Mark Melancon Blows Save In Epic Fashion

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon suffered a ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, coughing up four earned runs and blowing his third save. Spotted a two-run lead, Melancon allowed three knocks to tie the game, then permitted a two-run blast by second baseman Jonathan India to put the Friars behind 4-2. He was […]

Vinny Nittoli Called Up Friday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Vinny Nittoli will be called up ahead of Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 30-year-old reliever will reach the big league level for the first time in his career. Throughout his career, Nittoli has pitched for a handful of different organizations and some independent ball as well. Nittoli has […]

Sammy Long (RP, SF) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Sammy Long isn't the typical reliever to qualify for the weekly ranks of worthwhile additions, but the numbers suggest he packs much more promise than you would initially think. The 25-year-old lefty out of Sacramento State has started his MLB career with […]

Ryan Hendrix Blows Save Thursday

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ryan Hendrix blew a save opportunity Thursday versus the San Diego Padres. Hendrix gave up a walk and a two-run blast to Padres third baseman Manny Machado. Despite not recording the save, Hendrix will remain the Reds closer until Tejay Antone is healthy. The 26-year-old has pitched in 18 2/3 frames logging […]

Craig Kimbrel Continues Impressive Season

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his 19th save of the season in Thursday's victory versus the New York Mets. Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 inning and struck out two batters. The veteran has been lights out this season and now owns a microscopic 0.64 ERA on the season. Kimbrel had question marks entering the […]

Cardinals Sign Lefty Wade LeBlanc

The St. Louis Cardinals signed veteran left-hander Wade LeBlanc on Thursday, and he will join the team for their game on Thursday night against the Atlanta Braves. LeBlanc's one-year deal will pay him $800,000 while in the major leagues and $150,000 while in the minors. Manager Mike Shildt said that LeBlanc will pitch out of […]

Rafael Dolis Lands On Injured List With Finger Strain

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a strained right middle finger, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Dolis exited Wednesday's game after four pitches with "no sensation in his hand," and it was reported earlier Thursday afternoon that he would be […]

Michael Lorenzen Expected To Return After All-Star Break

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) is expected to return following the All-Star break, Reds beat writer Bobby Nightengale reported Thursday. Reds manager David Bell initially said Lorenzen could return and start throwing out of the bullpen as soon as late June, but he confirmed on Thursday that the 29-year-old righty will need more time. […]

Mychal Givens Placed On Injured List

Colorado Rockies right-hander Mychal Givens (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday due to a lower back strain that has been nagging him for several days. In a corresponding move, the Rockies called up reliever Justin Lawrence from Triple-A. Givens owns a 2.78 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, a 25:11 K:BB, and seven […]

Rafael Dolis Not Available On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (hand) is not available to pitch on Thursday against the Yankees, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Dolis left Wednesday's outing after just four pitches with what was described as, "No sensation in his hand." Dolis is still being evaluated and no decision has been made if he'll require […]

Raisel Iglesias Fresh And Ready For Weekend Games

Los Angeles Angels closer Raisel Iglesias should be fresh and ready to go when called upon heading into Thursday's matchup against the Tigers. Iglesias has not pitched since June 12, picking up a save despite allowing a run against the Diamondbacks. The Angels have turned their season around in the month of June but have […]

Jacob Webb Recalled, Kyle Muller Optioned Thursday

The Atlanta Braves recalled relief pitcher Jacob Webb and optioned relief pitcher Kyle Muller to Triple-A Gwinnett on Thursday, the team announced on Twitter. Muller is coming off his major league debut on Wednesday, where he allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout in one inning of work against the Red Sox. Webb […]

Hyeon-Jong Yang Designated For Assignment Thursday

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Hyeon-Jong Yang was designated for assignment on Thursday to make room on the roster for newly acquired pitcher Dennis Santana, according to Rangers executive vice president of communications John Blake. Yang has struggled on the mound in his first year in MLB, going 0-3 with a 5.59 ERA and a 15 […]

Dennis Santana Traded To Rangers On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Dennis Santana was traded to the Texas Rangers on Thursday for pitcher Kelvin Bautista, according to Rangers executive vice president of communications John Blake. Santana has not been particularly impressive early in his major league career, but he has struggled quite a bit this year as he owns a 6.00 […]

Garrett Cleavinger Activated From IL Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Garrett Cleavinger (forearm) was activated from the injured list on Thursday, according to Juan Toribio of MLB.com. Cleavinger had made eight appearances this season before being sidelined with left forearm inflammation, allowing six runs — three earned — on eight hits and four walks while striking out nine over six […]

Collin McHugh Activated Off COVID-19 List

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Collin McHugh has been activated off the COVID-19 injured list on Thursday. The veteran reliever was feeling sick on Wednesday and was placed on the COVID-19 list as a precaution. It sounds like he is feeling better now and will return for Thursday's matchup against the Seattle Mariners. McHugh has […]

Emmanuel Clase Records 11th Save

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase recorded his 11th save Wednesday night by throwing a perfect ninth inning with one strikeout in the Tribe's 8-7 win over the Baltimore Orioles. Clase has now locked down back-to-back saves for the Indians, but is likely still in a timeshare with James Karinchak at this point. Although Clase […]

Jose Alvarado Whiffs Four Across Two Innings Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado pitched two perfect innings with four strikeouts to earn a hold versus the Dodgers on Wednesday. Man, is it tough to not add Alvarado after an outing like this. He threw 18 of 22 pitches for strikes while pumping 100 MPH sinkers in another tease of how good he […]

Caleb Thielbar Picks Up First Win

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Caleb Thielbar picked up his first win of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Seattle Mariners. Thielbar was quite effective in his first appearance since being activated off the injured list, as he pitched two scoreless frames while fanning four batters. The veteran righty improved his season ERA to 4.30, […]

Michael Fulmer Earns His Fifth Save Despite Shaky Inning

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Michael Fulmer had a tough time closing out Wednesday's win against the Kansas City Royals. He entered the game in the ninth inning while the Tigers had a 6-3 lead and went on to give up three hits, no walks and two earned runs while striking out one. Despite his struggles, […]

Hector Neris Slams Door On Dodgers For 10th Save

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris pitched a clean ninth inning to earn his 10th save of the season Wednesday night in Los Angeles. Neris needed just 10 pitches to preserve a 2-0 win for the visitors in his first outing since manager Joe Girardi gave Neris a vote of confidence as the team's closer. […]

Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets for Week 12

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, […]

Edwin Diaz Picks Up 14th Save On Wednesday

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz picked up a one-out save on Wednesday preserving the Mets 6-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. Diaz needed just four pitches to convert his 14th save of the season after reliever Drew Smith made things interesting in the top of the ninth inning which began with the Mets […]

Adam Ottavino Collects Fourth Save

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Adam Ottavino collected his fourth save of the year Wednesday, allowing one run on two hits to the Atlanta Braves in a 10-8 victory. Ottavino was filling in for closer Matt Barnes, who had pitched several days in a row. Ottavino is not going to get many save chances, but […]

Cristian Javier Strikes Out Two In Two Innings Of Relief

Houston Astros relief pitcher Cristian Javier allowed one run on one hit and one walk while striking out two over two innings of work in an 8-4 win over the Rangers on Wednesday night. He's now posted a 2.77 ERA over 13 innings of work since being bumped to the bullpen, and has recorded a […]

Rafael Dolis Leaves With No Sensation In His Hand

Blue Jays reliever Rafael Dolis (hand) left Wednesday's game with an apparent injury. Manager Charlie Montoyo noted Dolis dealt with "no sensation in his hand" and wasn't able to feel the ball. Dolis left Wednesday's game after only four pitches with one walk. Granted, it's a small sample of four pitches, but the velocity on his […]

Aroldis Chapman Works Out Of Jam To Earn 14th Save

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman made the fans sweat a bit but worked out of a self-created jam to notch his 14th save of the year Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays. Chapman allowed back-to-back hits to the heart of the Toronto order to start the ninth, then got a strikeout, groundout, and […]

Tejay Antone Could Return This Weekend

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tejay Antone (forearm) could return for this weekend's series against the Padres. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with right forearm inflammation on June 10. Antone is eligible to return from the IL on Friday. "I'm still hopeful that he comes back while we're in San Diego," Reds manager Dave […]

Carlos Estevez Blows The Save But Gets The Win

Colorado Rockies right-hander Carlos Estevez blew the save on Wednesday when he allowed an unearned run on two walks but was credited with the win in an 8-7 victory over the San Diego Padres. Daniel Bard was unavailable on Wednesday so Estevez was sent in to protect a 7-6 lead in the ninth inning. He […]

Miguel Castro Available Out Of The 'Pen On Wednesday

New York Mets right-handed relief pitcher Miguel Castro (neck) is available out of the bullpen on Wednesday, according to manager Luis Rojas. Castro had been unavailable the past two games due to neck stiffness, which has now improved. The Mets bullpen has been taxed the past few games, so Castro's return should help preserve some […]