Can Aroldis Chapman Maintain His Improved Walk Rate in 2026?

Boston Red Sox closer Aroldis Chapman was utterly dominant in 2025, recording five wins, 32 saves, and 85 strikeouts across 61 1/3 innings while pitching to a 1.17 ERA and a 0.70 WHIP. Chapman has always been an excellent source of strikeouts, and he delivered with a 37.3% strikeout rate last year. The more surprising […]

Can Ryan Helsley Bounce Back in Baltimore?

Baltimore Orioles reliever Ryan Helsley is looking for a bounce-back campaign after posting disappointing results in 2025. Splitting time with the Cardinals and Mets last year, Helsley posted a 4.14 FIP with 10.13 K/9 and 4.02 BB/9 across 56 innings. While these weren't terrible numbers, it was still a subpar year relative to Helsley's standards, […]

Hayden Birdsong Diagnosed with Grade 2 Forearm Strain and UCL Sprain

San Francisco Giants right-handed pitcher Hayden Birdsong (forearm) has been diagnosed with a Grade 2 forearm strain and UCL sprain, according to an announcement from the organization that was relayed by Alex Pavlovic of NBC Sports Bay Area. Birdsong will meet with Dr. Keith Meister for a second opinion later this week, but the initial […]

Ryan Walker Could Be an Undervalued Source of Saves Heading into 2026

After notching 10 saves and a 1.91 ERA across 76 appearances in 2024, San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Ryan Walker entered 2025 as the team's primary ninth-inning option. While Walker collected 17 more saves in 2025, he struggled to a 4.11 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, and eventually lost his job to emergent Giants right-hander […]

Cade Smith hasn't Allowed a Run in Spring Training

Cleveland Guardians right-handed reliever Cade Smith threw another scoreless inning in his Cactus League outing on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers and has not allowed a run or a hit with no walks and four strikeouts in his three innings of work in spring training. Smith needed just seven pitches to retire the side in […]

Fantasy Baseball All-Value Team: Favorite Value Picks at Every Position (2026)

While preparing for a fantasy baseball draft, it can be easy to get caught up in what to do in the early rounds. Internal debates might range from individual players (“Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge?”) to draft strategy (“Grab an ace early, or focus on hitting?”) to the borderline philosophical (“Is it OK to draft […]

5 Fantasy Baseball Breakout Hitters and Pitchers - American League Edition (2026)

Everyone is looking for the next breakout. Last season, several budding stars took the American League by storm as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz and Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero both were league-winning assets. In this piece, we will look to spotlight the next American League breakouts. However, we will look to avoid […]

Later-Round Closers: Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers, Values - Cheap Relievers With Upside

Today at RotoBaller we wrap up our late-round fantasy baseball values and sleepers series and review five relief pitchers/closers for fantasy managers who never pay for saves, or are looking for that late-round bargain reliever. Below, you will find our 2026 outlooks and analysis on five later-round closers and relievers fantasy baseball sleepers and values. […]

Reid Detmers Could Lead Angels in Saves?

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers appeared to have finally turned a corner when he became a full-time reliever last season. According to Jeff Passan, he wouldn't be shocked if Detmers leads the Angels in saves in 2026. Detmers was a struggling starter for the first four years of his career before shifting to the […]

Orion Kerkering Could Make Spring Debut on Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) threw a successful live batting practice session on Tuesday. Afterwards, Kerkering told reporters he expects to pitch in Tuesday's Grapefruit contest against the Minnesota Twins. Kerkering has been held out of game action this spring while dealing with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The right-hander is hopeful to […]

Mike Vasil Exits with a Trainer on Saturday

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Mike Vasil (elbow) exited with a trainer during the middle of his Cactus League start against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Saturday. According to an announcement from the team, Vasil is experiencing right elbow soreness and will undergo additional evaluation. At the time of his departure, he had gone 3.2 […]

Sean Newcomb to Open 2026 Season in Bullpen

Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb will open the regular season in the bullpen, manager Will Venable told Kyle Williams of The Chicago Sun-Times. Newcomb has produced mixed results this spring. His 9.00 K/9, 2.45 BB/9, and 47.2% ground ball rate are impressive, but the same can't be said about his 1.64 HR/9 and 5.11 […]

Fantasy Baseball Starting Pitchers With RP Eligibility: Yahoo Position Eligibility

There is a real advantage in finding starting pitchers with relief pitcher eligibility in fantasy baseball leagues. Sometimes, it can even be considered a cheat code. A few years ago, Cole Ragans had both SP/RP eligibility in Yahoo leagues. Ragans then had a 3.14 ERA and 223 strikeouts in a breakout campaign in 2024. In […]

Edwin Uceta Throws Bullpen on Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed reliever Edwin Uceta (shoulder) threw a bullpen session in camp on Saturday morning, the first time he has thrown off a mound since receiving a cortisone shot for shoulder inflammation in mid-February, according to John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays haven't officially ruled Uceta out for Opening Day […]

"Concern of Further Damage" to Robert Stephenson's UCL

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (shoulder, elbow) said there is "concern of further damage to his UCL," per Jeff Fletcher of the Southern California News Group. Fletcher reports that Stephenson is meeting with renowned specialist Dr. Keith Meister in hopes of "finding a solution that would allow him to pitch this year." It's […]

Jeff Hoffman Joins USA Roster, Replacing Clayton Kershaw in WBC

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Jeff Hoffman has been added to the United States of America's roster for the World Baseball Classic, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. He will join the team for the semifinals in Miami, replacing now-retired pitcher Clayton Kershaw. Now 33 years old, Hoffman has been an effective bullpen arm late […]

Hunter Gaddis Throws a Bullpen Session on Thursday

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Hunter Gaddis (forearm) threw a 15-pitch bullpen session on Thursday as he recovers from right forearm tightness. Gaddis hasn't appeared in a spring training game since February 27, and it's unclear whether he'll be able to face opposing batters again before Cactus League action concludes. The Guardians will certainly be smart […]

9 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Andy Smith's 2026 Picks

Welcome back, RotoBallers, to another edition of our team's bold predictions series. While I spend most of my offseason doing deep analytics dives to find the next breakouts and potential busts, this piece is where I get to take things slightly off the rails. While my nine bold predictions will be "bold," as the name […]

Top 200 Fantasy Baseball Dynasty Rankings - Eric Cross' March 2026 Update

March is the best month of the year. Not only are we days away from the start of the major league season, but we also have the World Baseball Classic going on, which has been a phenomenal tournament so far. With the season quickly approaching, we've already experienced some player movement, both positively and negatively, […]

Red Sox Sign Reliever Danny Coulombe to One-Year Deal

The Boston Red Sox signed free-agent left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe to an undisclosed one-year deal on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Red Sox placed infielder Romy Gonzalez (shoulder) on the 60-day injured list after he had left-shoulder surgery. The 36-year-old Coulombe was originally a 25th-round draft pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2012 […]

Rangers Add Lefty Jalen Beeks for Bullpen Depth

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent left-handed reliever Jalen Beeks to a one-year deal worth $1.6 million on Friday. In a corresponding move, the Rangers designated right-handed reliever Alexis Diaz for assignment. Diaz, who was an All-Star closer for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023, had an 8.15 ERA in 18 relief appearances with the Reds, Los […]

Can Robert Garcia Take Over the Full-Time Closer Role in Texas?

Across 64 innings in 2025, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Robert Garcia pitched to a 4-8 record with a 2.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and nine saves. The 29-year-old left-hander owns a solid 27.2% strikeout rate for his career with a manageable 7.7% walk rate to boot. Garcia ended 2025 tied for the Rangers' team […]

Rangers Designate Alexis Diaz for Assignment

The Texas Rangers have designated relief pitcher Alexis Diaz for assignment, per Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Diaz served as the primary closer for the Cincinnati Reds in 2023 and 2024, collecting 65 total saves and 141 strikeouts across 123 2/3 innings. However, the right-hander struggled mightily in 2025, posting an 8.15 ERA across 17 2/3 […]

Abner Uribe to Take Over the Closer Job in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Abner Uribe is competing to be the team's primary closer in 2026. While that role belonged to Trevor Megill last season, Uribe has simply been the stronger bullpen arm and offers tremendous upside in save scenarios. Uribe finished 2025 with a 1.67 ERA, 10.75 K/9, and 3.23 BB/9 over 75 games (75.1 […]

Kirby Yates a Sleeper Candidate for Late-Round Saves

Los Angeles Angels reliever Kirby Yates should have an opportunity to earn saves in the Halos' wide-open bullpen this season. Yates inked a deal with the Angels during the offseason after a successful season in the Dodgers' bullpen. Through 50 appearances (41.1 innings) in 2025, he posted 11.32 K/9, 3.70 BB/9, and 1.96 HR/9. That […]

Kevin Ginkel the Early Favorite for Saves in Arizona?

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Kevin Ginkel hasn't previously been a full-time closer, but he could be the early favorite to earn save opportunities during the 2026 season. His primary competition at this point is veteran reliever Paul Sewald, who was the Snakes' closer in 2023 and 2024 but then struggled while splitting time with the Guardians […]

Bryan Hoeing to Miss Entire 2026 Season

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Bryan Hoeing (elbow) is expected to undergo surgery and miss the entire 2026 season. Hoeing has elected to undergo flexor tendon surgery, which will end his 2026 campaign before it begins. The right-hander was working through right elbow discomfort that began to bother him early in camp. After seeking multiple […]

Can Alexis Diaz Emerge as the Primary Closer in Texas?

Across 131 appearances for the Cincinnati Reds between 2023 and 2024, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Alexis Diaz racked up 65 saves and 141 strikeouts. However, things came unraveled for the 29-year-old in 2025. Across 17 2/3 innings split between the Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Atlanta Braves, Diaz pitched to an 8.15 ERA and 1.53 […]

7 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Joey Pollizze's 2026 Picks

Every season, there are things in baseball that many people don't see coming. Last year, Cal Raleigh hit the most home runs by a catcher in major league Baseball history, Josh Naylor stole 30 bases despite having a bottom 5% sprint speed, and Pete Crow-Armstrong had a 30-home run, 30-stolen base season. Last year, Crow-Armstrong […]

Daniel Palencia a Great Breakout Option at Closer

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Daniel Palencia is one of the best closer options to grab once the elite options are off the board, since the 26-year-old is locked in as the team's primary closer and has lots of breakout potential. Palencia had 22 saves in 54 games last year and posted an impressive 2.91 ERA, […]