harvey (1 IP, 2 H, 1 BB) slowed the momentum of an otherwise-strong Nationals bullpen on Saturday. Steve Cishek (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) closed out the sixth inning, but Harvey’s two runs allowed would mean Jordan Weems (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Andres Machado (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) would pitch with a three-run deficit. Kyle Finnegan and Carl Edwards Jr. both threw on Friday, and should be in line for save and hold ability today (albeit against the reigning champs).

 

CLE 10 – DET 0

• Guardians: Here lies one of the lowest-leverage contests of the day: Cleveland used three relievers and they all carved. Nick Sandlin (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), James Karinchak (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and rookie Tanner Tully (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) combined for three scoreless frames, and after a lot of top Guardians relievers threw on Friday, the strong bullpen work on Saturday has helped set the tone for today.
• Tigers: Detroit saw just two innings out of starter Michael Pineda, and runs would continue to pour immediately after his departure. Angel De Jesus (1 2/3 IP, 3 H, 2 R) allowed Cleveland’s 10th and final run of the day, but the ensuing 4 1/3 innings from Detroit relievers featured just one hit. Notable arms included Will Vest (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Joe Jiménez (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R).

 

HOU 5 – OAK 0

• Astros: Vintage Verlander helped Houston toss a combined shutout on Saturday. All that was left was three innings for the Astros’ bullpen, and a one-hit effort ensued; Phil Maton (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Héctor Neris (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Bryan Abreu (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) sealed this one while Ryan Pressly and Rafael Montero scored some extra rest.
• Athletics: Oakland needed just one inning in relief after starter Jared Koenig tossed seven innings. Kirby Snead was said reliever (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), and the A’s bullpen can breathe far easier after four of their top arms were used on Friday.

 

BAL 6 – TB 4 (F/11)

• Orioles: The O’s are staying hot! Seven relief innings were needed in this one, while a hold was credited to Cionel Pérez (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and a save earned by Joey Krehbiel (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), his first of the year. Austin Voth (2 1/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) and Jorge López (2 IP, 1 H, 1 R/0 ER) did most of the bullpen heavy lifting, however. Félix Bautista could be in line for a save today given the state of rest by other arms.
• Rays: A hold was credited to Matt Wisler (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but a blown save by Jason Adam (1 IP, 1 H, 1 R) fueled the Orioles into extras. Ryan Thompson (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Colin Poche (1 IP, 0 H, 1 R/0 ER) carved the Rays through 10, but a two-run showing by Luke Bard (1 IP, 2 H) pushed the Orioles on top. Tampa Bay seemed to have ran out of pitching depth, and the extensive use from their bullpen over the last three days may show through this afternoon.

 

PHI 10 – MIA 0

• Phillies: Four relievers, four innings, zero runs and one hit; low leverage be damned. Andrew Bellatti (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Connor Brogdon (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), Nick Nelson (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Jojo Romero (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) closed this one out. The Phillies used Seranthony Domínguez for 33 pitches on Friday and he could easily be unavailable again today, but Brad Hand and Corey Knebel are in line to score some saves or holds today.
• Marlins: The MLB debut of Max Meyer turned sour before he was able to finish off a sixth inning. Richard Blier (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) capped off the sixthm while Cody Poteet (2 IP, 7 H, 5 R) was tasked with an extremely strenuous seventh and eighth. Zach Pop (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) polished off a clean ninth, but not before severe damage was already done. Pop now holds a 2.77 ERA, at least.

 

NYY 14 – BOS 1

• Yankees: One reliever was needed for the Yankees to seal this one; Ryan Weber (3 IP, 1 H, 0 R) was credited with a good, old-fashioned three-inning save with a 13-run lead. New York used a lot of their top relievers on Friday, so the effort on Saturday bodes well for their series finale today.
• Red Sox: Boston instead needed five relievers to cap this one off. Hirokazu Sawamura (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Jake Diekman (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) were the only two relievers to post scoreless appearances, and a team of three other relievers combined for two innings of seven-run work. Boston’s bullpen could be more taxed than anybody right now, as Tanner Houck, John Schreiber and Garrett Whitlock all pitched on Friday. Houck threw 28 pitches that day, so he could easily be down until after the All-Star Break.

 

SF 2 – MIL 1

• Giants: Back to the nail-biters: San Francisco threw just 1 2/3 innings in relief after a 7 1/3-inning start by Alex Cobb (1 R/0 ER). John Brebbia (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) earned himself a win and Dominic Leone (1 IP, 1 H, 0 R) picked up his second save of the year. Closer Camilo Doval was still recovering from 41 pitches on Thursday (after 17 the day before), and he could very well be down again today.
• Brewers: The sour bullpen taste from Friday ensues. Brent Suter (2/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) surrendered the decisive run in the bottom of the eighth. Jandel Gustave (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) was needed to cap off Milwaukees final out, and a lot of eyes remain pointed at All-Star Josh Hader to see how he will respond from Friday’s abysmal outing. (Perhaps he will regain some footing during the All-Star Game itself, which would be ideal for Brewers faithful.)

 

NYM 4 – CHC 3 (F/10; Game 2 of 2)

• Mets: Scherzer carved, and he is exactly the starter any team can appreciate using after an 11-inning start to a doubleheader. The Mets called upon rookie Colin Holderman (1 2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), but a tie ballgame again presented itself through eight frames. Yoan Lopez was where New York turned (2 IP, 2 H, 1 R/0 ER), staving off the extra-inning runner on second. The Mets have a taxed bullpen alongside the Cubs, so Sunday’s game will be interesting to see who remains somewhat fresh. (This is one way for a bullpen to truly earn an All-Star Break.)
• Cubs: Six relievers pitched for the Cubs in Game 2 after five threw in Game 1. Mychal Givens pitched in both games, but his effort in Game 2 (2/3 IP, 1 H, 2 R/0 ER, 1 BB) proved decisive in the loss. Notable arms in Game 2 included Scott Effross (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and recent call-up Steven Brault (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R).

 

SD 4 – ARI 3

• Padres: Close ballgames continued through West Coast hours, this time with the Padres tallying all sorts of holds. Nabil Crismatt (2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 R), Luis García (1/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Tim Hill (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) earned those holds, while Taylor Rogers (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) tossed a perfect ninth for his 26th save. Rogers has thrown in each of the past two days so he will likely be down today, while García or Crismatt may be in line for more holds or a save today.
• Diamondbacks: An early blown save in the sixth inning by Noé Ramirez (1/3 IP, 2 H, 1 R) would prove to be all the runs the Padres needed. All-Star Joe Mantiply took over for two outs in the sixth (2/3 IP, 0 H, 0 R), striking out both hitters he faced. Middle relief action would ensue for the final two innings. The D-Backs could very well toss closer Mark Melancon today no matter the situation; he hasn’t thrown since his 16 pitches on Wednesday.

 

LAD 7 – LAA 1

• Dodgers: Julio Urías went seven strong and the Dodgers had a comfortable lead by the time their bullpen was needed. Caleb Ferguson (1 IP, 2 H, 0 R) and Phil Bickford (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K) closed this one out and the Dodgers did not need a rested Craig Kimbrel, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia. (None of them have thrown since Thursday.) With today off, the Dodgers bullpen can anticipate even more rest this week as their relievers eye a prospective run through October.
• Angels: Aaron Loup (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R), José Quijada (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) and Austin Warren (1 IP, 0 H, 0 R) closed this one out with three-innings of no-hit work, but damage was already done after a 6-0 lead was posted in the first three innings. The Angels have a rested Raisel Iglesias and Ryan Tepara ready to go, but the strange Sunday off day for both the Angels and Dodgers means they will have to wait until after the All-Star Break.

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