Michael Kopech Making Excellent Progress

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa said he saw "excellent progress" from relief pitcher Michael Kopech's (hamstring) simulated game on Friday. The plan is for Kopech to throw another simulated game on Monday. After that, the White Sox will determine if the right-hander will need to go on a rehab assignment. The 25-year-old has […]

Phillies Place Sam Coonrod On Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies placed relief pitcher Sam Coonrod (forearm) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with right forearm tendinitis. The move is retroactive to June 24. In corresponding moves, infielder Nick Maton and right-hander Neftali Feliz were called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. Right-hander David Hale was designated for assignment. On the year, Coonrod […]

Astros-Tigers Game Postponed Due To Rain

The scheduled matchup between the Houston Astros and Detroit Tigers for Friday night has been postponed due to rain, according to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Saturday, with Game 1 scheduled to start at 1:10 p.m. Managers should make sure to […]

Jose Alvarado To Start Getting Save Opportunities

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado will get the first crack at save opportunities for now, manager Joe Girardi said on Friday. The decision to move Alvarado into a closing role comes on the heels of Hector Neris blowing his third straight save in a 13-12 loss to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday. Alvarado owns […]

Erick Fedde (SP/RP, WSH) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 22% of leagues ANALYSIS: With eleven starts in eleven appearances, Erick Fedde might be poised to shed eligibility as a reliever, but with his biggest problem as a pitcher being solved this season, his name is officially on the radar. In 55.1 IP this year he […]

Jorge Alcala Takes Loss Thursday

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Jorge Alcala was charged with his second loss of the season in Thursday's defeat to the Cleveland Indians. Alcala entered the game in the top of the eighth inning but quickly got into trouble after two leadoff singles. He was pulled after intentionally walking Jose Ramirez to load the bases, then […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 14 Waiver Wire

So it's not a super common expression, but sometimes, when a pitcher makes a hitter look really bad (usually on a breaking ball), you'll hear announcers say he "undressed him" with the pitch. Well, here's the thing: this week, we've had actual pitchers undress on the field. Manfred League Baseball began enforcing the sticky stuff rules this […]

The Baller Ranks: Weekly Top 101 Relief Pitcher Rankings

With the final week of June upon us, we are all crossing the season's 50% checkpoint. As we all know, that means it's the perfect time to change rules for pitchers...sigh. Manfred shenanigans aside, we push on with my top 101 RP Baller Ranks are geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues with some mentions for […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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 […]

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, […]

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 […]

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. […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]