Josh James Won’t Be Cleared For Opening Day

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Josh James (undisclosed) is nearing a return to the mound, albeit one that will not have him set in time to take the hill for April 1. James had a recent "physical setback" in his recovery and has not yet appeared in a Grapefruit League contest. After an odd statistical campaign […]

Brusdar Graterol Tosses Bullpen Session Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol (undisclosed) has been brought along slowly during Cactus League play in 2021, but he was able to throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, his latest step in a return to the mound. There were once injury concerns around Graterol's elbow that scuttled a trade involving Boston and Minnesota, […]

Anthony Bender Continues His Perfect Spring

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Anthony Bender pitched another scoreless inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Bender was credited with the win after pitching a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and a ground out. He has a perfect 0.00 ERA and has yet to allow a base runner in his […]

Felix Pena Will Miss 2-4 Weeks With Groin Strain

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Felix Pena (groin) will be sidelined for the next two to four weeks due to a strained right groin that he sustained during Cactus League play Monday. Pena was in competition for a multi-inning relief role with the Halos during camp, with his injury all but assuring that he'll begin […]

Anthony Bass Gives Up Two Runs On Wednesday

Miami Marlins expected closer Anthony Bass had a rough outing in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Bass pitched the seventh inning, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one. Bass is ticketed for the closer's role according to Marlins manager Don Mattingly, but he will have […]

Adam Cimber Throws Another Scoreless Inning On Wednesday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Adam Cimber contributed another scoreless inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Cimber pitched the sixth inning and retired the side in order. He's sporting a 1.80 ERA in the spring and should pitch significant innings for the Marlins in the regular season. He won't close so […]

Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims Toss Live Sessions Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds relievers Amir Garrett (forearm) and Lucas Sims (elbow) are among those competing for the club's closer gig during spring camp. Both have been eased into the 2021 year, with neither having yet taken the mound for Cactus League action due to respective injuries. On Wednesday, they worked live batting practice sessions, furthering their […]

Thomas Hatch Leaves Start With Injury

Toronto Blue Jays starter Thomas Hatch (elbow, forearm) yelped while delivering his final pitch of the game on Wednesday — a 94 mph fastball. The young pitcher walked off the mound and called to the dugout for assistance. He was seen flexing his fingers and favoring his elbow/forearm area. The Blue Jays released a statement advising […]

Roenis Elias Out For The Year

Seattle Mariners reliever Roenis Elias (elbow, forearm) will undergo Tommy John surgery, knocking him out of the bullpen mix for the entire 2021 season. The Mariners have approached Elias' representatives about a two-year minor league contract, so that he can rehabilitate with the organization this year and compete for a bullpen spot in 2022. Needless […]

Pierce Johnson Exits With Groin Tightness

San Diego Padres reliever Pierce Johnson (groin) exited Tuesday's outing early with groin tightness. Expected to be a key middle reliever for the Friars, Johnson landed awkwardly after a delivery and will be reevaluated Wednesday. After a stint in Japan, the 29-year-old enjoyed a resurgent 2020 campaign, posting a 2.70 ERA and 34 percent strikeout […]

Sam Chinitz's 10 Bold Predictions For 2021

The 2021 MLB regular season is less than one month away, so it’s time for some bold predictions. Last year’s bold predictions didn’t pan out too well for me; if we’re being generous, two out of the ten predictions hit -- and that’s including Corey Kluber posting a sub-3.00 ERA (which technically happened, even if […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/17) - Jorge Polanco Leaves Game

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

Starter Prospects that Could be Impact Relievers in 2021

In many ways, Major League Baseball is getting back to normal in 2021. Most importantly for sports fans and fantasy baseball fanatics, this means that the season will be 162 games after experiencing a stunted 2020 season. However, the sudden spike back to 162 games from 60 contests creates headaches for MLB managers. Lance Lynn […]

Dellin Betances' Velocity Down Again

New York Mets right-handed reliever Dellin Betances showed a decline in velocity on Tuesday in Grapefruit League action, an issue that has plagued him since spring training in 2020. Betances' four-seam fastball only averaged 90.6 mph on Tuesday, which was down a couple of mph from earlier this spring. Betances fastball unimpressively sat between 89-92 […]

Charlie Montoyo's 2022 Option Picked Up By Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up manager Charlie Montoyo's 2022 option on Wednesday. The move gives the club some stability for at least the next two years. The decision should be welcomed by fantasy managers as Montoyo has pushed versatility among his players which has increased the fantasy value of players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. […]

Matt Andriese Throws Four Scoreless Innings Of Relief

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Andriese continued to throw the ball well this spring, throwing four scoreless innings in a long-relief appearance against the Braves. Andriese originally came up as a starter with the Rays but has been effective since switching to the bullpen, posting a 3.00 K/BB ratio and a sub-4.00 FIP over the […]

Hunter Harvey Placed On 60-Day Injured List Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Hunter Harvey (oblique) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Tuesday due to a strained left oblique. Per general manager Mike Elias, Hunter experienced "a pretty large strain in the oblique." The move corresponded with clearing a roster spot for newly signed third baseman Maikel Franco. The 26-year-old has experienced multiple injuries […]

Chasen Bradford Signs Minor-League Deal With Braves

The Atlanta Braves signed reliever Chasen Bradford to a minor-league deal on Tuesday, according to Jeff Passan. The 31-year-old missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery. Bradford last pitched with the Seattle Mariners in 2019. He owns a 3.89 ERA and 6.6 K/9 through 104 innings in his MLB career. Bradford bolsters […]

Roenis Elias Will Undergo Surgery

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Roenis Elias (elbow, forearm) will undergo arm surgery. Further details are not yet known, but it now seems as though Elias will not factor into the bullpen mix for at least the start of the season, if not much longer. Elias left Thursday's game after only a single batter, cutting short […]

A.J. Puk Will Pitch In Spring Training Game Wednesday

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher A.J. Puk (shoulder) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday, according to manager Bob Melvin. The 25-year-old lefty was once a top prospect in the A's system, but a myriad of injuries have derailed the early portion of his career. Puk missed the 2018 season after undergoing Tommy John […]

Trevor Rosenthal Scheduled To Pitch Wednesday

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (groin) is yet to appear in Cactus League action with his new team, but he's been throwing bullpen sessions and manager Bob Melvin said he is scheduled to pitch in Wednesday's game. Rosenthal is the presumed closer for the A's after signing a one-year deal in Oakland this offseason. […]

Matt Barnes Throws A Strong Inning Of Relief

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes had another strong outing on Monday, striking out two in a scoreless inning of relief. Barnes has yet to allow a run in three scoreless outings this spring, making a strong case for the closer's role. His competition for the spot, Adam Ottavino, has also pitched well this spring, […]

Hirokazu Sawamura Struggles Monday

New Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura had a rough outing on Monday, walking three and failing to finish his only inning of relief in Grapefruit League action. Sawamura, who came over from Japan this offseason, impressed scouts and fans alike with his upper-90s fastball and mid-90s splitter, but outings like this could quickly lose […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/16) - Luis Robert Scratched Monday

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

Fantasy Baseball Spring Training Injury Updates

Injury updates tend to change often during Spring Training. "Soreness" is a common theme as players get back into game shape. I will be giving the most recent available injury updates from the offseason. These updates will undoubtedly change as Spring Training continues. As we get closer to Opening Day, some injuries are much more […]

Shane McClanahan Has Struck Out Seven Straight

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Shane McClanahan struck out the side on Monday against the Boston Red Sox. What's more impressive is that he's now whiffed seven straight batters going back to his first appearance on March 3. The southpaw is traditionally a starting pitcher but all three of his appearances this spring have been one-inning […]

Michael Lorenzen Strikes Out Three On Monday

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen allowed two runs over 3 2/3 innings of work in a 7-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels in Cactus League action on Monday. Lorenzen struck out three and walked one while giving up two homers, both to Shohei Ohtani. The veteran right-hander now has a 9.39 ERA and seven […]

Matt Harvey Turns In Decent Start Monday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Matt Harvey showed some positive signs in Monday's 12-3 win over the Pirates, allowing two runs on five hits and no walks with four strikeouts over four innings pitched. Harvey allowed a home run to Ke'Bryan Hayes in the first inning, but was able to get things relatively under control for the […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Pitch Info

One of the most fundamental questions in fantasy sports is if a player's current performance is sustainable. More than any other sport, baseball has a slew of statistical measures that can be dissected in numerous ways to analyze player performance. Pitch Info is a publicly-available pitch tracking system that provides a lot of different data to […]

John Gant Works Into The Fifth Inning On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher John Gant got the start in Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Washington Nationals. Gant tossed 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks, striking out three. Gant's spring ERA of 5.79 isn't anything to be excited about, but he seems ticketed for the starting rotation […]