Week 7 MLB Closers & Bullpen Usage Report

Monitoring bullpens in 2020 will be a vital task each and every day. Because of this, we'll be publishing a weekly article at RotoBaller that tracks which bullpens are being taxed and which pitchers within that bullpen are being heavily used. The idea of this column is to help you gain an inside track into which […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the September 2nd 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 […]

Jeremy Jeffress Gets Final Four Outs

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress picked up his third victory of the season on Tuesday against the Pirates. Jeffress has quietly put together a nice season after a rough 2019 campaign and has four saves and a 1.20 ERA . With Rowan Wick struggling of late and Craig Kimbrel struggling in high leverage situations, […]

Rafael Montero Locks Down Seventh Save

In a 6-5 extra-innings win over the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers reliever Rafael Montero entered the game of the bottom of the tenth to earn his seventh save of the season. His team scored two runs in the top of the 10th to give him a 6-4 cushion. Montero allowed a Michael Brantley single to […]

Aroldis Chapman Gets His First Save Of The Season

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman finally picked up his first save of the season on Tuesday, striking out one over a clean inning against the Rays. An errant 101 mph fastball that wound up behind the head of Rays third baseman Mike Brosseau sparked some postgame animosity between the two teams, but Chapman looked […]

Walker Lockett Joins Mariners After Waivers Claim

Right-handed pitcher Walker Lockett was claimed off of waivers by the Seattle Mariners on Tuesday after having been designated for assignment by the Mets on Friday. Lockett has made two appearances (one start) this season, yielding five runs in eight IP with eight strikeouts to his credit. Having been utilized as a swingman for much […]

Adam Morgan Heads To IL Due To Shoulder Fatigue

Philadelphia Phillies left-handed pitcher Adam Morgan was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Tuesday’s contest against the Nationals due to a fatigued left shoulder. Morgan has allowed five runs (three homers) through his first 7 ⅔ frames this season, but has amassed 11 strikeouts in that stretch. Having been a consistent relief cog […]

Kendall Graveman Rejoins Active Roster, Heads To Relief

Seattle Mariners right-handed pitcher Kendall Graveman was activated off of the injured list Tuesday even as the team’s contest against Oakland was postponed due to COVID-19 complications. Graveman last appeared Aug. 2 and has been absent due to neck injuries that have prevented him from going deep into contests. With that in mind, Seattle will […]

Nick Anderson Plans To Throw Sim Game Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Nick Anderson will throw a simulated game of around 20 pitches Wednesday as he makes his way back from inflammation in his right forearm. His progression finally represents good news on the injury front for the Rays, who have seen their relief corps decimated by maladies this season, which means […]

Kyle Cody Makes First Start Friday, Faces Innings Cap

Texas Rangers right-handed pitcher Kyle Cody will enter the starting rotation for Friday’s contest against the Mariners, which will mark the first start of his big league career. Cody has not allowed a run in 4 ⅓ innings with six strikeouts across his first three appearances, but he has not thrown more than 39 pitches, […]

Alex Wood Heads To Bullpen Upon Activation Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers left-handed pitcher Alex Wood will rejoin the club ahead of Tuesday’s contest against Arizona, but he’ll be headed to the bullpen for the time being. Wood had been on the IL since July 28 due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, which likely would prohibit him from going deep into games at […]

Zach Britton Activated From Injured List On Tuesday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton (hamstring) was activated by the team on Tuesday. Britton threw his most recent bullpen session on Sunday, and his activation on Tuesday was in line with the team’s expectations. Fantasy players should expect Britton to pitch primarily as a setup man for closer Aroldis Chapman and continue pitching […]

Hot Prospects To Watch: Hot Hitters and Hurlers

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 […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the September 1st 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 […]

H2H Points League Pickups, Waiver Adds: Week 7

Just when we thought we going go make it, Oakland and Anaheim get erased off of Sunday's schedule due to a COVID postive test by the A's. We'll we actually go a whole week without this happening? Stay tuned. We're over halfway through the season and it's getting down to the nitty-gritty. Bigger and bigger […]

Evaluating MLB Rookie Performances - Week 7

While we’ve had some big time pitching prospects make waves throughout the 2020 season, it was this past week where we saw many of the most promising pitching performances from prospects so far this year. The 2020 fantasy season doesn’t have too much longer to go as the regular MLB season concludes in about a […]

Josh Hader Strikes Out Side And Records Save

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader pitched a perfect ninth inning, striking out all three batters he faced to earn the save in Monday's 6-5 win over the Pirates. Hader needed 18 pitches, but he was able to fan Cole Tucker, Erik Gonzalez and Adam Frazier to protect a one-run lead. The 26-year-old Hader is up […]

Adrian Morejon Collects First Career Win

San Diego Padres pitcher Adrian Morejon secured his first career win Monday against the Colorado Rockies. Spelling starter Garrett Richards in the fourth frame, Morejon fired three innings of shutout ball, allowing four hits and fanning three. In a hybrid role, the Friars No. 7 prospect holds a 3.52 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 30 percent […]

Cam Bedrosian Rejoins Active Roster Monday

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Cam Bedrosian was activated off of the injured list Monday, rejoining the club’s much-maligned bullpen. Bedrosian hit the IL on Aug. 4 due to a strained right adductor, having allowed just one run through his first 4 ⅓ frames. While Ty Buttrey has taken over closer duties as of late, […]

San Francisco Adds Anthony Banda From Tampa Bay

The San Francisco Giants added left-handed pitcher Anthony Banda to their staff following a trade with the Rays, who had designated Banda for assignment earlier Monday. Banda has been shelled in his limited big league work this season, allowing nine runs (eight earned) in seven innings. Whether San Francisco utilizes Banda in the starting rotation […]

Mets Acquire Miguel Castro From Orioles

The New York Mets have added right-handed pitcher Miguel Castro to their bullpen mix after acquiring him Monday from the Orioles. Castro is still just 25 years old, yet in the midst of his sixth big league season. His strikeout numbers have soared in 2020, having compiled 24 K’s in 15 ⅔ innings. Left-handed pitcher […]

Zach Britton Within Days Of Return

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton (hamstring) is expected to rejoin the team within the next couple of days, according to manager Aaron Boone. Britton threw one bullpen session on Friday and another on Sunday, and the recency of yesterday’s bullpen is the only factor keeping Britton from being activated already. Britton’s role will […]

San Diego Lands Taylor Williams From Seattle

The San Diego Padres and Seattle Mariners were not done dealing after their blockbuster, seven-player deal Sunday, when right-handed pitcher Taylor Williams was sent to the Padres just ahead of Monday’s Trade Deadline. Williams had taken over closer duties as of late for Seattle, having racked up six saves with 19 strikeouts in 13 ⅔ […]

Arizona Ships Archie Bradley To Cincinnati

Right-handed pitcher Archie Bradley was acquired right at the cutoff of Monday’s Trade Deadline by the Cincinnati Reds, who sent infielder Josh VanMeter and outfield prospect Stuart Fairchild to Arizona in exchange. Bradley has served primarily as the D-backs’ closer since the start of 2019, having amassed 28 career saves. So far this season, he […]

Cubs Acquire Josh Osich From Red Sox

The Chicago Cubs didn’t add just one left-handed reliever at the Trade Deadline, they got two. With left-hander Josh Osich joining the mix in a deal with the Boston Red Sox, the Cubs will now be able to put Osich and Andrew Chafin alongside Kyle Ryan for a triumvirate of southpaws that the team hopes […]

Philadelphia Acquires David Phelps From Milwaukee

The Philadelphia Phillies continued to add to their bullpen by acquiring right-handed pitcher David Phelps just prior to the Trade Deadline from the Milwaukee Brewers. Phelps owns a 2.77 ERA in 12 appearances this season, having amassed 20 strikeouts (13.5 K/9) in that stretch. With Brandon Workman and Hector Neris already in the Phillies’ bullpen […]

A’s-Mariners Have Series Postponed Through Wednesday

The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners will not play the first two games of their projected series, which was set to begin Tuesday, due to additional contact tracing for Oakland after a positive COVID-19 test. With the two clubs set to meet later in September at the Oakland Coliseum, it’s possible that many of those […]

Ian Kennedy Lands On IL With Calf Strain

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Ian Kennedy was placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Monday’s contest against Cleveland due to a strained left calf. Kennedy has struggled during 2020, having allowed seven home runs in his first 14 innings, producing a 9.00 ERA and 52 ERA+. His absence, when combined with the departure […]

Brent Suter Starts Monday Amid Bullpen Day For Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers will go with a bullpen day Monday against the Pirates with left-hander Brent Suter making the start. Suter -- and the pitchers who follow him -- will have little season-long or DFS value as the club is expected to deploy it’s relief arsenal for the entirety of the contest. The start will […]

Cole Sulser Exits Closer Role For Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles will be looking elsewhere for save chances when they’re presented moving forward after manager Brandon Hyde removed right-hander Cole Sulser from the closer's gig prior to Monday’s contest against the Blue Jays. Sulser has allowed runs in each of his last four appearances, with three of those showings having resulted in him […]