Deeper NL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 3

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 […]

Jake McGee Progressing In Rehab Process

A little over two weeks since landing on the injured list with a left knee MCL sprain, Colorado Rockies reliever Jake McGee is taking his first steps towards a return. The 32-year-old is playing catch and ramping up his strength for the week before the next steps are decided. McGee has experience as both a […]

Ryan Yarbrough is Active for Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough is active for Thursday's game against the Baltimore Orioles. However, the Rays named Hunter Wood as Thursday's opener, so it's possible that Yarbrough comes in after him. Neither Yarbrough nor Wood have much fantasy value here. Wood can be avoided since he won't pitch long enough to record the […]

Craig Kimbrel Could Be Open To Three-Year Deal

There is now belief among interested teams that free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel would be willing to accept a three-year deal. Originally, it had been believed that Kimbrel was searching for a five-year pact. MLB Network's Jon Heyman thinks the Braves are the best fit now that Arodys Vizcaino (shoulder) is done for the year, but […]

Blake Parker Picks Up Fourth Save

Minnesota Twins reliever Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth inning to lock down his fourth save of the season on Wednesday. Parker struck out two batters in the outing and didn't allow a hit. The veteran reliever now has a 1.42 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, six strikeouts, and four saves in 6 1/3 innings of work. […]

Deeper AL-Only Waiver Wire Sleepers for Week 3

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 […]

Jeremy Jeffress Returns Wednesday

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) finally made his 2019 debut on Wednesday after starting the season on the injured list. Jeffress looked like he was going to be the Brewers closer coming into the year before his injury, and it's still possible he could be in the future. Jeffress had a rough rehab stint in […]

Hector Neris Earns Second Save

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris earned his second save of the season, striking out two batters to preserve the Phillies 3-2 win. It wasn't easy for Neris, who came into the game with two runners on and one out. He allowed an inherited runner to score but was able to lock down the save […]

Yonny Chirinos Earns Win Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Yonny Chirinos followed opener, Ryne Stanek to pitch five innings and earn the win over the Orioles on Wednesday to improve to 3-0. Chirinos had his chance in a few starts to begin the season and pitched well. However, he got hit hard in relief against the Blue Jays, allowing six runs […]

Aroldis Chapman Records Third Save

After New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner's grand slam put the Yankees up by two runs late Wednesday night, closer Aroldis Chapman entered in the ninth. The Cuban native retired the side in order and recorded a strikeout to pick up just his third save of the season. Chapman had not made an appearance in four days […]

Jordan Hicks Saves His Fourth Game on Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks saved his fourth game of the season on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning. He allowed a walk and notched a strikeout. Hicks has been solid this season, posting four saves and a 2.25 ERA. He's a must-own in all formats.

Arodys Vizcaino's Season Is Over

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino underwent season-ending shoulder surgery on Wednesday to repair his labrum and remove scar tissue. Vizcaino's shoulder issues date back to last season, when he was relieved of his closing duties by A.J. Minter, who now gains a bunch of fantasy value for the remainder of the season. Chad Sobotka […]

Top 20 Prospects for 2020 Dynasty Leagues (Week 3 Update)

Welcome back to our updated list of the Top 20 impact prospects for 2020. Most minor league teams have now completed a dozen games or so (depending on weather cancellations), so we're starting to see some trends with players off to hot or cold starts. I expect a lot of movement on this list as […]

The Fantasy Injury Exam Room - Lindor, Senzel & More

In our new weekly feature in collaboration with Inside Injuries, we take a comprehensive look into major injuries and their Fantasy implications. The medical team at Inside Injuries breaks down each player’s outlook from physical perspectives. RotoBaller then provides in-depth fantasy recommendations based on the impact of every injury breakdown. It’s an unrivaled combination of […]

Brad Hand Picks Up Another Save With a Scoreless Inning

Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand picked up his sixth save of the season on Tuesday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning against the Seattle Mariners. Hand allowed just one hit and needed 11 pitches to lock down a 4-2 win for Cleveland. He's off to a good start and should be one of the more consistent […]

Drew Gagnon Saves Mets Bullpen With Performance

After New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz surrendered eight runs without recording an out Tuesday night, the Mets turned to Drew Gagnon in the hopes of an extended performance out of the bullpen. While Gagnon allowed six runs, his 5 1/3 innings and 97 pitches provided the Mets a gift, as they didn't have to […]

Ken Giles Available Tuesday

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles (illness) threw a successful side session before the game on Tuesday and will be available to pitch. Giles was unavailable on Monday night because he was under the weather, and Joe Biagini filled in for the save. The hard-throwing right-hander has been good for Toronto so far this year, […]

Ken Giles To Throw Side Session

After being unavailable in a save situation Monday night, Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles (illness) will throw a side session Tuesday to determine his availability. The decision was announced by manager Charlie Montoyo. Considering Giles was out due to what the team simply called an illness, the fact that he has to throw a side […]

Brad Boxberger Blows Another Save

Kansas City Royals reliever Brad Boxberger fell apart once again and cost the Royals another game on Monday. Boxberger wasn't officially declared the team's closer, but he was the biggest name they brought in as they attempted to rebuild a bullpen that has slowly gotten depleted over the last few years, so he was tagged […]

Jeremy Jeffress To Be Eased Into High-Leverage Situations

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder), who will be activated from the injured list on Tuesday, will be eased into late-inning, high-leverage situations. He led the team with 73 outings in the regular season last year and posted a solid 1.29 ERA. He also had 15 saves and should eventually factor into the ninth-inning […]

Brewers Remain Interested In Craig Kimbrel, Dallas Keuchel

The Milwaukee Brewers remain interested in free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel and starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel. However, their interest in Kimbrel is tied to the performance and durability of reliever Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder), who hasn't yet made his season debut. Kimbrel is moving "closer" to a decision on where he will sign, but the situation remains […]

Pirates Activate Kyle Crick From Injured List

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Kyle Crick (triceps) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday, the team announced. To make room for the reliever, the Pirates optioned infielder Kevin Kramer to Triple-A Indianapolis. Crick is a welcome re-addition to the Pirates bullpen that has allowed 17 earned runs in the seventh and eighth innings […]

Mets Won't Use Edwin Diaz For Multiple Innings

New York Mets officials decided before this season that they would never use closer Edwin Diaz for more than three outs, according to manager Mickey Callaway. It's why he wasn't brought in until the 11th inning in the win over the Phillies on Monday night. Callaway also said Diaz would never pitch in a tie […]

Yusei Kikuchi Struggles Early, Settles Down Late In Loss

Seattle Mariners starter Yusei Kikuchi was a mixed bag in Monday's tilt versus the Indians. He gave up two runs in the first inning and then served up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the third to put the M's behind early. Kikuchi settled down after that, only allowing one batter to reach after […]

Raisel Iglesias Blows Save Monday

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias allowed a two-run, walk-off homer to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday, resulting in his first blown save of the season. Iglesias did not record an out in the game. The veteran closer is off to a shaky start this year, posting a 0-3 record and 6.75 ERA with just […]

Brad Hand Earns His Fifth Save on Monday

Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand earned his fifth save of the season on Monday, tossing a perfect ninth inning. He needed just 10 pitches to strike out two batters and retire the side in order, saving a 6-4 win over the Mariners. Hand has looked good in the early going, and should be one of […]

Strikeout Rate Risers and Fallers - Buy or Sell for Week 3

Welcome back to the pitching strikeout rate risers and fallers article series! Each week, we will take a look at two K% risers and two fallers among pitchers, analyze what is behind those changes, and then decide if they are actionable. This exercise is particularly useful for fantasy players because K% holds direct fantasy value […]

Ken Giles Under The Weather Monday

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles (illness) was unavailable on Monday night because he was sick, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. It explains why Joe Biagini came in for the save against the Twins. Giles has been solid so far this year, posting a 2.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, four saves and 11 strikeouts in his […]

Edwin Diaz Locks Up Sixth Save

After an eventful four hours of baseball, the New York Mets held a lead in the 11th inning Monday night against the Philadelphia Phillies. Closer Edwin Diaz was summoned and he was stellar once again, striking out the side to secure another victory. Diaz now has six saves, the second most in the National League […]

Mike Mayers Coughs Up Three Runs While Only Getting Two Outs

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Mike Mayers had a rough outing against the Brewers on Monday, recording just two outs but allowing three runs on two hits and two walks. The damage came on a three-run home run off the bat of Christian Yelich, breaking a 3-3 tie. Mayers is a solid reliever, but he's […]