Anthony Bender Works As The Opener In Thursday's Game

Miami Marlins rookie relief pitcher Anthony Bender served as the opener in Thursday's game against the San Diego Padres. Bender did his job, pitching a scoreless first inning. He hit Jake Cronenworth with a pitch, but otherwise did not allow any base runners, striking out one batter. Bender had been struggling somewhat over his past […]

Kris Bryant, Craig Kimbrel Likely To Be Traded

Rival executives believe that the Chicago Cubs will sell big with third baseman Kris Bryant, closer Craig Kimbrel, starting pitcher Zach Davies and perhaps others at the trade deadline, but there's also a solid chance that they hold onto shortstop Javier Baez and/or first baseman Anthony Rizzo. The Cubs are expected to try and sign […]

Jimmy Nelson Could Return This Weekend

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Jimmy Nelson (back) could be activated from the 10-day injured list either Sunday or Tuesday. He will throw a simulated game on Thursday, and how he responds will determine what day the right-hander returns. Nelson has been sidelined since early July with a left lumbar strain. The 32-year-old owns a terrific […]

J.P. Feyereisen Dealing With Biceps Tendinitis

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash said that relief pitcher J.P. Feyereisen's (biceps) MRI exam didn't reveal any structural damage, and he appears to be dealing with biceps tendinitis. Feyereisen will rest for a few days and then start working his way back, but he will be out for longer than 10 days. The 28-year-old […]

Sergio Alcantara Optioned, Trevor Megill Recalled

Chicago Cubs infielder Sergio Alcantara has been optioned to Triple-A Iowa ahead of Thursday's contest against the St. Louis Cardinals. The young infielder has struggled during his time at the big league level. Right-hander Trevor Megill will be recalled in a corresponding move. The Cubs bullpen has been used frequently lately and needs another fresh […]

Jordan Holloway Likely To Be Bulk Reliever Thursday

The Miami Marlins recalled right-hander Jordan Holloway from Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday, and he's likely to be the team's bulk reliever after Anthony Bender opens against the San Diego Padres. Right-hander Nick Neidert was optioned to Jacksonville after a successful spot start on Wednesday night. Holloway has been great for the Marlins this year, posting […]

Cristian Javier Playing Key Role In Astros Bullpen

Houston Astros pitcher Cristian Javier was moved from the team's starting rotation to the bullpen after making nine starts this year. Over the past two months, he's found himself playing a key role in the team's bullpen. He has four holds and a save since early June. He pitched 14.1 innings out of the bullpen […]

Bullpen Report: Gearing Up for the Trade Deadline

With the All-Star game behind us we are now entering the stretch run of the fantasy baseball season. The truth is, the second half is really when leagues are won or lost. Sure, you could have had a great first half, but as my brother likes to quote from his favorite movie - no body […]

Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets for Week 17

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, […]

Top 25 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for Week 17

It’s hard to believe but the second half of the season is officially here. With the diminished schedule ahead, the Top 50 list has transitioned to ranking the Top 25 redraft prospects for the remainder of 2021. Last week’s list lost some key names as a number of clubs called up top prospects for a […]

Yimi Garcia Earns His 14th Save On Wednesday

Miami Marlins closer Yimi Garcia picked up his 14th save of the season on Wednesday with a perfect 10th inning of work. Garcia came into the bottom of the 10th inning with the task of preserving a 3-1 lead and he did just that, recording a fly out, a ground out, and a line out […]

Tyler Rogers Earns Redemption Save Wednesday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers got back on the right track in Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Dodgers, picking up his 11th save of the season. Rogers, who blew the save in the previous game, came on to pitch the ninth inning up by two and pitched a 1-2-3 inning. The side-armer has […]

Asher Wojciechowski Pitches Four Innings In Spot Start

New York Yankees pitcher Asher Wojciechowski worked four innings in a spot start against the Phillies on Wednesday. Wojciechowski struggled with control, throwing just 48 of 83 pitches for strikes and issuing three walks. The 32-year-old righty did allow just two runs and struck out four, including seven swinging strikes. Wojciechowski may be needed for […]

Hector Neris Suffers Another Blow Up On Wednesday At Yankees

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris allowed three runs in one inning at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday. Two steps forward, three steps back for Neris, who earned a save in his last outing on Sunday. He was less sharp in this one, however, as he allowed a go-ahead single to Giancarlo Stanton before serving up […]

Scott Barlow Records His Fifth Save On Wednesday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Scott Barlow closed out the team's 6-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Wednesday to earn his fifth save of the year. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing no hits or walks while striking out one. Greg Holland earned the save for the Royals on Tuesday, a game in […]

Ranger Suarez Tagged With Loss Versus Yankees

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ranger Suarez was the tough-luck loser on Wednesday at the Yankees, as he allowed an unearned run to score in the 10th inning. Fantasy managers don't need to worry about Suarez losing his grip on the closer job, however, as he actually pitched well in this game. Suarez was called on […]

Gregory Soto Earns Save In Second Straight Game

Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto locked up the team's 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday to earn his second save in as many days. He now has 10 saves and just one blown save on the year. Soto pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday, allowing one hit and no walks without striking […]

Michael Wacha Efficient In No-Decision Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Michael Wacha allowed three earned runs on six hits while striking out two across five innings during Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Orioles. He did not factor into the decision. The 30-year-old was efficient on Wednesday, needing only 58 pitches to complete five innings. He didn't walk anyone but did yield […]

James Karinchak Locks Down Save Wednesday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak threw a perfect ninth inning en route to earning his 11th save in Wednesday night's 5-4 win over the Houston Astros. It was a solid rebound performance after allowing a run on two hits and a walk in his previous outing on Saturday in Oakland. He will continue to […]

Kenley Jansen Implodes On Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen blew his second consecutive save on Wednesday versus the San Francisco Giants. Jansen was all over the place in the top of the ninth inning and gave up a two-run home run to Wilmer Flores to give the Giants a 3-2 lead. Jansen would then get Mike Yastrzemski to […]

Craig Kimbrel Suffers Loss On Wednesday

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel suffered his third loss of the season on Wednesday versus the St. Louis Cardinals. Kimbrel entered the game with two outs and two runners on in the bottom of the ninth inning and got Paul Goldschmidt out to send the game into extra innings. Kimbrel would stay in the game […]

Alexander Wells Makes Serviceable Spot Start Wednesday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Alexander Wells had a successful spot start in Wednesday's 5-4 loss to the Rays. Wells was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to fill in for Keegan Akin (Covid-19), pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing three runs on five hits (including two home runs) and two walks with seven strikeouts. The 24-year-old has only […]

Mark Melancon Snatches Drama-Free Save

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon retired the Atlanta Braves in order Wednesday to collect his MLB-leading 28th save. Melancon had been scuffling of late but breezed through the bottom of the Braves order in 11 pitches, fanning two batters and forcing a ground out to end the game. Unless he continues his slide, Melancon's […]

Adam Ottavino Holds 16th Game Of The Year

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Adam Ottavino recorded his 16th hold of the year Wednesday, allowing just a walk in an inning of work while striking out one batter against the Toronto Blue Jays. With seven saves in addition to those 16 holds, he's a top option in leagues that count both categories. With his […]

Matt Barnes Saves 20th Game Of The Season

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes locked down his 20th save of the year Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, setting down the three batters he faced in order with one strikeout. Barnes has been consistently excellent all season, but especially so of late with just one earned run allowed in his last 10 […]

Brad Hand Takes The Loss Wednesday

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Brad Hand was saddled with the loss Wednesday, allowing two runs (one earned) on one hit and one walk in two innings of work. Hand's record drops to 5-3 for the season with a 2.63 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, and 40 strikeouts in 41 innings. He remains a top closing option despite […]

Darren McCaughan Impressive In Debut

Seattle Mariners pitcher Darren McCaughan made his major league debut Wednesday afternoon and didn't allow a hit in five innings, though he did walk three batters and allow one earned run. McCaughan is an unheralded prospect, but he could be in line for some time in the Mariners rotation amidst injuries to Justin Dunn and […]

Padres-Braves Game Suspended Due To Inclement Weather

The series finale between the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves on Wednesday night has been suspended in the bottom of the fifth inning due to inclement weather, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. There has not been a makeup date announced yet, but Cassavell reports that it could end up being completed in September […]

Daniel Bard Secures The Save On Wednesday

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard earned his 15th save of the season on Wednesday when he worked a scoreless ninth inning, allowing no hits and punching out one in a 6-3 win over the Mariners. Bard had to face the three, four, and five hitters in the Mariners' lineup but had plenty of breathing […]

Tony Santillan Makes Relief Appearance

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Tony Santillan allowed two runs in an inning of work in a 7-0 loss to the New York Mets on Wednesday. Santillan struck out two and allowed two hits, including a two-run homer to Luis Guillorme in the loss. The rookie hurler lost his spot in the starting rotation when Sonny Gray […]