Michael Fulmer Will Undergo Tommy John Surgery

It was reported Tuesday that Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (elbow) would likely need Tommy John surgery, but Fulmer had intended to seek a third opinion prior to making a decision. Now, the team has confirmed that Fulmer will indeed undergo the procedure, ending any hope of the former Rookie of the Year pitching in […]

Gregory Polanco Close To Returning

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco (shoulder) could play in minor league games as early as next week, according to Todd Tomczyk, the team's director of sports medicine. The 27-year-old had his 2018 season cut short due to surgery on his throwing shoulder. Despite playing in just 130 games, he set career highs of 23 HR, […]

Tim Beckham Shines In Tokyo

Seattle Mariners shortstop Tim Beckham had an impressive debut in Wednesday's win over the Oakland Athletics. He went 3-for-3 with three runs, two RBI, and a walk as he lifted a home run in the fifth inning for his first of the year. Beckham is only worth looking at in AL-only formats for now as […]

Domingo Santana Blasts Grand Slam

Seattle Mariners outfielder Domingo Santana went 1-for-5 against the Oakland Athletics in the season's first game in Tokyo. Santana took Mike Fiers deep to the opposite field in the third inning for his first career grand slam. Santana struck out in two of his other at-bats as the M's defeated the A's 9-7 in this […]

Stephen Piscotty Opens With A Home Run

Oakland Athletics outfielder Stephen Piscotty became a trivia answer in the first inning when he cracked a solo homer off of Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales in Wednesday's Opening Day battle in Tokyo. Piscotty had a tremendous season in his first year in the American League, hitting .267 with 41 doubles, 27 homers and […]

Ramon Laureano Has Forgettable Opening Day

Oakland Athletics outfielder Ramon Laureano was at the top of manager Bob Melvin's lineup for Wednesday's Opening Day battle against the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo. He struggled, going hitless in five at-bats with three strikeouts. It wouldn't be surprising to see veteran Robbie Grossman get a chance to see what he can do in the […]

Matt Chapman Fires Out Of The Chute

Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman opened with a strong performance in Wednesday's game against the Seattle Mariners in Tokyo. He racked up a double with a three-run homer off of M's reliever Nick Rumbelow, finishing 2-for-5 with three RBI and two runs scored. The hot corner man had a breakout season with a .278 […]

Hunter Strickland Nails Down First Save Of Season

After battling back issues late in spring training, Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland looked sharp in his regular season debut. He threw a clean ninth inning striking out two batters as he finished off the Oakland Athletics for his first save of 2019. Strickland is entering his first season as a bona fide closer and […]

Khris Davis Launches First Home Run In Opener

Oakland Athletics designated hitter Khris Davis hit a titanic two-run homer off of Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales in the third inning, one of three homers hit by the A's in a 9-7 loss. The homer was the only hit across four at-bats for Davis, who did not strike out in the opener. He […]

Marco Gonzales Logs Quality Start In Season Debut

Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales got the win over the Oakland Athletics in the first game of the MLB season on Wednesday in Tokyo. The southpaw was shaky early giving up runs in each of the first three innings but bounced back nicely retiring the last eight batters he faced. Gonzales went six innings, giving […]

Mike Fiers Gets Tuned Up In Tokyo Opener

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Mike Fiers made his first career Opening Day start on Wednesday in Tokyo and it was not an outing to remember. He yielded five earned runs, four hits and two walks with three strikeouts. The big blow was a grand slam allowed to Domingo Santana in the third inning. He threw […]

ADP Champ or Chump - Jackie Bradley Jr. and Juan Soto

You've probably heard people say that position scarcity is dead, as there is plenty of talent available at every offensive position save catcher and all catchers are about the same level of blech. This is true in standard 12-team leagues and some deeper formats, but it's not the case in the deepest leagues (20+ teams) […]

Updated Catcher Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We continue our fantasy baseball tiered rankings analysis with everyone's favorite - the catcher position. With the 2019 season beginning in a matter of days, RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel have given their preseason rankings a final update. Check out our fantasy baseball rankings dashboard for a current […]

Harris Yudin's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

Despite whiffing on more than half, my 2018 predictions were highlighted by the claim that Christian Yelich would return first-round value. I was also justifiably optimistic about Matt Chapman’s breakout and Khris Davis’ impending title of Home Run King. So, I figured, the best plan of attack for 2019 was to use the same template […]

White Sox Haven't Officially Announced Closer

Chicago White Sox manager Rick Renteria hasn't officially named a closer and might not do so before the regular season starts. Alex Colome, Kelvin Herrera, Nate Jones and Jace Fry are all good late-inning options. Colome led the American League with 47 saves for the Rays in 2017 and might be the odds-on-favorite alongside Kelvin […]

Ken Giles Is Toronto's Undisputed Closer

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles is locked in as the undisputed closer despite barely pitching this spring after dealing with a severe cold and later a sore shoulder. He had a rough 4.65 ERA last year with the Astros and Blue Jays, but he was also perfect in his 26 save chances. Ryan Tepera, […]

Rays Will Play Matchups In Ninth Inning

The Tampa Bay Rays will head into the 2019 regular season without naming a closer and will instead play the matchups in the ninth inning. Sergio Romo, who led the team with 25 saves last year, is gone, so relievers Jose Alvarado and Chaz Roe are expected to see most of the opportunities to close […]

Matt Barnes A Strong Candidate For Saves

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (96 strikeouts in 61 2/3 frames last year) is a strong candidate for the closing duties to open the season, but manager Alex Cora has been coy on who his closer will be on Opening Day. “You’ll find out on March 28,” Cora has said repeatedly. Ryan Brasier […]

Mychal Givens The Obvious Choice As O's Closer?

The Baltimore Orioles may open the season without a closer, even if relief pitcher Mychal Givens is the obvious choice for ninth-inning duties. Nate Karns is another back-end bullpen option after being turned into a reliever. The Orioles see value in using their best relievers in the middle of games during high-leverage situation, so this […]

Brandon Lowe and Rays Agree To Contract Extension

Tampa Bay Rays utilityman Brandon Lowe agreed to a six-year, $24 million contract extension with the club on Tuesday. He was ranked as the 93rd-best prospect by Baseball America after the 2018 season, in which he slashed .233/.324/.450 with six home runs (148 at-bats). The contract extension comes in the midst of an outstanding spring […]

Brewers Talking With Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers are talking with free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, according to sources. Milwaukee's bullpen is already stacked with Josh Hader, Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffress, but Kimbrel would likely slot in as the ninth-inning man. It'd hurt Knebel's fantasy value the most. Kimbrel already has a 1.91 career ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 333 saves and […]

Astros Agree To Extension With Alex Bregman

The Houston Astros and third baseman Alex Bregman agreed to a five-year, $100 million extension on Tuesday, according to a source. The deal buys out his three arbitration seasons and his first two years of free agency. The 24-year-old broke out last year with a .286/.394/.532 line, 31 home runs and 51 doubles while finishing […]

Dane Dunning Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

Chicago White Sox pitching prospect Dane Dunning (elbow), the team's No. 6 prospect and No. 80 overall per MLB Pipeline, had successful Tommy John surgery on Monday. He made 15 starts last year with High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham before suffering a moderate elbow strain in June. The right-hander will miss all of the 2019 […]

Matt Carpenter Should Be Good For Opening Day

St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter (back) isn't expected back in the spring lineup until at least Friday, but manager Mike Shildt isn't concerned about Carpenter's back tightness becoming an issue that will keep him from being ready on Opening Day. Carp hit .257/.374/.523 with a career-high 36 home runs and 81 RBI in 156 […]

Alex Wood Won't Be Ready For Start Of Season

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Alex Wood (back) hasn't pitched in a Cactus League game since Feb. 25 and will not be ready for the regular season. However, he did throw a side bullpen session on Monday while recovering from a sore lower back. “No timetable for when he’ll be pitching in the Major Leagues again, […]

Andrew Heaney Has Been Throwing

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Andrew Heaney (elbow) won't be ready for Opening Day, but he's been throwing without issues since Sunday. Like last year, the Angels are hoping the left-hander will return after a short absence. Heaney missed the first two weeks of 2018 with a similar ailment and still led the team with […]

Francisco Lindor Close To Running Bases

Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (calf) played in another four or five innings on the minor league side on Tuesday and simulated running the bases before the game. The next step for him will be to run the bases at full intensity. Lindor's value has dropped a tad because it looks like he won't be […]

Brandon Morrow Feels Fine After Bullpen Session

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) said he felt fine on Tuesday a day after a 20-pitch bullpen session. The right-hander will open the year on the injured list and is expected to miss around a month of action in the regular season. Morrow missed all of the second half last year and had […]

Pedro Strop Throws Off Mound Tuesday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) threw off a mound with no issues on Tuesday and is expected to have another mound session later this week. He could get into a spring game before camp ends. If he doesn't have another setback, Strop could open the season as the team's closer after performing well […]

Yu Darvish's Blister Issue Not Serious

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Yu Darvish dealt with a blister issue on his right ring finger in his spring action on Tuesday, but he's optimistic it's not a serious problem. "I don't feel any pain," Darvish said. "It's good for next outing." The Japanese right-hander said he will undergo laser treatment and apply medical cream […]