Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets for Week 13

Sometimes fantasy baseball can resemble the stock market. You want the best portfolio of players without having to pay too much for them. Sometimes to achieve the optimal team, you need to make trades. The best way to gain added value is to trade away an over-performing player for one in a rut. This way,... Read More

James Karinchak Records Ninth Save Thursday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak recorded his ninth save of the season in Thursday night's 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins by allowing just one hit in the ninth inning. Although Karinchak did not strike anyone out in this one, he still had a solid frame by allowing just the one hit. He has... Read More

Kyle Barraclough Signs Minors Deal With Twins

The Minnesota Twins have signed relief pitcher Kyle Barraclough to a minor league deal. The veteran righty reliever was released by the New York Yankees earlier this month. Before getting cut, Barraclough posted a 4.21 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 24/11 K/BB ratio across 14 innings in Triple-A. He has not pitched in the MLB since... Read More

Bryan Abreu Begins Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu (calf) began a minor league rehab assignment on Thursday in Triple-A. He has been sidelined since late May due to a lingering calf injury. It sounds like the 24-year-old should be back in the Astros bullpen soon. Hopefully he can return in roughly a week, assuming he doesn't suffer a... Read More

Brad Brach Earns Save On Thursday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brad Brach threw a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Brach struck out two and allowed one hit on the way to earning his first save since the 2018 season. The veteran reliever should be in line to pitch in more high-leverage situations with... Read More

Justin Steele Set To Begin Rehab Assignment

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Justin Steele (hamstring) is heading to Triple-A to begin a rehab assignment. He has been sidelined since late May due to a right hamstring strain. However, Steele was an excellent bullpen option for the Cubs before going down. He posted a 2.03 ERA, 21/7 K/BB ratio and 1.05 WHIP over 13... Read More

Joe Smith To Throw Bullpen Session Friday

Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith (elbow) will throw a bullpen session on Friday. It sounds like Smith will use his whole arsenal at the session in Detroit. The hope is that things go well and Smith can be activated shortly after the session. However, he might be asked to go on a rehab assignment,... Read More

Scott Alexander Pitching In Triple-A On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Alexander (shoulder) will pitch for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Thursday. This is an advancement for Alexander after he was pitching in Low-A while rehabbing his shoulder. The move to Triple-A means Alexander is getting closer to a return. He is not eligible to return from the 60-day injured list... Read More

Randy Dobnak Placed On 10-Day Injured List

Minnesota Twins starter/reliever Randy Dobnak (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right middle finger strain. Dobnak had dealt with a fingernail issue following his start on June 10, though this seems to be a different ailment. It's not yet clear how much time the 26-year-old will be forced to miss, but... Read More

Jake Diekman Whiffs Three In Outing Versus Rangers

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman struck out the side while allowing one hit in his appearance against the Rangers on Thursday. The left-hander has been one of the better non-closers to roster in fantasy, as he's got a 3.13 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP while collecting the occasional save. Where Diekman really stands out,... Read More

Jesse Chavez, Tanner Roark Join Braves

The Atlanta Braves optioned pitchers Kyle Wright and Ty Tice on Thursday and recalled right-handers Jesse Chavez and Tanner Roark in corresponding moves. To make room for Chavez and Roark on the 40-man roster, Tucker Davidson and Alex Jackson were moved to the 60-day injured list. Wright, 25, had allowed seven earned runs in just... Read More

Keynan Middleton Recalled From Triple-A

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Keynan Middleton was called up from Triple-A Tacoma Thursday, ending his short and unexpected stint in the minor leagues. Before his demotion, Middleton was garnering the occasional save opportunity, converting in all four of his opportunities. He has posted a 4.42 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 14 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings.... Read More

Lucas Sims Placed On The 10-Day Injured List

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Lucas Sims was placed on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right elbow. He struggled in his previous outing and the elbow issue could be the reason why. The 27-year-old is 7-for-9 in save opportunities along with a 5.02 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 44:15 K: BB across 28 2/3 innings.... Read More

Mark Melancon Earns 23rd Save Of Season

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon earned his 23rd save of the season in a 5-3 victory on Wednesday to help the Friars sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers for the first time since 2013. Melancon allowed a leadoff single and a walk but was aided by a double play to end the contest. The veteran... Read More

Aroldis Chapman Picks Up Win After Blown Save

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman blew the save but ultimately picked up the win in Wednesday's victory over Kansas City. Chapman attempted to protect a one-run lead, sandwiching a pair of strikeouts around a single. He then allowed another base hit, intentionally walked a batter, then walked in the tying run with the... Read More

Josh Hader Pitches A Perfect Inning For Save Number 19

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader pitched a perfect inning and struck out two to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Arizona. Hader needed 17 pitches to complete the inning, but he got the job done cleanly. The closer is now 19-for-19 in save opportunities this year. He's pitched to a minuscule 0.59 ERA... Read More

Edwin Diaz With Five-Out Save On Wednesday

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz locked down his 16th save of the year on Wednesday night, throwing 1 2/3 innings pitched to secure the Mets 7-3 win over the Braves. Diaz allowed just one walk while striking out two, to convert the five-out save. He threw 33 pitches in the outing but, with... Read More

Daniel Bard Picks Up 10th Save Of The Season

Colorado Rockies right-hander Daniel Bard earned his 10th save of the season on Wednesday when he picked up a strikeout and a walk over one-third of an inning in a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. This was a 5-1 ball game heading into the ninth inning, so Carlos Estevez came in to close things... Read More

Corey Knebel Could Return By End Of August

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (lat) could return to the team by the end of August, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. Knebel landed on the injured list with a right lat strain at the end of April, and it appears now this injury is going to cost him the majority of... Read More

Braves Likely To Stay Away From Will Smith Wednesday

Atlanta Braves manager Brian Snitker said that the team will likely stay away from closer William Smith on Wednesday against the New York Mets after he's recorded a save in each of the last three days. Smith has been one of the few bright spots for Atlanta's bullpen this year, although his 3.82 ERA isn't... Read More

Michael Fulmer Closes Out Four-Run Victory Over Cardinals

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer pitched a solid ninth inning to close out the team's 6-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday. He allowed one hit, no walks and no runs while striking out two. Fulmer has taken over as the team's primary closer once again. He earned the team's last two... Read More

Hector Neris On The Hot Seat After Another Blown Save

Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris blew his fifth save of the season in a 13-12 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday, allowing two earned runs on three hits in his inning of work. Following the game, when asked about a potential change to the closer role, manager Joe Girardi said, "I'll take an off... Read More

Mychal Givens Making Progress

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Mychal Givens (back) is making good progress from his lower back strain after landing on the 10-day injured list on June 17. It's an injury that had been bothering him since before his placement on the injured list. Givens was able to play catch on Tuesday and has also been going... Read More

Liam Hendriks Records 19th Save

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks recorded his 19th save of the season on Wednesday versus the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hendriks was called upon to protect a one-run lead and worked a 1-2-3 inning with one strikeout. Hendriks has been everything that the White Sox expected when they signed him to a large contract this offseason... Read More

Stefan Crichton Designated For Assignment

The Arizona Diamondbacks designated relief pitcher Stefan Crichton for assignment on Wednesday. Outfielder Nick Heath was called up from Triple-A in a corresponding move. Crichton was one of the team's primary high-leverage relievers early on in the year, but he's had a dreadful season overall. Over 29 appearances, he's suffered four losses while posting a... Read More

Daniel Ponce de Leon Placed On Injured List

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Daniel Ponce de Leon (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with right shoulder discomfort. Right-hander Seth Elledge was recalled from Triple-A Memphis in a corresponding move. Ponce de Leon left his outing against the Detroit Tigers early on Tuesday with the shoulder discomfort. The 29-year-old has been... Read More

Twins Sign Nick Vincent To Minors Deal

The Minnesota Twins have reached an agreement with relief pitcher Nick Vincent on a minor league deal. The veteran reliever was cut by the Texas Rangers on Tuesday and already has a new home. He posted a 4.11 ERA and 22/7 K/BB ratio over 15 1/3 innings in Triple-A this season. Possibly, Vincent gets a... Read More

Updated Top 250 Dynasty Baseball Prospects

Today, we refresh our Top 250 dynasty fantasy baseball prospects list at RotoBaller, which was last updated back in March. Providing accurate prospect valuations is a difficult job at any time, but the pandemic made it an even more challenging gig over the past 12-16 months. The 2020 minor league season was entirely wiped out... Read More

Jonathan Loaisiga Struggles Tuesday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga was charged with the loss in Tuesday's defeat to the Kansas City Royals. The normally sharp Loaisiga came into the game in the eighth inning and was noticeably off, picking up two strikeouts but allowing four runs on five hits in the frame. Despite the subpar effort, those... Read More

Greg Holland Earns His Fifth Save On Tuesday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland closed out Tuesday's 6-5 win over the New York Yankees to record his fifth save of the year. Holland pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. He has now closed out each of the team's last three wins, two of... Read More