Bullpen Notes 6/26/26
Daily Notes on Bullpen Usage
LAB REPORTS
CIN: Santillan hit the IL prior to the game and Pagan still isn't back so they were down the closer tonight. Antone was the 1st in during the 6th and he got through that and got an out in the 7th. Burke got through the rest of the 7th and one out in the 8th before Pierce Johnson came in to finish the 8th. Burke picked up a win while Johnson got a hold. All three of those guys allowed at least one runner. Caleb Ferguson pitched the 9th and allowed just an infield single to pick up the save. He did face the one main LHB in the middle of the lineup so it might have been somewhat matchup related. I wouldn't worry too much since Pagan is still on track to return. While Ferguson picked up the save tonight this should end up being a committee for the weekend until Pagan is back.
PIT: The game was tied going into the 8th when they turned to Mason Montgomery. He got an out, allowed a single, and a two run homer that put them down. He got another out before being pulled for Dennis Santana who got the last 4 outs of the game. They still need bullpen help and are back to .500. I think they should do something soon but we will see. Wilber Dotel is close to returning so that might be the something for now.
WSN: They were down when Brad Lord came into the game in the 5th. He didn't pitch that poorly and allowed a run in the 7th. Zak Kent who was called up today pitched the 8th. Lord is a bulk guy and he pitched a couple innings today so don't expect him again until Monday. Beeter, Ribalta, Dicky Love, and Poulin could all see a save chance if they have a lead.
BAL: Tyler Wells got a couple outs in the 7th picking up a hold. Grant Wolfram pitched a perfect 8th picking up a hold and Ryan Helsley had no trouble in the 9th picking up a save. That is back to back scoreless outings for Helsley which is good news for those rostering him. He's the closer and if he regains his form he should be a good one. I still like Wells the most for a holds guy here but he does see bulk outings as well.
TEX: This wasn't a huge step up leverage for Robby Ahlstrom but he started the 8th with a 5-0 lead. He allowed the 1st two to reach before getting an out and getting pulled. Jakob Junis came in and allowed a single that scored two and a two run homer making it a 5-4 game. He gave up another single but got the last two outs. Jacob Latz came on for the 9th and allowed a leadoff walk but got the next three out to pickup the save. He bounced back from the two runs he allowed last night. Latz is the closer and Junis is a nice holds option.
PHI: Orion Kerkering pitched a perfect 8th picking up a hold. Jhoan Duran had the 9th allowing a two out single but protecting the one run lead and picking up the save. We know Duran is locked in as the closer but the news is the back to back 8th innings for Kerkering. He'll be moving up the holds ranks if he is getting 8th. I would go out and add him if you are looking for holds.
SEA: Ferrer pitched the 7th picking up a hold, Speier pitched the 8th picking up a hold, and Munoz pitched the 9th picking up a save. None of the three allowed a baserunner and don't look now but Munoz is starting to look like the guy from last year.
CLE: Tim Herrin took the loss pitching against the meat of the lineup in the 7th. He allowed a run after walking a couple to start the inning. Keep an eye on Erik Sabrowski who didn't pitch because Herrin is his replacement if something is wrong. Espino started the 8th and allowed a run before Gaddis came in to get out of the inning. Gaddis is still a nice holds option and hopefully Sabrowski is just working off the rust. It does make sense that we didn't see him today.
KCR: Dont look at this box score if you still have one of their relievers. Erceg gave up a couple in the 5th, Schreiber gave up four (three earned) in the 6th, and the killer; Lange got an out in the 7th allowing 5 runs. Really dont know why Lange was in the game. They must have wanted him to get some work because the score was 17-1 when he came in. This doesn't hurt his status as the closer but it does hurt fantasy teams everywhere. I HATE seeing closers in non-saves.
MIL: No save here but they did use the big three. Uribe had the 7th against the bottom part of the lineup with all the RHB. He did pickup a hold as the game was still close. Ashby took the 8th with a 5-1 lead and the LHBs coming up. He walked the 1st two and allowed a run before getting out of the inning. Megill pitched the 9th allowing just a walk. Those three are locked in their respective roles. They did activate Jared Koenig who pitched in some big spots last year. He is another LHP and he could eventually find himself later in the game but no need to add right now.
COL: They were down for most of the game but took the lead in the top of the 9th. Seth Halvorsen pitched the 6th without issue which disappoints me if you have been following. They turned to Antonio Senzatela with an 8-7 lead. He got the 1st out but allowed three singles in a row the last of which tied the game. He was charged with a blown save. In the 10th with the game tied they turned to Jimmy Herget who allowed an intentional walk and single that scored the ghost runner and ended it. Senzatela might be better as a bulk guy. He could also open the door for Vodnik with performances like tonight. I wouldn't blame Hegert too much for tonight as it is a tough spot to be in and I think he should get the next save chance.
MIN: The starter took a shutout into the 8th and they brought on Kody Funderburk who allowed both inherited runners and one of his own to score making it 7-3. That was Funkerburk's 1st outing since returning from the minors. They had Gomez warming in the 8th but turned to Orze for the 9th with a four run lead. He got an out and allowed three runs before getting pulled for Banda. Banda quickly allowed a double and homer that put them down 8-7 before getting out of the inning. Morris pitched the 10th and didn't allow the ghost runner to score while picking up a win. On one hand I am happy they didn't use Gomez up 4 but on the other it cost them the game. Gomez is better than Orze and he should have been able to get the bottom of the lineup out. They have no trust in anyone late so it is hard to pick a closer but Gomez remains the best guy in the bullpen.
ATH: Medina was the 1st one in for the 7th with a 9-3 lead. He allowed a double and nothing else. They brought him back for the 8th and he walked a couple while getting one out before getting the hook. Hogan Harris came in and walked another guy to load the bases before getting a couple strikeouts to end the inning. They turned to Elvis Alvarado for the 9th against the top of the lineup and he had no issues. This is interesting because this is what you would expect if the game was close. Most of the other bullpen guys had pitched yesterday so I cant get too excited but Alvarado might still be in the mix for saves. Barnett and Harris are involved too.
LAD: They were down but they used Brock Stewart in the 6th. Just keep an eye on him as he potentially works his way into a more high leverage role. This was his 2nd appearance since returning.
SDP: They opened the game up in the 9th so there was no save and no Mason Miller. Yuki Matsui got two outs in the 6th to pick up a hold. Jason Adam pitched the 7th and Adrian Morejon pitched the 8th picking up holds. Morejon allowed a couple singles but got a double play. Both guys offer great value for holds and Matsui might be a deep sleeper just because of how good the bullpen is.
ATL: Semi-bullpen game here and they also had some of the bigger news of day announcing Robert Suarez was going on the IL. Ideally he will be back just after the break. In the game the used Lee in the 7th and 8th and he picked up the win. Didier Fuentes got the final out of the 8th to pick up a hold. Raisel Iglesias pitched a perfect 9th picking up his 16th save. With the 8th inning open I would say Fuentes is the potential big add. He could see holds and he has pitched late in the game picking up a save a couple weeks ago. Obviously Lee gets a little bump as he likely becomes the 8th inning man but as a LHP he could be more matchup based. Tyler Kinley could find himself in the mix. He has had a good year and is a vet so the 7th inning would make sense.
Explore The Lab.
