Setting the Optimal Week 1 Fantasy Baseball Lineup

There was a time this winter where we did not know if or when we would get to say those words. There is just something about the start of the baseball season that makes you feel good! Spring is here, weather is getting nicer, and of course, there are games on all day long now […]

Robert Suarez Struggles In Save Opportunity

San Diego Padres reliever Robert Suarez was called upon in the ninth inning to close out the team's 2-0 lead over the Diamondbacks, but was unable to record an out before getting the hook. The right-hander walked the first two batters he faced on a combined nine pitches before issuing a wild pitch, and then […]

Tony Santillan Picks Up Save For Reds

Cincinnati Reds reliever Tony Santillan got the surprise call in the ninth inning on Thursday to close out the club's 6-3 win over the Braves. The right-hander tossed a perfect 15-pitch frame to earn his first career save as he recorded a groundout and a pair of strikeouts to end the contest. The Reds closing […]

Taylor Rogers Will Serve As Padres Closer

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Taylor Rogers will be the team's closer, according to manager Bob Melvin. The Padres acquired Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday morning in exchange for starting pitcher Chris Paddack and relief pitcher Emilio Pagan. It was assumed that Rogers would be the Padres ninth-inning man […]

Anthony Bender To Get First Shot At Save Chances

Miami Marlins pitcher Anthony Bender is the "go-to guy" in the ninth inning, said manager Don Mattingly. He will get the first shot to be Miami's primary closer. The 27-year-old could have competition for save chances once Dylan Floro (shoulder) returns from the 10-day injured list. The Marlins also recently acquired reliever Cole Sulser from […]

Duane Underwood Jr. Injures Hamstring Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Duane Underwood Jr. (hamstring) was removed from the game on Opening Day with right hamstring discomfort, according to Jason Mackey. Underwood Jr. wasn't much of a fantasy option to begin with as he is buried in the pecking order for saves in Pittsburgh behind more experienced relievers. With a stint on […]

David Robertson Nails Down Opening-Day Save

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Opening Day to earn his first save of 2022. The veteran righty pitched around a one-out single by Willy Adames by striking out Christian Yelich and inducing a game-ending groundout by Andrew McCutchen. Robertson is long removed from being an elite option in […]

Red Sox Won't Have A Set Closer

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he won't have a set closer to start the season, but he would like right-hander Matt Barnes to pitch himself back into the ninth-inning role. Barnes' fastball velocity was down in camp, and the team believes they discovered a mechanical flaw that led to the drop in velocity. […]

Eric Samulski's Bold Predictions for 2022 Fantasy Baseball

It's bold prediction time! Everybody's favorite time of year. Last year, I put out my bold prediction article and it was the second straight year of being all over the place with my results. Some of the predictions hit, like Randy Arozarena being outside the top-30 outfielders, Sixto Sanchez being the least valuable Marlins starter, […]

Chris Mazza Makes Rays Roster

After 11 seasons in professional baseball and at the age of 32, Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Chris Mazza has been informed that he's made the team's Opening Day roster. Mazza has pitched in 73 2/3 major league innings, but he's never made an Opening Day roster before now. In his 32 big-league appearances with the […]

Padres Acquire Taylor Rogers, Brent Rooker

The San Diego Padres acquired relief pitcher Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker from the Minnesota Twins on Thursday in exchange for starting pitcher Chris Paddack and relief pitcher Emilio Pagan. Rogers, a 31-year-old left-hander, will likely become the new closer in San Diego, which is bad news for anyone that already drafted Robert Suarez. […]

Chris Paddack Traded To The Twins

The San Diego Padres have agreed to a trade that will send starting pitcher Chris Paddack and relief pitcher Emilio Pagan to the Minnesota Twins. In exchange, the Padres are receiving relief pitcher Taylor Rogers and outfielder Brent Rooker. There are some key fantasy implications for this move. First off, Paddack will have a starting gig […]

Gabe Klobosits Designated For Assignment

The Washington Nationals have designated relief pitcher Gabe Klobosits for assignment. The 26-year-old saw his first exposure to the majors with the club last year. He pitched 11.1 innings and had a 5.56 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. He only faced one batter this spring. Klobosits stands at a towering 6'8" and has a mid-90s fastball. […]

Nick Mariano's Bold Predictions for 2022 Fantasy Baseball

We press on with the hit series where your favorite RotoBallers get a chance to flex their convictions. I know Opening Day is right around the corner but I couldn't let the year begin without firing this bad boy off. Yes, it is time to run wild with some 2022 Bold Predictions. Bold doesn’t mean […]

RotoSurgeon's Bold Predictions for 2022 Fantasy Baseball

The best time of year is when I am allowed a platform to over-explain my seemingly irrational fantasy opinions. Bold predictions are a fun exercise for any and all analysts to let their gut do the talking beyond a tweet that may just come off as a hot take. For what it is worth, these […]

A.J. Ramos Announces Retirement

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher A.J. Ramos announced his retirement from baseball on Wednesday. The nine-year veteran is hanging 'em up after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury during Spring Training. He has thrown just 7.1 innings since 2018, but earlier in his career, he posted three sub-2.85 ERAs and tallied 99 saves from 2015 to […]

Taylor Rogers Drawing Padres' Interest

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Taylor Rogers has generated interest from the San Diego Padres as trade talks between the two teams continue, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. He would be part of the return heading back to San Diego in exchange for Chris Paddack, though as Rosenthal notes, talks are […]

Colby White To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Tampa Bay Rays pitching prospect Colby White (elbow) is set to undergo Tommy John surgery on his elbow. He will miss the entire 2022 season as a result. The 23-year-old is ranked as the No. 25 overall prospect in the Rays organization by MLB.com. He had an extraordinary rise through the minors last season. He […]

John Curtiss Signs With Mets

The New York Mets have signed relief pitcher John Curtiss (forearm) to a major league deal. He is set to make $770,000 this season with a $775,000 team option for next season. The right-hander tore his ulnar collateral ligament last fall and underwent Tommy John surgery afterwards. He won't be pitching in 2022. Over 86.2 […]

Jordan Hicks Named No. 5 Starter

St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jordan Hicks will open the year as the team's No. 5 starter. Jack Flaherty (shoulder) will begin the season on the injured list, so his injury opened up a spot in the starting rotation. Hicks was expected to have a shot at save chances alongside Giovanny Gallegos and others in 2022, […]

Jairo Diaz Signs With Mariners

Free-agent relief pitcher Jairo Diaz signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday. Diaz didn't pitch in the majors in 2021, but the right-hander has some closing experience (nine saves in his last two seasons) and will provide the Mariners with some relief depth this year. The 30-year-old had four saves for […]

Jose Cisnero Goes On 60-Day Injured List

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero (shoulder) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday due to a right shoulder sprain. Pitchers Will Vest, Drew Hutchison, Jacob Barnes and Elvin Rodriguez have all made the Opening Day bullpen. Infielder Willi Castro will start the year at Triple-A. The injury troubles continue for Cisnero, whose 2021 […]

Spencer Patton Optioned To Minors

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Spencer Patton won't make the Opening Day roster. This comes as a bit of a surprise since Patton pitched well out of the bullpen last season. The 34-year-old posted a 3.83 ERA with 48 strikeouts and two saves in 42 appearances with Texas. However, Patton was roughed up for four earned […]

Scott Barlow Pitches Four Clean Innings In Cactus League

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Barlow looked good on the mound during his four appearances in Cactus League play this spring. He pitched four scoreless innings and allowed just one walk and one hit while striking out five. He converted his only save opportunity. Barlow appears to be first in line for saves in […]

Mariners And Twins Pushed Back To Friday

Thursday's scheduled game between the Seattle Mariners and Minnesota Twins has been pushed back to Friday. An ominous weather forecast in Minnesota has caused the postponement. The teams will now open their four-game series with a 4:10 PM EST game on Friday. Reigning AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray will be taking the mound for […]

Yankees And Red Sox Postponed To Friday

The opening matchup of the upcoming New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox series has been postponed from Thursday to Friday due to inclement weather in New York. The two rivals were originally slated to kick-off the 2022 season with a 1:00 PM EST start time on Thursday. Now, we'll get to start the year […]

Identifying Risk via ATC Projections – Top 100 Players

In my previous article, “Identifying Risk via the ATC Projections – Round 1,” I provided a primer on the ATC Projections volatility metrics. To further your understanding, and for a visual explanation of how these volatility metrics work, please check out the seven-minute video entitled, “Using ATC Projections to Minimize Fantasy Baseball Draft Risk.” This […]

Eric Samulski's "My Guys" for 2022 Fantasy Baseball

Throughout fantasy baseball draft season, we get a lot of fantasy baseball sleepers or fantasy baseball busts articles, which are useful in finding guys who may be valued too high or low by ADP and can return a nice profit on our rosters. However, we also talk a lot about reaching a point in the […]

Ryan Pressly Reaches Two-Year Extension With Astros

The Houston Astros and closer Ryan Pressly agreed to a two-year, $30 million contract extension on Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the situation. The deal includes a 2025 vesting option that can make the deal worth up to $42 million. MLB Network's Jon Heyman reports Pressly will make $14 million in 2023 and 2024 […]

Mark Melancon Hit Hard Over Four Spring Outings

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Mark Melancon had a rough time on the mound this spring. He made four appearances and pitched a total of 3 1/3 innings. He gave up seven hits, four walks and six earned runs while striking out two. The 37-year-old is currently in line to be the D-backs' closer out of […]