The Bigger Picture - Searching for Second-Half Splits

We must mentally brace ourselves for the darkest period of the calendar year - three days without a Major League Baseball game and one day without a regular-season game from any of the major professional sports. As fans, we hate the break. The players understandably love it and have been looking forward to the time […]

Anthony Bender Earns His First Win

Miami Marlins rookie relief pitcher Anthony Bender picked up his first major league win in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. More important than the win was the fact that Bender was used as the closer, coming into a one-run lead in the ninth inning. Yimi Garcia has been closing for the Marlins for […]

Jordan Holloway Shines Out Of The Bullpen On Wednesday

Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Jordan Holloway was excellent out of the bullpen in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a Don Mattingly managed bullpen game, Holloway followed opener Ross Detwiler after Detwiler was left in to give up five runs in just 2 2/3 innings. Holloway settled everything down immediately though, and provided […]

Alec Mills Snags Fourth Victory

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills recorded his fourth victory of the season on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Mills went 5 2/3 innings and allowed five hits, three runs, one walk and struck out five. Mills started the season out of the bullpen and was expected to lose his spot in the rotation when […]

Erik Swanson Activated From The Injured List

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Erik Swanson (groin) was removed from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday evening. Swanson has been on the shelf since the end of May because of a right groin strain, so his activation is good news for a team that will now be without Justus Sheffield (forearm) for at least a […]

Daniel Hudson Activated On Wednesday

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The veteran has been out of the lineup since June 12 because of right elbow inflammation. Hudson is sporting a 2.59 ERA and 35 strikeouts throughout just over 24 innings of work this season but has the most fantasy […]

Heath Hembree Picks Up Fourth Save

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Heath Hembree tossed a scoreless ninth inning to save a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Hembree did not allow a baserunner and struck out one in the frame. The veteran reliever has taken on a high-leverage role in the Cincy bullpen of late, having picked up three saves […]

Joe Smith Returns From Injured List

The Houston Astros activated relief pitcher Joe Smith (elbow) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned infielder Taylor Jones to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Smith has been out since June 9 with right elbow soreness and had a rough 6.23 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 17 1/3 relief innings for […]

Gregory Soto Converts Two-Inning Save On Wednesday

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Gregory Soto converted a two-inning save opportunity in the team's 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Soto pitched a pair of scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. The save was his seventh of the year. He now has a 2.78 ERA and 1.32 […]

Julian Merryweather Not Close To A Return

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (oblique) has suffered a setback while increasing his baseball activities, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. He has resumed his throwing program, but doesn't appear close to a return. It's not surprising to see the Jays being cautious with their young arm. He was pitching extremely well during his […]

Trevor Rosenthal Won't Pitch In 2021

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (hip) will miss the entire 2021 season, according to manager Bob Melvin. The veteran reliever will undergo hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. Rosenthal has not pitched for the A's this season since he underwent thoracic outlet surgery in early April. He signed a one-year deal worth over […]

Jake Reed To Serve As Opener Against Marlins Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Jake Reed will get the nod to start on the mound on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Reed will serve as the opener in this one, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to go long enough to qualify for a potential win. The 28-year-old has gone just two-thirds of an inning […]

Ryan Brasier Hasn't Cleared Concussion Protocols

Boston Red Sox pitching coach Dave Bush said that relief pitcher Ryan Brasier (head) still has not cleared the concussion protocols after he was hit in the head on June 4. Brasier has been throwing every day but has yet to get back on the mound. The 33-year-old right-hander's timetable for a return in the […]

Five Rays Pitchers Combine For Seven-Inning No-Hitter

Five Tampa Bay Rays pitchers combined to throw a seven-inning no-hitter against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday in the second game of a doubleheader. Because it was only a seven-inning game, it won't officially count as a no-hitter in the history books. Collin McHugh, Josh Fleming, Diego Castillo, Matt Wisler and Pete Fairbanks combined to […]

Josh Fleming Activated, To Serve As Bulk Pitcher In Game 2

The Tampa Bay Rays activated left-hander Josh Fleming (calf) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned left-hander Ryan Sherriff to Triple-A Durham in a corresponding move. Fleming is slated to serve as the bulk pitcher in Game 2 of the doubleheader against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday behind opener Collin McHugh. Fleming, 25, […]

Ryan Weathers Notches Victory Despite Uneven Outing

San Diego Padres starter Ryan Weathers earned his fourth victory Tuesday against the Washington Nationals, serving four earned runs in 5 ⅓ innings. Weathers battled through 71 pitches, permitting seven hits including two homers while striking out two and walking none. Fortunately, his starting counterpart Erick Fedde was slightly worse and Weathers managed the win. […]

Spenser Watkins Earns Win In First Career Start

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Spenser Watkins had a special game in Tuesday's 7-5 win over the Blue Jays, earning the win in his first big-league start. Watkins pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts. The 28-year-old has never been much of a strikeout pitcher but did have a […]

Bryan Garcia Optioned To Triple-A

The Detroit Tigers optioned struggling relief pitcher Bryan Garcia to Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. The team has yet to announce a corresponding move to fill Garcia's roster spot. Garcia had made three appearances out of the bullpen in July. He had given up at least one home run in each appearance. In total, he pitched […]

Daniel Bard Struggles In Loss To The D-Backs

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard took the loss on Tuesday when he allowed one run on one hit with two walks and a hit batter over 1/3 of an inning in a 4-3 loss to the D-Backs. This was a very poor outing for Bard, who was tasked with preserving a 3-3 tie when […]

Yimi Garcia Struggles Again On Tuesday

Miami Marlins closer Yimi Garcia struggled again on Tuesday in another non-save situation. He came into a tie game and allowed two hits and a walk, but somehow escaped without allowing a run. The Marlins ended up winning the game in extra innings, but Garcia keeps struggling and the peripheral stats seem to be finally […]

Jacob Webb Back With Braves

Atlanta Braves middle relief pitcher Jacob Webb was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett Tuesday. He has already been up with the big club this season, appearing in 17 games. The hurler carries a 5.29 ERA with a win and two losses. Webb has struck 17 batters in 17 frames pitched. Hopefully, the 27-year-old can stick with […]

Liam Hendriks Records Final Six Outs

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks recorded the final six outs of Tuesday's victory versus the Minnesota Twins for his 22nd save of the season. Hendriks struck out the side in the bottom of the eighth inning and then would begin the ninth inning with another strikeout. He would then get Max Kepler and Miguel […]

Derek Holland Begins Rehab Assignment Tuesday

Detroit Tigers pitcher Derek Holland (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Toledo on Tuesday. He allowed one hit and one walk while striking out three across one inning during Tuesday's rehab assignment. The southpaw has been sidelined since early June with shoulder inflammation. He owns a 9.60 ERA, 2.07 WHIP, and a 20:9 K: […]

Ryan Tepera Expected To Be Activated Friday

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ryan Tepera (calf) threw live batting practice on Monday and is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list ahead of Friday's game against the Cardinals. He's been sidelined since June 29 with a left calf strain. The 33-year-old owns a 3.35 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, and a 41:12 K: BB across […]

Darren O'Day Placed On The 10-Day Injured List

New York Yankees relief pitcher Darren O'Day (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left hamstring strain. Pitcher Nick Nelson was recalled from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. O'Day was activated from the injured list just a week ago after dealing with a shoulder issue so it didn't take long for […]

Craig Kimbrel Will Be The Most Coveted Trade Target

With the Chicago Cubs losing their 10th straight game on Monday, it's looking more likely that they'll be sellers at the trade deadline, and closer Craig Kimbrel is expected to be the most coveted player on the trade market. The Boston Red Sox could be a natural landing spot for Kimbrel, who played in Beantown […]

Aaron Sanchez, Reyes Moronta Making Progress

San Francisco Giants right-handers Aaron Sanchez (finger) and Reyes Moronta (elbow) are making progress from their respective injuries. Sanchez threw two innings (40 pitches) during a live batting practice session on Tuesday. He's been out since May 5 with biceps tendinitis and has also been battling more blister issues on his throwing hand. The 29-year-old […]

Corey Oswalt Lands On Injured List

The New York Mets placed right-hander Corey Oswalt (knee) on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with right knee inflammation and recalled right-hander Robert Stock from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Oswalt suffered the injury in his first start of the season on Sunday against the New York Yankees. He had a 3.48 ERA, […]

Mychal Givens Activated From Injured List

The Colorado Rockies activated relief pitcher Mychal Givens (back) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned left-hander Ben Bowden to Triple-A Albuquerque in a corresponding move. Givens has been out since June 17 with a lower back strain, but he'll return to Colorado's bullpen with a nice 2.78 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 25/11 […]

Erick Fedde Getting The Start On Tuesday

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Erick Fedde (oblique) has been activated from the injured list and will get the start Tuesday against the San Diego Padres, Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post reported. Fedde has been sidelined since June 27 with an oblique strain. The 28-year-old's return seems rushed, but may be necessary for a Nationals […]