Jose Urquidy's Role Remains Unclear

Houston Astros pitcher Jose Urquidy (undisclosed) was scheduled to throw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Wednesday afternoon. According to team manager Dusty Baker, Urquidy's timeline to return from injury depends on the role he is going to serve with the team. The assumption is that he will return as a starter given the current lack […]

Joe Kelly's Suspension Reduced To Five Games

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Joe Kelly has had his suspension reduced from eight to five games following his appeal. This suspension stems from an incident with the Houston Astros back on July 28. The 32-year-old is currently sidelined with shoulder inflammation, so he will have to serve his time once he is back healthy. Kelly […]

Aroldis Chapman Set To Face Hitters Again, Recall On Horizon

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is set to face live hitters either Thursday or Friday, his last warmup session before being activated to the Major League roster. Chapman has yet to debut in 2020 after a positive COVID-19 test earlier in the summer. Zack Britton has primarily served as the club’s closer in Chapman’s […]

Alex Colome Secures Fifth Save

Chicago White Sox closer Alex Colome picked up his fifth save of the season on Wednesday versus the Detroit Tigers. Colome threw a perfect ninth inning for the save and has yet to allow a run in eight games. Colome is entrenched in the closer’s role with the White Sox and should be owned in […]

Will Harris On Track To Be Activated Thursday

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Will Harris (groin) is progressing toward being activated from the injured list for the club’s contest Thursday against the Mets. Manager Davey Martinez confirmed before Wednesday’s game so long as Harris was feeling strong Thursday, he would join the team’s bullpen. Inked to a $24 million deal during the off-season to […]

Robert Gsellman Named Starter for Mets on Wednesday

New York Mets relief pitcher Robert Gsellman was named the starter for the Mets on Wednesday when they face the Nationals. With the season ending injury to Noah Syndergaard (elbow), Michael Wacha (shoulder) on the injured list, and Marcus Stroman opting out for the 2020 season, the Mets are shorthanded in the rotation. The intent […]

Keone Kela To Be Activated On Thursday

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Keone Kela (COVID-19) will be activated off of the injured list before Thursday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. The 27-year-old missed the first three weeks of the 2020 season due to a positive COVID-19 test. Kela is expected to take over the closer's role upon his return, which instantly boosts his fantasy […]

Andrew Kittredge Headed to 45-Day Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Andrew Kittredge has been diagnosed with a UCL sprain and was placed on the 45-day injured list on Wednesday afternoon. The 30-year-old left Tuesday's game in the first inning with discomfort in his throwing arm. Unfortunately, this type of injury is synonymous with Tommy John surgery, but it is unclear at […]

Nick Burdi Undergoing Plasma Treatment

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Nick Burdi is opting to undergo a platelet-rich plasma treatment on his right forearm to avoid having surgery, according to Jason Mackey of Post-Gazette Sports. Even if the procedure goes well, Burdi's 2020 season is still over. Keone Kela (COVID-19) will likely take over the team's closing role once he is activated […]

No New Positive Tests For The Cardinals

The latest round of COVID-19 testing for the St. Louis Cardinals has reportedly not turned up any new positive results. The Cardinals have not played sine July 29th due to their COVID outbreak, but it looks like their weekend series against the Chicago White Sox might actually happen. The Cardinals are just 2-3 and will […]

Josh Hader Strikes Out Three In Save

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader walked one and struck out three in a scoreless ninth inning Tuesday to record his third save of the season in a 6-4 win over the Twins. The southpaw had been merely good through his first three appearances of 2020 but Hader looked more like his overpowering self in this […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 12th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss topics […]

Hot Prospects To Watch: Next In Line and Hot Starters

Perhaps there's nothing more tantalizing in fantasy baseball than drafting an up-and-coming prospect or rushing to the waiver wire to bid on a Triple-A call-up. With no minor leagues this year, our favorite prospects are now playing on taxi squads, making it difficult for us to fantasize about since we can't get eyes on their […]

Tony Gonsolin Starting On Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin will be called up to start Wednesday's game against the San Diego Padres. His appearance will push Julio Urias's next start back to Thursday. Gonsolin was stellar back on July 31 during his first spot start of the season, giving up just one hit across four scoreless innings against […]

Taylor Rogers Saddled With The Loss Tuesday

Minnesota Twins closer Taylor Rogers worked in a non-save situation on Tuesday against the Brewers and picked up his second loss of the season. Rogers surrendered two runs on a home run to Jedd Gyorko and now has a bloated 5.68 ERA, despite how sharp he's looked for the majority of his appearances. This performance […]

Tyler Clippard Works As Bullpen Opener Again

Minnesota Twins reliever Tyler Clippard worked as the opener in a bullpen game for the second time this season. Clippard struck out two but gave up a home run in one inning of work and was then replaced by fellow reliever Cody Stashak, who struck out three. Clippard has been solid this year, with a […]

Hector Neris Blows First Save Of 2020

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris blew his first save of the season Tuesday in a 10-9 loss to the Orioles. Neris allowed three earned runs, three hits, two walks and struck out two. Neris allowed a game-tying single to Renato Nunez to blow the save, but he should have been out of the inning […]

Rafael Montero Grabs Third Save Of Season

Texas Rangers reliever Rafael Montero entered a 4-2 ball game in the top of the ninth and shut the door on the Seattle Mariners to pick up the save. It is Montero's third save of the season, and it looks like he is now the go-to option for the closer role in Texas. On Tuesday […]

Cole Sulser Blows Save, Earns Win Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cole Sulser blew his second save of the season in Tuesday's extra-innings 10-9 win over the Phillies. Sulser came in to start the ninth inning up 8-6. Sulser got the first two outs, but then allowed a single, two walks, and a two-run single before getting the third out on a […]

Anthony Bass Blows Save Versus Marlins

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass suffered his first blown save of the season during Tuesday’s contest versus the Marlins. The right-hander issued a double and a free pass before allowing a three-run homer to Francisco Cervelli to tie the game and send it to extras. It was the first earned runs on the season […]

Zach Britton Gets His Sixth Save

New York Yankees reliever Zach Britton picked up his league-leading sixth save of the season on Tuesday with a clean inning against the Braves. Britton has now allowed only one run over his seven appearances so far this season, and he’s looked dominant as the primary closer for the Yankees. Unfortunately for fantasy owners who […]

Andrew Kittredge Leaves Tuesday With Arm Discomfort

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Andrew Kittredge left Tuesday's game early due to discomfort in his right arm. John Curtiss came into the game as a replacement. Kittredge was serving as the team's opener for the contest, but he only lasted five pitches before leaving the game. The 30-year-old did pitch on Monday night, so perhaps […]

Keone Kela Throws Another Bullpen Session Tuesday

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Keone Kela (COVID-19) tossed another bullpen session on Tuesday as he continues to recover from the virus. Kela is close to activation, as he has already thrown a couple of bullpen sessions this week. The 27-year-old will likely return to his role as the Pirates' closer once he comes off of the […]

Nick Pivetta Demoted To Alternate Training Site

Philadelphia Phillies right-handed pitcher Nick Pivetta has been optioned off of the club’s 28-man roster, paving the way for righty relievers Connor Brogdon and Blake Parker to join the bullpen. Pivetta, who made 71 starts for Philadelphia over the past three seasons, has scuffled during his time in the bullpen. In 21 career relief appearances, […]

The Baller Ranks: Top 101 Relief Pitchers Weekly Rankings

Welcome to the Week 4 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, where we take a look weekly at where the top 101 RPs stand moving forward in this strange sprint season. You can check out my weekly Top 101 Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks as well. David Emerick rolled out an introduction to our Baller Ranks here -- I suggest […]

The Baller Ranks: Top 200 Hitters Weekly Rankings (Week 4)

Last week's full launch of The Baller Ranks was one of the most gratifying things I've done with fantasy baseball, and I want to thank everyone who reached out with support, suggestions, and questions. To that end, I got some questions about why guys moved or didn't. Early in the season, projection systems struggle to […]

Taylor Rogers Strikes Out Two In Scoreless Ninth

Minnesota Twins closer Taylor Rogers struck out two in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up his fourth save of the season on Monday night. Rogers bounced back after blowing a save against Pittsburgh in his last outing, though he's been really sharp this year otherwise. The 29-year-old owns the fifth-lowest walks per nine innings […]

Drew Pomeranz Tapped For Save Monday

San Diego Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz breezed to his third save Monday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, retiring the side in order. Although incumbent closer Kirby Yates has struggled with a 10.38 ERA, it’s possible Pomeranz was tapped to face Dodgers lefty Max Muncy to start the frame and stayed to finish the contest. While […]

Luis Perdomo Starting Monday, Garrett Richards Pushed To Tuesday

San Diego Padres starter Garrett Richards’ start will be pushed to Tuesday, with pitcher Luis Perdomo drawing Monday’s start against the Los Angeles Dodgers. After the demotion of Joey Lucchesi last week, the move will keep Richards on schedule while shifting Monday’s contest to a bullpen game. The 32-year-old Richards has been mediocre through three […]

Josh James Should Close for the Astros

The pitching woes in Houston continue to stack upon one another. Consider it bad luck, karma for cheating, or whatever you want, the fact of the matter is that this pitching staff is dealing with a litany of issues and cannot afford to make more mistakes throughout the rest of this shortened season. The Astros […]