Jose Alvarado Implodes In Ninth

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado had a night to forget Wednesday in a loss vs the Orioles. Alvarado was called on to preserve a 3-3 tie but instead gave up six runs, five earned, while only recording two outs. Alvarado's ERA shot up from 3.20 up to 4.85 after this disastrous outing. Alvarado […]

Craig Kimbrel Blows His First Save

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel blew his first game of the season Wednesday versus the Pirates. Kimbrel recorded the first batter he faced and then allowed a walk, double and sac fly as the Pirates walked off victorious. Kimbrel has now allowed runs in two of his three appearances, but has a strong enough track […]

David Robertson Hopeful To Return Before August

Philadelphia Phillies reliever David Robertson threw a 19-pitch bullpen session Wednesday as he recovers from a Grade 1 flexor strain in his elbow. Robertson hopes to start throwing his curveball Friday, followed by another bullpen Sunday before beginning a rehab assignment following the All-Star Break. Barring any setbacks, the 34-year-old should return before August, likely […]

David Phelps Named Opener for Wednesday

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher David Phelps has been named the starter for Wednesday's game against the Boston Red Sox. Jacob Waguespack was expected to draw the start, but it sounds like he'll come out of the bullpen Phelps will go an inning or two, but Waguespack will pitch the bulk of the innings. This is […]

Blake Treinen is Activated on Wednesday

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Blake Treinen (shoulder) has been activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. Treinen missed roughly two months due to a minor shoulder strain. He is available in the bullpen for Wednesday's game against the Minnesota Twins. Treinen hasn't pitched like he did last season, but he still remains a productive […]

Roberto Osuna Nails Down 18th Save

Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna notched his 18th save of the season in the Astros 9-8 win over the Rockies on Tuesday. Osuna saw only three save chances in the entire month of June, converting only one of those chances. Osuna has been an elite closer all season, posting a 2.06 ERA, a 0.77 WHIP […]

Rays Send Andrew Velazquez to Indians

Infielder Andrew Velazquez was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Cleveland Indians Wednesday in exchange for international bonus pool money. Velazquez is a 4-for-22 hitter in his MLB career and also just .267/.331/.390 in the minors, so this is an organizational depth move. Cleveland designated pitcher Chih-Wei Hu, who has not appeared in […]

Dodgers Acquire Casey Sadler, Transfer Rich Hill

The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired pitcher Casey Sadler from the Tampa Bay Rays Wednesday in exchange for pitcher Nathan Witt. Rich Hill was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room for Sadler on the 40-man roster. Hill is now not eligible to return until August, but his left forearm injury was scary regardless […]

Greg Holland Blows Save Tuesday

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland struggled with his control on Tuesday in a blown save against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Holland retired the first two hitters in the ninth before walking four straight to bring the tying run home. At that point, he was lifted from the game and T.J. McFarland walked in the Dodgers' […]

Roenis Elias Shuts Down Cardinals For 11th Save

Seattle Mariners reliever Roenis Elias collected his 11th save of the season in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Cardinals. His only blemish was serving up a one-out double to Dexter Fowler, but he capped off the scoreless frame by striking out a pair and getting a groundout to end the game. Elias has been lights […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Wednesday, July 3rd 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 […]

Top 30 Impact Prospects for Redraft Leagues (Week 14)

The Top 10 tier lost two high-profile prospects this past week with the promotions of pitcher Bryse Wilson, pitcher (and hitter) Brendan McKay (Rays), and second baseman Keston Hiura (Brewers). McKay and Hiura could play huge roles in their respective teams’ race for a playoff berth. The Rays’ multi-tool prospect had an eye-opening debut against […]

Digging Deeper: NL-Only Waiver Report for Week 14

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Adalberto Mejia Activated From 60-day Injured List

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Adalberto Mejia (calf) was activated from the 60-day injured list on Tuesday. He missed the first 56 games due to a strained right calf. Mejia allowed one run and three hits over 3 1/3 innings. Mejia was sharp during his minor-league rehab stint, and he didn't show many signs of rust […]

Liam Hendriks Nails Down His Third Save

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks allowed a hit with two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning on Tuesday against the Minnesota Twins, picking up his third save of the season. Hendriks has been holding down the fort while Blake Treinen (shoulder) remains on the shelf. Treinen is likely to return very shortly, however, so […]

Jose Suarez, Trevor Cahill Combine For Road Victory

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jose Suarez allowed three runs - two earned - and three hits with two walks and seven strikeouts over four innings in a no-decision Tuesday in Texas. Reliever Trevor Cahill came on and allowed an earned run, a hit and a walk over two innings, picking up his first victory […]

Hector Neris Earns Save Tuesday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his seventh save since June 1. Neris needed only 15 pitched to preserve a 2-0 win for the Phillies in the first game of a crucial set against the division-leading Braves. It was a nice bounce-back effort for […]

Edwin Diaz Earns Save Tuesday

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz struck out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning to earn his 18th save of the season. Diaz has now thrown back-to-back scoreless innings with four strikeouts since his five-run meltdown in Philadelphia on June 27. Diaz hasn't been as dominant as last seasons 57 saves with a […]

Ryan Yarbrough Optioned To Triple-A

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Ryan Yarbrough has been optioned to Triple-A Durham Tuesday. Yarbrough was already on short rest when he pitched three innings of relief on Monday, so he is likely not available for a while. The team called up Austin Pruitt to be able to cover long relief for the next few […]

Hunter Strickland To Throw Bullpen On Saturday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (lat strain) will throw a bullpen on Saturday, according to Greg Johns of MLB.com. Strickland has been on the injured list since late March and has just recently bumped up his long toss distance to 200 feet. Roenis Elias has taken a grasp of the Mariners closer role with […]

Relievers Swinging-Strike Rate Studs and Duds: Week 14

Welcome back to RotoBaller’s pitchers advanced stats and StatCast studs and duds article series! Each week we will select an advanced stat, choose two studs and two duds, and analyze what those stats could mean for future fantasy output. We have spent most of our time focusing on starters throughout the season, so this week […]

Tom Eshelman Has Decent Debut Start Monday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Tom Eshelman had a decent first Major-league start in Monday's 6-3 loss to the Rays. The 25-year-old pitched five innings, allowing two runs on six hits and a walk with no strikeouts. He took a no-decision in the game. With not much to lose this season, the O's have been mixing things […]

Nathan Eovaldi to Return as Red Sox Closer

Boston Red Sox pitcher Nathan Eovaldi, currently on the injured list with an elbow injury, will be used as the team's closer as soon as he is able to return to the mound. Sources have indicated that Eovaldi will be used as, "a traditional closer," meaning he won't just be part of the committee the […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Tuesday, July 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 […]

Dereck Rodriguez Optioned To Triple-A

The San Francisco Giants have optioned pitcher Dereck Rodriguez to Triple-A and recalled outfielder Austin Slater to take his roster spot. Rodriguez began the year in the rotation for the Giants, but was sent down to the minors after eight underwhelming starts. He returned to the club at the end of May, this time in […]

Brewers Pick Up Drew Smyly On Minor League Deal

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed pitcher Drew Smyly to a minor league contract and will insert him into the rotation with their Triple-A affiliate. The left-hander posted a 1-5 record with an ugly 8.42 ERA and 1.91 WHIP through 13 appearances (nine starts) with the Rangers earlier this year before getting released last month. It's […]

Diego Castillo is Expected to Return Friday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Diego Castillo (shoulder) is expected to be activated from the 10-day injured list on Friday, according to manager Kevin Cash. Castillo has been sidelined since June 23 due to a shoulder impingement. He wasn't great for the Rays before the injury, but should get some saves chances once he's healthy. […]

Brad Boxberger Released by Royals

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brad Boxberger has been released by the organization on Monday. He was designated for assignment by the team after going 1-3 with a 5.40 ERA and 27 strikeouts with 17 walks in 29 games. It's likely that Boxberger lands elsewhere, but he isn't a valuable fantasy target at the moment.

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Monday, July 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 […]

Chad Bettis Singled To Death

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Chad Bettis has lost whatever touch he had, and the Dodgers torched him for six earned runs and the loss on Sunday. Bettis was called in to pitch the sixth inning with a one-run lead, but by the time he was done, LA had a three run lead and the bases […]