Is Grant Taylor Emerging As a High-End Option in Chicago?

Chicago White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor has looked excellent this spring and is a breakout candidate to watch. The 23-year-old has outstanding stuff and can dominate when at his best, but his role is still a little undefined. Last year, he worked 36 2/3 innings in the majors in 36 games, including two starts. He […]

Updated Fantasy Baseball Rankings: Top 750

The countdown to Opening Day is on as we draw closer to the 2026 MLB season. With have some big fantasy baseball drafts coming up soon. At RotoBaller HQ, we recently updated our 2026 fantasy baseball rankings for all positions to account for the injuries or latest news. Our rankings and tiers are designed for […]

Every MLB Team's Greatest Right Fielder of All Time

The right field position has been occupied by some of the greatest players the game of baseball has seen. And today, we're here to identify 30 of them, with our picks for every MLB team's all-time greatest right fielders. While some MLB teams have very clear choices, others do not have the same illustrious history. […]

Griffin Jax the Favorite for Early Saves in Tampa Bay?

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Griffin Jax could be the early favorite for the closer role in Tampa Bay once the regular season gets underway. The right-hander was superb for the Twins from 2022 through 2024, but despite an elite 36.4 percent strikeout rate (29.8 percent K-BB%) in 50 appearances for Minnesota in 2025, the 6-foot-2 […]

Bryan Abreu Ticketed for Ninth-Inning Role in Houston

Houston Astros reliever Bryan Abreu appears to be in a position to take over as the team's closer to begin the year. Houston's regular closer, Josh Hader (biceps), threw his first bullpen session of the spring on Tuesday, but manager Joe Espada has already ruled the veteran out for Opening Day. Abreu has been both […]

Dennis Santana Carries Double-Digit Save Potential into 2026

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Dennis Santana posted a breakout season in 2025, collecting a 4-5 record with a 2.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, 60 strikeouts, and 16 saves across 70 1/3 innings pitched. The 29-year-old emerged as Pittsburgh's primary ninth-inning option down the stretch of 2025 after the Pirates traded veteran closer David Bednar to the […]

JoJo Romero the Favorite to Earn Saves in St. Louis?

Across 61 innings (65 games) in 2025, St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher JoJo Romero posted a 4-6 record with a 2.07 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 55 strikeouts, and eight saves. With former Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley now a member of the Baltimore Orioles, Romero is in the mix to close games in St. Louis along with […]

Josh Hader to Start the Year on the Injured List

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) will start the season on the injured list, manager Joe Espada told Chandler Rome of The Athletic. Hader threw his first spring training bullpen session on Tuesday and felt good, but the timeline the Astros have laid out won't have Hader ready by Opening Day at the end […]

Josh Hader Throws Bullpen, Still Unsure on Opening Day Availability

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) threw around 15 pitches in his first bullpen session of the spring on Tuesday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "Speed is there, fastball is there, action is there, synched up. All positives," Hader said. However, when asked about whether he'll be ready for Opening Day later this […]

Joey Wentz Suffers Season-Ending Torn ACL

Atlanta Braves left-hander Joey Wentz (knee) suffered a torn right ACL in a Grapefruit League game against the Tampa Bay Rays during a collision near first base on Sunday, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Wentz will be forced to miss the entire 2026 season as a result. Although the 28-year-old southpaw has […]

Josh Hader to Throw a Bullpen on Tuesday

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) will throw a bullpen session on Tuesday in camp, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It will be the first time that Hader has thrown off a mound this spring after he reported to spring training last month with left-biceps inflammation. The 31-year-old […]

Porter Hodge to be Placed on Injured List

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Porter Hodge (elbow) will begin the 2026 season on the injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. Hodge has been diagnosed with a right flexor tendon strain and will be shut down from throwing for at least two weeks. That decision will end Hodge's chances of making the 26-man roster to […]

Orion Kerkering Throws Successful Bullpen Session

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) was able to throw a successful bullpen session on Saturday. As expected, Kerkering took the mound for his third throwing session since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain. Barring any setbacks, Kerkering is likely to begin facing hitters after this session. The expectation is that he'll be ready […]

7 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Jeremy Heist's 2026 Picks

As we head into March and the fantasy baseball draft season really starts ramping up, there's no better time for some bold predictions. While most fantasy content is geared to give you the most possible information to find even the slightest edge to crush your draft and win your league, bold predictions are the time […]

JB's Bullpen Method Strategy for 2026: Making FrankenAces Out of Relief Pitchers

Six years ago, our beloved JB Branson published an article breaking down his favorite successful fantasy baseball strategy. The Bullpen Method is a lifestyle that reflects the importance of balance on a fantasy team. That turned into an annual Bullpen Method article, with the 2023 version nominated for the FSWA's Baseball Article Of The Year […]

Cade Smith Emerging as an Elite Source of Saves

Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith has emerged as an elite source of saves in 2026, now sitting as the fourth-highest ranked reliever for the upcoming 2026 fantasy season at RotoBaller, just ahead of Andres Munoz, who registered 38 saves for Seattle a season ago. The right-hander has had a phenomenal first two seasons in the […]

Robert Stephenson to Face Live Hitters on Friday

Los Angeles Angels right-handed reliever Robert Stephenson (shoulder) will face live hitters in camp for the first time this spring on Friday, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com. It's a big step for Stephenson, who still believes that he'll be ready for Opening Day later this month. The 33-year-old veteran missed all of the 2024 […]

Josh Hader to Throw Off a Mound Early Next Week

Houston Astros left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) will throw off a mound early next week, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. It will be the first time that Hader has thrown off a mound in camp after reporting to spring training this year with left-biceps inflammation. The 31-year-old veteran has only been throwing off flat […]

Andrew Kittredge's Shoulder a "Little Cranky," Not a Serious Issue

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) said his right shoulder is "just a little cranky," and he doesn't expect it to be a serious issue, according to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun. Kittredge still expects to get back into Grapefruit League games before the end of camp. Manager Craig Albernaz said on Wednesday […]

Closers and Relievers Fantasy Baseball Rankings

The countdown to Opening Day continues, and at RotoBaller HQ, we are back with more updated rankings. Relief pitcher is the most challenging position to rank as MLB teams use committees, switch a struggling closer, or even deal them once out of the playoff picture. When should you draft a closer? Should fantasy managers ever […]

Kyle Nicolas Traded to the Reds

The Cincinnati Reds acquired relief pitcher Kyle Nicolas from the Pirates on Wednesday, sending left-handed utilityman Tyler Callihan to the Pirates. Nicolas is a 27-year-old righty who has pitched in 86 games out of the bullpen for the Buccos over the last three seasons, compiling a 4.68 ERA and 4.10 FIP with 96 strikeouts in […]

Overvalued Closers to Avoid in Fantasy Baseball Drafts - Bust Candidates (2026)

My friends, we have to talk about something we would rather not speak of too often. It's a topic that sends chills up and down the spine, makes us grit our teeth, and at times, reach into the cabinet for pain relievers, and maybe, some antacids. That topic is bullpens. Anecdotally, over the years, I […]

Drey Jameson Could be a Sleeper Out of the Arizona Bullpen

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Drey Jameson could be a key piece of the team's bullpen in 2026 after injuries have left the staff thin, as A.J. Puk (elbow) is not expected to return until July and Justin Martinez (elbow) is targeting an August return. That leaves closing duties to the likes of Kevin Ginkel and Paul […]

Abner Uribe Dominates Tigers; a Saves Candidate in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed reliever Abner Uribe showed his dominance on Tuesday in an exhibition appearance for Team Dominican Republic against the Detroit Tigers. Uribe struck out all three batters he faced in the outing and threw 11 of his 19 pitches for strikes. The 25-year-old's arrow is pointing up after going 3-2 with a career-best […]

Is Kirby Yates the Favorite for Closing Duties in Anaheim?

Veteran right-handed reliever Kirby Yates signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels for the 2026 season, and he could be a favorite for save chances to begin the year. Yates will have to earn it this spring, but there is a potential opening at the back end of the Halos' bullpen […]

Holds Leagues: Fantasy Baseball Relief Pitchers To Target For 2026 Drafts

While most fantasy baseball leagues only score saves as a category, occasionally you may find yourself in a saves+holds league or a league that scores holds as a separate category. In these leagues, relief pitchers that typically serve as the setup man on their respective clubs see a massive surge in value as they are […]

Andrew Kittredge Dealing With Shoulder Inflammation

Baltimore Orioles right-handed reliever Andrew Kittredge (shoulder) is dealing with right-shoulder inflammation in camp, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com. Manager Craig Albernaz said the team is going to be cautious and that Kittredge is "possibly a low probability" to be ready for Opening Day in late March. It means that Kittredge will most likely […]

Josh Hader Could Throw a Bullpen Next Week

Houston Astros manager Joe Espada said that left-handed closer Josh Hader (biceps) could throw a bullpen session next week, according to Matt Kawahara of the Houston Chronicle. Hader came into spring training last month with left-biceps inflammation and has been limited to throwing on flat ground so far. The move to throwing off a mound […]

Bobby Miller Throws Off Mound Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller (shoulder) threw off a mound on Tuesday for the first time this spring. Per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, it was only about 10 throws, although it was not off the rubber, and the catcher was standing. The right-hander has been dealing with right shoulder soreness, which has slowed […]

Hunter Gaddis Dealing With Forearm Tightness

Cleveland Guardians relief pitcher Hunter Gaddis (forearm) made his spring debut this past Friday, striking out two while allowing no hits or walks in the one-inning outing. However, the right-hander experienced mild forearm tightness following the appearance. According to manager Stephen Vogt, the 27-year-old went for imaging that "came back clean," and will be reevaluated […]