Nomar Mazara Hits 17th Home Run

Texas Rangers outfielder Nomar Mazara hit his 17th home run of the season in Friday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Mazara has struggled since returning from the disabled list after a thumb injury in the middle of August. Prior to the game Friday, Mazara was hitting just .200 with one home run. Hopefully this home […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu Turns In Another Strong Start Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu delivered a strong outing against the Diamondbacks Friday, pitching seven innings of two-run ball on four hits (including a two-run home run) and no walks with five strikeouts. Despite missing a good chunk of the season with a groin injury, Ryu has been solid when he has played, […]

Kenley Jansen Returns To Closer's Role Friday, Earns Save

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen was back in the saddle in Friday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks. After being given a break from the role two games ago due to a rough stretch, Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth inning, working around a Paul Goldschmidt double with no walks and a strikeout. Despite his recent […]

Justin Turner Hits Go-Ahead Home Run Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner played a key part in Friday's 3-2 win over the Diamondbacks, going 2-for-3 with a single and a solo home run. Turner took Zack Greinke deep in the eighth inning to break the 2-2 tie and put the Dodgers ahead for good. The veteran has proven to be […]

Dodgers Trade For David Freese

The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded minor league infielder Jesus Manuel Valdez to the Pittsburgh Pirates for third/first baseman David Freese, per the Dodgers Twitter feed. The 35-year-old veteran had posted a .282/.336/.444 slash line with nine home runs and 42 RBI in 265 plate appearances this season for the Pirates. The Dodgers are set […]

Zack Wheeler Sensational Again on Friday

New York Mets right-hander Zack Wheeler tossed yet another brilliant outing on Friday against the San Francisco Giants. Wheeler went seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits to go along with nine strikeouts. Unfortunately, the Mets gave him zero runs of support and he was saddled with the loss. Nonetheless, Wheeler has been […]

2018 Fantasy Baseball Rankings Columns (Archive)

Below is a list of RotoBaller's 2018 fantasy baseball rankings articles and analysis. Categories include tiered staff rankings for mixed leagues and points leagues. Also included are impact prospect rankings, dynasty prospect rankings, keeper value rankings, dynasty league rankings and team prospect rankings.   Updated Mixed League Rankings Analysis - May Updated Catcher Rankings (May) […]

Josh Donaldson Traded To Indians

Updating a previous report, It appears that the mystery team in the Josh Donaldson sweepstakes were the Cleveland Indians, as Jeff Passan updated an earlier report stating that the Indians were the team that acquired the former MVP. This is a surprising acquisition, as the Indians were not one of the teams rumored to be […]

Josh Donaldson Reportedly Traded

Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson has apparently been traded, according to a source of Jeff Passan. Donaldson being dealt seemed like an inevitability after the past few days, but the wait is over for Blue Jays fans and fantasy owners alike. It was rumored earlier in the day that the Cardinals, Yankees, Braves, […]

Todd Frazier Will Lead Off on Friday

New York Mets third baseman Todd Frazier will lead off and play third base against lefty Andrew Suarez on Friday. It's rare to see Frazier higher than fourth in the starting lineup, but the Mets are trying to spark their offense. Frazier has not hit left-handed pitching well this season, but is still worth a […]

Amed Rosario is Out on Friday

New York Mets shortstop Amed Rosario (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Rosario has been heating up with the bat lately, so that is a good sign for fantasy owners. Jose Reyes will draw the start at shortstop and bat eighth versus lefty Andrew Suarez. Reyes […]

Brandon Crawford is Out on Friday

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the New York Mets. Crawford is hitting .192/.185/.308 over the last week, so he'll get a night off. Alen Hanson will play shortstop and bat second versus righty Zack Wheeler. Hanson has not done much with the bat […]

Ian Desmond Will Sit Out on Friday

Colorado Rockies first baseman Ian Desmond (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the San Diego Padres. Desmond will get the night off after going hitless over his last three games. Ryan McMahon will play first base and bat seventh against righty Brett Kennedy. DFS players can go ahead and avoid […]

Cody Bellinger is Back in the Lineup, Matt Kemp is Out

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Bellinger did not start on Thursday, but will play center field and bat cleanup against righty Zack Greinke. Matt Kemp will get the night off after starting two straight games. Bellinger is hitting .333/.333/.800 with […]

Mike Zunino is Sitting on Friday

Seattle Mariners catcher Mike Zunino (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Oakland Athletics. This is just a normal day off for Zunino who has started three straight games prior to Friday. Chris Herrmann will draw the start behind the plate and bat seventh versus righty Mike Fiers. Herrmann can […]

Gio Gonzalez Acquired By Brewers

Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. Gonzalez had passed through waivers unclaimed and was made eligible to trade before Friday's midnight deadline. The Brewers had been searching for an extra starter for the past month or so and will look to have Gonzalez replace Junior Guerra in the […]

Shohei Ohtani Remains in the Lineup on Friday

Los Angeles Angels pitcher/hitter Shohei Ohtani will remain in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Houston Astros. Ohtani went 1-for-3 on Thursday and will bat sixth and serve as the designated hitter against lefty Framber Valdez on Friday. Ohtani will reportedly return to the hill on Sunday, so that is good news for […]

Mitch Moreland Remains Out on Friday

Boston Red Sox first baseman Mitch Moreland (knee) remains out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Chicago White Sox. This will be the third straight game that Moreland has missed after suffering a left knee contusion on Wednesday. Blake Swihart will play first base and bat sixth against righty Michael Kopech. Swihart […]

Jean Segura Sits Again Friday

Seattle Mariners shortstop Jean Segura is not in the lineup for Friday's tilt against the A's. The Mariners will be without their best hitter again as Segura is dealing with a bone bruise in his left shin. With the team fighting to stay in the playoff chase, it is unclear how long the All-Star will […]

Robbie Grossman Moves Up in the Batting Order

Minnesota Twins outfielder Robbie Grossman has moved up in the batting order for Friday's game against the Texas Rangers. Normally Grossman bats lower in the order and does not hit over fifth most games. However, Grossman will bat third and play left field against righty Drew Hutchison. Grossman does not have much upside with the […]

David Freese Starting At Third Base on Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman David Freese returns to the starting lineup on Friday after missing five straight games. Freese will play third base and bat cleanup versus righty Anibal Sanchez. Colin Moran will get the day off, but should be back on Saturday. Freese is not worth owning in fantasy leagues, but could be an […]

Dustin Fowler Promoted, Frankie Montas Optioned

The Oakland Athletics promoted outfielder Dustin Fowler from the minors on Friday and optioned starting pitcher Frankie Montas in a corresponding move. Montas didn't fare so well in his first start in the rotation since replacing the injured Sean Manaea, although he could make some starts down the stretch for the A's. Montas' fantasy value […]

Bartolo Colon Listed As Sunday Starter

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Bartolo Colon (back) will come off the disabled list and start on Sunday against the Twins. Despite the attractive matchup, Big Sexy hasn't been a reliable streaming pitcher for fantasy owners all year. The 45-year-old is 7-11 with a 5.45 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and terrible 5.0 K/9 in 25 outings (23 […]

Corey Dickerson is Back in the Lineup Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Corey Dickerson is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Dickerson was given the day off on Thursday, but will play left field and bat fifth versus righty Anibal Sanchez on Friday. Dickerson has really struggled with the bat over the last week. He can be avoided […]

Brewers Considering Gio Gonzalez

The Milwaukee Brewers are discussing trading for Washington Nationals starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez. The left-hander has cleared revocable trade waivers and can be dealt to any team by Friday evening. Gonzalez has really struggled since the All-Star break and has been a pitcher to avoid for fantasy purposes for a while. A move to hitter-friendly […]

Marcell Ozuna Expected To Return Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Marcell Ozuna (shoulder) is expected to return from the disabled list when rosters expand on Saturday, but he could be limited to pinch-hitting duty for a couple of days. It looks like the Cardinals will ease Ozuna back into action with Tyler O'Neill playing well of late. Ozuna should remain owned […]

Josh Harrison is Back in the Lineup on Friday

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Josh Harrison (hamstring) is back in the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Harrison has not started a game since August 25 due to lingering hamstring issues. He'll bat seventh and play second base versus righty Anibal Sanchez on Friday. Harrison has not hit well over the last two […]

Several Teams Discussing Josh Donaldson

The New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals are having trade discussions for Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Josh Donaldson as the trade deadline nears on Friday, according to sources. Donaldson has cleared trade waivers, and it looks increasingly likely that he'll be dealt Friday evening. He's been hurt for most […]

Billy McKinney Will Lead Off on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Billy McKinney will lead off and play left field versus righty Dan Straily on Friday. This will be the second straight game that Jays have McKinney leading off for them. He's hitting .364/.462/.773 with three home runs and nine RBI off right-handed pitching this season. McKinney should be a solid option […]

Justin Smoak is Out of the Lineup on Friday

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (rest) is out of the starting lineup for Friday's game against the Miami Marlins. The Jays are playing in a National League park, so they won't have a designated hitter for this contest. Kendrys Morales will play first base and bat third versus righty Dan Straily. Morales is […]