Anderson Espinoza Progressing After Elbow Surgeries

San Diego Padres pitcher Anderson Espinoza (elbow) threw a simulated game last week, continuing his road to recovery. The 22-year-old former top prospect hasn't pitched since 2016 after he needed two Tommy John surgeries. Espinoza should be healthy following his 2019 procedure and forecasts as a bullpen weapon for the Friars if he shines in the […]

Jordan Hicks Hits 102 On Monday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks reportedly reached 102 mph with his fastball on Monday, according to Cardinals pitching coach Mike Maddux. Hicks missed most of 2019 due to an elbow injury that required Tommy John Surgery, then opted out of the shortened 2020 season. Hicks may not start the season as the closer, […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/2): Glasnow Struggles, Taillon and Chapman Return

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. […]

Seth Romero Being Stretched Out In Camp

Washington Nationals left-hander Seth Romero, the team's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, will throw a live batting practice session on Tuesday. The goal is for Romero to get stretched out as a potential starter this spring, but he could also be used as a multi-inning reliever, if needed. The 24-year-old made his major league […]

Gregory Soto Struggles In First Spring Outing

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Gregory Soto made his first spring appearance on Monday against the New York Yankees. He entered the game in the third inning and managed to record just two outs as he gave up a walk and two hits, including a Gary Sanchez home run. Soto is one of the leading candidates […]

Matt Barnes, Adam Ottavino The Top Closing Candidates

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora admitted that his thoughts on closing out games has shifted to a more traditional approach from what it was a few years ago. Relievers Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino are the top candidates to serve as the closer, and Cora would like to have a set closer by Opening […]

Anthony Bass Throws A Scoreless Inning On Monday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Anthony Bass contributed a scoreless inning to the Marlins seven-inning shutout win on Monday. Bass pitched the third inning of the game, allowing a hit and a walk in the process. Bass has not yet been officially named the closer, but manager Don Mattingly has shown an inability to figure out […]

Austin Gomber Fires Two Scoreless Innings In Rockies Debut

Colorado Rockies pitcher Austin Gomber pitched two scoreless innings in Sunday's spring training start against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Gomber was making his Rockies debut after coming over from St. Louis in the Nolan Arenado trade earlier this offseason. He was solid over his two frames, allowing one hit with a strikeout. The 27-year-old left-hander pitched […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - March 1st

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  We've finally made it to (real?) baseball games. […]

Giovanny Gallegos Strikes Out Two In His Spring Debut

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos pitched a perfect inning in Sunday's Grapefruit League Opening Day, striking out two. Gallegos threw 12 pitches, eight for strikes in a dominant inning as the Cardinals and Nationals played to a 4-4 tie. Gallegos has been excellent over the past two seasons, combining for a 2.53 ERA, […]

Rafael Montero The Clear Favorite For Saves

Seattle Mariners reliever Rafael Montero has the inside track on the closer job for 2021. The right-hander was acquired from the Texas Rangers over the winter, and despite a late arrival to spring training, he has already made a strong impression on manager Scott Servais. Servais complimented Montero's attitude and approach, noting how well the […]

Will Vest Impresses In First Spring Outing

Seattle Mariners reliever Will Vest made a strong impression in his first game action of the spring, setting down three Padres in order, including two strikeouts. Vest, added as a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers system in December, is a candidate for a remade Seattle bullpen. The right-hander has big strikeout potential, sporting a […]

Daniel Castano Throws Two Innings On Sunday

Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Daniel Castano got the start and tossed two innings in the first Marlins Grapefruit League game on Sunday afternoon. In Castano's two innings, he allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out one. Castano got solid results in the short 2020 season, posting a 3.03 ERA, but […]

Carlos Estevez Affected By Hand Injury Last Year

Colorado Rockies reliever Carlos Estevez told reporters on Friday that the comebacker he took off his hand in mid-August really impacted the command of his pitches, especially his slider. The loss of command led to Estevez's poor finish down the stretch in 2020. The right-hander registered a 3.37 ERA and allowed just one home run […]

Brad Hand Likely The Nationals Closer

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Brad Hand will be the Nationals closer "in a perfect world," according to manager Dave Martinez. Hand previously held the closing gig in San Diego and Cleveland from 2017-20, so this news should be no surprise. Although his xFIP has increased in all three most recent seasons, it has remained solid, […]

Angels Add Jesse Chavez To Bullpen Mix

The Los Angeles Angels signed free-agent relief pitcher Jesse Chavez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training on Friday. The 37-year-old veteran posted a 5.35 ERA for the Angels back in 2017 and has spent the last two seasons with the Texas Rangers, recording a 6.88 ERA in 17 innings in […]

Ryan Tepera Returns To Cubs

The Chicago Cubs re-signed relief pitcher Ryan Tepera to an undisclosed major league deal on Friday. According to NBC Sports Chicago's Gordon Wittenmyer, Tepera is guaranteed $800,000 and can make an extra $800,000 in performance incentives and $150,000 via active-roster bonuses. The 33-year-old right-hander posted a 3.92 ERA (3.51 SIERA, 3.34 FIP) with a career-high […]

Brian Snitker Signs Extension Through 2023 Season

The Atlanta Braves signed manager Brian Snitker to a contract extension on Friday that will take him through the 2023 season. The deal includes a club option for the 2024 season. It's well-deserved, as Snitker has managed the team to three straight National League East division titles after they won just on division crown from […]

Breakout Pitchers and Late-Round Draft Targets: WPC+

Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut identify pitchers who could break out in 2021. Target these pitchers late in fantasy baseball drafts! Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and BlogTalkRadio as well! Be sure to also tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius […]

Emmanuel Clase (RP, CLE) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 400 CURRENT ADP: ~447 overall ANALYSIS: A suspension wiped out his 2020 season but it only serves to make him an even better value in 2021. With Brad Hand gone, there's a good chance Clase gets at least a handful of saves even if he doesn't win the job outright. The question is […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 25th

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We've at least made it through the first […]

Emmanuel Clase (RP, CLE) - 2021 Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleepers

The Cleveland Indians finished the shortened 2020 season 10 games above .500 and earned a Wild Card spot out of the A.L. Central. They had this success despite key players like Francisco Lindor and Oscar Mercado not performing up to expectations. They also had success despite losing one of their key bullpen arms in Emmanuel […]

Taylor Rogers Not Demoted Yet Despite Additions To Bullpen

Minnesota Twins reliever Taylor Rogers hasn't been demoted from his ninth-inning role yet despite the additions of two late-inning arms this offseason. Rogers had the worst ERA of his six-year career in the shortened 2020 season, surrendering 11.7 hits per nine innings, though the Twins believe it was an outlier year for the 30-year-old. "We […]

Freddy Peralta Getting Stretched Out In Camp

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Freddy Peralta will be stretched out during spring training as the Brewers prepare to have him handle a larger innings load in 2021, Will Sammon of The Athletic reports. While manager Craig Counsell didn't suggest that Peralta will be fighting for a spot in Milwaukee's rotation, the team seemingly wants to maximize […]

Dellin Betances Feels Much Better This Spring

New York Mets right-handed reliever Dellin Betances said on Wednesday that he feels significantly better than he did last spring. Betances indicated that he was able to have a regular off-season which allowed him to work on his pitching and health. Betances is coming off a forgettable 2020 campaign that saw significant declines in his […]

Scott Kazmir, Giants Reach Minor League Deal Tuesday

The San Francisco Giants and veteran left-handed pitcher Scott Kazmir have agreed to a Minor League deal with an invitation to big league camp, per ESPN's Buster Olney. The 37-year-old has not pitched since 2016, but reportedly threw up to 93 MPH in his latest bullpen session. Kazmir owns a career 4.01 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, […]

Hansel Robles Impresses At Twins Camp

Minnesota Twins reliever Hansel Robles impressed in his first action at Twins camp. Robles threw live batting practice on Monday at a group that included new teammates Luis Arraez and Jorge Polanco and immediately impressed his new manager Rocco Baldelli- who spoke about Robles' unique mix of delivery and arm action. The 30-year-old had a […]

Edwin Diaz Preparing For Closer Role

On Tuesday, New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz stated that his preparation and mindset for the 2021 season is to be the team's closer. After a shaky 2019, Diaz put together an incredible 2020 campaign. While his overall 2020 save total of six was low, and he did lose the role for a brief […]

RotoBaller Mock Draft Review - Biggest Draft Value Picks

Welcome back RotoBallers! Today we're looking at some of the best value picks from our recent RotoBaller staff mock draft. You can also read about everyone's biggest draft reaches and regrets. As we steamroll into fantasy baseball draft season, the team here at RotoBaller continues to practice what we preach by partaking in mock drafts. […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook - February 23rd

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. I began this column a year ago, and made it about four or five articles in when Major League Baseball decided to shut things down, just like everything else around the globe, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We've at least made it through the first […]