Phillies Option J.P. Crawford

The Philadelphia Phillies optioned shortstop J.P. Crawford to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday and recalled relief pitcher Hector Neris in a corresponding move. Crawford has struggled mightily and has hit under .200 this year. With Asdrubal Cabrera now at the 6, Crawford is the odd man out on the infield. Neris had an ugly 6.90 […]

Wily Peralta Locks Down Seventh Save

Kansas City Royals closer Wily Peralta looked sharp again as he finished off his seventh save of the season on Monday night. It was Peralta's first save in the month of August due to poor team play, but he worked around a walk without an issue to take care of business. Peralta was roughed up […]

Robinson Cano Reinstated Tuesday

Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano has officially been reinstated from his suspension on Tuesday. Reliever Casey Lawrence was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma and reliever Sam Tuivailala (Achilles) was moved to the 60-day disabled list in corresponding moves. Cano will return to more of a utility role on the Mariners infield and should see time […]

Joakim Soria To Be Out More Than 10 Days

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Joakim Soria (groin) will be out for more than the minimum 10 days while on the disabled list, according to manager Craig Counsell. Soria was injured late last week in an outing where he allowed a game-winning grand slam. He's been effective overall with a 2.44 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 11.2 […]

Brad Keller Beats Blue Jays

Kansas City Royals rookie Brad Keller tossed seven strong innings against Toronto on Monday to pick up his fifth win of the season. Keller struck out four while allowing only one earned run and four hits to even his record. Keller has been a complete surprise for the Royals this year as he's stepped in […]

John Axford Suffers Broken Fibula

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher John Axford (leg) suffered a break to the tip of his fibula after he was hit by a comebacker on Sunday, and he could be out for three weeks. He's expected to be put on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday. Axford has been in more of a middle-relief role […]

Glenn Sparkman Recalled From Triple-A

The Kansas City Royals recalled pitcher Glenn Sparkman from Triple-A Omaha mere hours after sending him there. Sparkman was originally demoted to make room for Blaine Boyer as he came off the disabled list, but less than 18 hours later, Sparkman was recalled to take Danny Duffy's spot as he was placed on the DL. […]

Kenley Jansen Needed Electric Shock For Heart

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (heart), who called 911 to report an irregular heartbeat last week, said his situation required that doctors in Denver use an electrical shock to get his heart back in rhythm. He is now feeling good and was upbeat after throwing a 16-pitch, "touch-and-feel" bullpen session. There remains no timetable […]

NL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 20

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 […]

Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 20

Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on. This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on […]

Koda Glover Blows Ninth Inning on Monday

Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover was put in the game during the bottom of the ninth Monday evening and gave up a walk-off home run to Paul DeJong. This was Glover's third appearance since activation from the disabled list and first opportunity in the ninth inning. With relievers Sean Doolittle, Kelvin Herrera and Ryan Madson […]

Zach Britton Yankee Woes Continue

Ever since he was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles via trade, Zach Britton has been far from effective with the New York Yankees. The 30-year-old is sporting an 8.53 ERA across his last seven appearances, surrendering six runs on six innings of work. On Monday night against the New York Mets, he allowed another run […]

Carlos Martinez Will Return in the Bullpen

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Carlos Martinez (shoulder) will return to the Cardinals as a relief pitcher. Interim manager Mike Shildt said it would take too long for Martinez to build back up to a starter, so making him a reliever made more sense. Martinez threw a bullpen session on Monday and is expected to […]

CC Sabathia Suffered Knee Injury, Ronald Torreyes Called Up

Updating a previous post, New York Yankees starting pitcher CC Sabathia (knee) has been placed on the disabled list with inflammation in his right knee. Starter George Kontos was called up to take his place on the roster. The Yankees continued making moves, transferring left-hander Jordan Montgomery (elbow) to the 60-day DL. The optioned first […]

Ryan Madson is Dealing with Back Pain

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Madson (back) could be headed to the disabled list after Sunday's meltdown against the Chicago Cubs. The veteran righty gave up a game winning grand slam to David Bote in the ninth inning on Sunday. Afterwards, Madson admitted he's been dealing with back pain that makes it difficult for him […]

Blaine Boyer Activated, Sent To Bullpen

Kansas City Royals pitcher Blaine Boyer was activated from the 60-day disabled list on Sunday and assigned to the bullpen. Boyer had been DLed since May due to a strained back, and he took the place of Glenn Sparkman who was optioned to Triple-A Omaha. The 37-year-old was absolutely atrocious to start the season, so […]

Keury Mella Optioned, Cody Reed Recalled

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Keury Mella has been optioned to Triple A on Monday. He threw 47 pitches, while allowing four hits and five runs on Sunday versus the Diamondbacks. Reliever Cody Reed has been recalled to take Mella's spot on the active roster. He'll likely operate in middle relief, so this won't mean much […]

Jack Reinheimer, Tim Peterson Both Called Up On Monday

New York Mets infielder Jack Reinheimer and reliever Tim Peterson were both called up from the minors on Monday. In response to those moves, the Mets optioned reliever Jacob Rhame and shortstop Luis Guillorme to Triple-A. The Mets claimed Reinheimer off waivers on July 31. He hasn't had a major league at-bat in 2018, and […]

AL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 20

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 […]

Cody Allen Earns Save on Sunday

Indians relief pitcher Cody Allen earned his 23rd save of the season Sunday against the White Sox. Allen has had a rough year thus far, so it is optimistic for owners to see him closing out games recently. The addition of Brad Hand has placed extra pressure upon Allen's shoulders as he now must navigate […]

Blake Treinen Shuts the Door for Oakland

A's closer Blake Treinen earned his 30th save of the season Sunday against the Angels. Treinen struck out the side with just 11 pitches which continued his dominance that has been unparalleled this season. His sub-one ERA and WHIP have been carrying fantasy owners' ratios all season. As long as Oakland continues to give him […]

Ryan Madson Blows Save On Sunday, Reportedly Injured

Nationals relief pitcher Ryan Madson blew Sunday's game against the Cubs in the ninth inning. With closer Sean Doolittle and set-up man Kelvin Herrera on the disabled list, Madson was the next man up. He came in with a three-run lead, allowed one hit, then hit two batters and gave up a grand slam to […]

Ken Giles Gets First Save With the Blue Jays

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Ken Giles pitched a clean ninth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday to pick up his first save with the team. Giles has struggled early on in his Blue Jays tenure, but it seems as though the closer role is his for the time being. The former Houston Astro […]

Craig Kimbrel Picks Up 35th Save of the Season

Boston Red Sox star closer Craig Kimbrel closed out the Baltimore Orioles for his 35th save of the campaign on Sunday afternoon. The flamethrowing right was struggling earlier in August but has now put together back-to-back solid performances. It seemed like it would only be a matter of time before Kimbrel found his game again […]

Dodgers Bullpen Implodes On Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers' closer committee of Scott Alexander and J.T. Chargois could not get the job done in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Rockies. Alexander started the ninth inning up by two and got one out before allowing a double. Chargois then replaced Alexander and proceeded to hit a batter, get a second out, and […]

Trevor Hildenberger (RP, MIN) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: After the dealing of Fernando Rodney to the Oakland Athletics, a the Minnesota Twins are going to have to find a replacement for high-leverage situations among their bullpen that holds the sixth-worst ERA in baseball at 4.67. Of those candidates, Trevor Hildenberger stands out […]

Tyler Glasnow (SP/RP, TB) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 16% of leagues ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow looked liked the guy that the Rays traded for on Tuesday night. Glasnow’s second start for Tampa Bay yielded nine strikeouts over four innings of one-run ball, allowing just two baserunners before being lifted. His two […]

The Cut List (Week 20): Time to Let Go?

Welcome to Week 20 of the Cut List. This week I’m taking a look at Starlin Castro, Jon Lester, Jed Lowrie, and Eric Thames. I explain why each player should be dropped in most standard shallow leagues. Last week’s cut candidates (Cesar Hernandez, Matt Kemp, Asdrubal Cabrera, Tim Anderson) went a combined 16-for-66 with seven […]

Sergio Romo Earns 15th Save Saturday

Tampa Bay Rays closer Sergio Romo closed out another victory for the Rays over the Blue Jays Saturday. He would enter with a two-run lead in the ninth inning and retired all three batters he faced. Romo would earn his 15th save of the season. He has even opened five games this season. Romo will […]

Wily Peralta (RP, KCR) - Week 20 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 25% of leagues ANALYSIS: Generally, we here at RotoBaller are not in the habit of recommending pitchers who have BB/9 rates in excess of 5.00 in both the majors and Triple-A. But saves are saves, and they're tough to come by in the dog days of August. Of course, […]