Bullpen in 2026: Who's next?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

bump.

unfortunately, Rochester's bullpen doesn't have any replacements performing well. Maybe Ribalta? Paxton Schultz is still every  3rd day so he might not be ready, but tomorrow he should  be eligible to come off the IL..

[Slateman]

It doesn't matter with Buttera and the analytics boys just throwing darts at a board

[JCA-CrystalCity]

It'll be interesting to see who gets dropped first. I'm thinking Waldichuk. Bad 2 out of 3 appearances. Schultz for Waldichuk may happen soon.

[Squab]

at least give us someone with some upside. if we have to watch the team blow leads at least give me someone with some projection that I can pretend might be good someday

[JCA-CrystalCity]

They loaded up on optionable guys. Only Perez cannot be optioned. The Drew Smith cut is more difficult to understand on any other basis. Time to use the flexibility

[Slateman]

Lol, Perez is claiming its because he was tipping

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Lol, Perez is claiming its because he was tipping

15%, 20%, or what?

[imref]

Video of him tipping:
https://x.com/WallyHuron/status/2040936337021251745?s=20

[sixthree175]

Two big leads blown and it's still the first week in April. It's going to be a loooooooong season.

[aspenbubba]

15%, 20%, or what?

Oy Vey!!!!

[Smithian]

I almost did a long post defending the bullpen near end of Spring. Glad I was too lazy to type it out.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Interesting point in Golden's game story on the Easter loss: the Dodgers set up  the bullpen meltdown earlier in the series by forcing the bullpen to burn through everyone's arms. Butera pretty much acknowledges they rolled the dice a bit thinking they had enough arms to get by Sunday.

The Dodgers scored four runs in the decisive frame, battering a bullpen that they’d thinned earlier in the weekend, to surge ahead for an 8-6 win before an announced 24,899 at Nationals Park. Washington (3-6), which won three of its first four games this season, has since lost a Major League Baseball-worst five in a row.

“It’s tough, especially with the way the last couple days have gone,” manager Blake Butera said. “We had to use a lot of open arms those first two days in the series. But I thought we had enough to get through there.”

https://www.thebanner.com/sports/nationals-mlb/dodgers-nationals-sweep-foster-griffin-shohei-ohtani-JWJL5TIATVG5ZJMN4MFNKL2YUM/

[imref]

i wonder if we'll see a roster move today to get some help from Rochester?

[JCA-CrystalCity]

i wonder if we'll see a roster move today to get some help from Rochester?

I think Schultz is eligible, but he's been pitching every 3rd day so he may not be ready for regular bullpen use. Ribalta was hit a bit yesterday, but he's been OK otherwise. Julian Fernandez and Rutledge walk a ton. Another possibility would be Parker as a multi-inning lefty if they want to send down Waldichuk.

It's also possible that they move Mikolas or Irvin to the bullpen, in which case you bring Ribalta up for a couple days then bring up Alvarez or Cornelio next turn for the starter. Still would need to send one guy out off the current bullpen.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Looks like no moves tonight

[madj55]

He shouldn’t have been out there for a 3rd inning but Waldichuk has to be gone tomorrow

[JCA-CrystalCity]

He shouldn’t have been out there for a 3rd inning but Waldichuk has to be gone tomorrow

I think that was happening anyway. They were getting as much out of him as they could, then they were sending him down for a fresh arm.

That said, Granillo is giving him a run for his money. Could see both of those guys gone for 2 of Ribalta, Schultz, and Parker.

[imref]

Wish we held onto McGarry

[JCA-CrystalCity]

RDG said Granillo was sent down or dfa'd (unclear) after the game. Makes sense but is there a link?

Butera praised Waldichuk for giving the team some length today. Dunno if that means he's staying.  Would think Parker could do what Waldichuk does. When did Parker last pitch?

Edit: Zuck's bluesy confirms Granillo sent down to Rochester to be replaced tomorrow by a rel8ever not named yet

[Slateman]

RDG said Granillo was sent down or dfa'd (unclear) after the game. Makes sense but is there a link?

Butera praised Waldichuk for giving the team some length today. Dunno if that means he's staying.  Would think Parker could do what Waldichuk does. When did Parker last pitch?

Edit: Zuck's bluesy confirms Granillo sent down to Rochester to be replaced tomorrow by a rel8ever not named yet

https://x.com/spencernusbaum_/status/2041345241068781676?s=46

Paxton Schultz

[imref]

Seems like they want to keep Parker in the rotation

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Seems like they want to keep Parker in the rotation

Parker compares to Waldichuk.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

Unless something drastically changes with the BP this is just going to be the way we have to win games.

[JCA-CrystalCity]

Unless something drastically changes with the BP this is just going to be the way we have to win games.

yes. My specific hope is that they will experiment until they get something that works. The swap out of Granillo for Schultz shows that they aren't complacent. Not saying Schultz will save the world, and Schultz was going to have to be activated or sent down after his rehab, but Granillo is a guy they traded for, so there's some pride put aside to do this.

[SkinsNatFan21RIP]

yes. My specific hope is that they will experiment until they get something that works. The swap out of Granillo for Schultz shows that they aren't complacent. Not saying Schultz will save the world, and Schultz was going to have to be activated or sent down after his rehab, but Granillo is a guy they traded for, so there's some pride put aside to do this.

I agree with what they're doing. I'm not necessarily certain its going to work out but you just keep cycling these guys until you find some combination that works. Its much better than Davey just continuously putting a guy out there that we all knew was going to blow the game. They're at least trying to find something as opposed to sitting on their hands. I can appreciate that.