Brad Hand to Indians - Fantasy Implications

News broke on July 19 that Padres closer Brad Hand will be moving to the shores of Lake Erie and donning the home blue of the Cleveland baseball club. In a move that many predicted, but that no one actually saw happening, the Cleveland bullpen adds not only the lefty but also another useful piece […]

MLB Closers and Saves Report - All Star Week Edition

The stove is warming up! Just when we were all being entertained by the All-Star Game being the most 2018 baseball game of the year, the Dodgers and Indians were busy making their teams better for the playoff push. While we're far from done with trade rumors and actual trades, two big dominoes did indeed […]

Holds Leagues - Waiver Wire Pickups and Adds for Week 17

While holds are even tougher to predict than saves, the players we’ll highlight today include some elite setup men to target off the waiver wire in Week 17. One-inning middle relievers are the constant sources for holds and specialists can manage to secure a hold even with one out. However, while specialists can get many […]

Brandon Morrow Undergoes MRI

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) underwent an MRI exam on his forearm/biceps on Thursday. He said there was "stuff in there," but he doesn't think he'll need to be out too long. Morrow has been solid for the Cubs in the ninth this year with 22 saves, a 1.47 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and a […]

Cubs Acquire Jesse Chavez

Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Chicago Cubs have acquired pitcher Jesse Chavez from the Texas Rangers. Chavez has a 3.51 ERA over 56 1/3 inning this year for the Rangers. Chavez can pitch both as a starter and relief pitcher and will likely pitch in the bullpen for now with his new […]

Pedro Strop Secures A Save On Thursday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop picked up the final out in Thursday’s game versus the Cardinals to pick up his third save of the season. Closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) isn’t expected to miss much time, but for now it looks like Strop may be manager Joe Maddon’s preferred option for saves. Strop should be […]

Tyler Olson Among Three Indians Sent To Triple-A

The Cleveland Indians sent relief pitcher Tyler Olson as well as outfielder Greg Allen and reliever Adam Plutko to Triple-A. The team needed to make room for new additions Brad Hand and Adam Cimber as well as call-ups Yandy Diaz and Melky Cabrera. Olson has solid strikeout numbers with a 24/8 K/BB ratio and a […]

Keone Kela And Jake Diekman Drawing Trade Interest

Texas Rangers relief pitchers Keone Kela and Jake Diekman have been receiving trade interest heading into the deadline. Despite the team wanting to trade players such as Cole Hamels and Arian Beltre, Kela and Diekman have reportedly been the two most interesting assets to clubs. Kela has functioned as the team's closer this season, pitching […]

Josh Hader Will Not Be Punished By Brewers For Tweets

The Milwaukee Brewers will not be punishing relief pitcher Josh Hader for his racist and homophobic tweets that became known during the All-Star break. Hader is taking mandated sensitivity training and it appears that that will be the extent of his punishment. Hader has been excellent on the mound in 2018, pitching to a 1.50 […]

Jonny Venters Starting Rehab Assignment Thursday

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jonny Venters (hamstring) will begin a rehab assignment with High-A Charlotte on Thursday. Venters has been sidelined since late June with a right hamstring strain. He should only need a couple of appearances before he's ready to rejoin the Rays bullpen. However, he's not worth owning in fantasy leagues right […]

Anthony Bass Activated From 10-Day DL

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Anthony Bass (illness) has been activated from the 10-day disabled list on Thursday. Bass missed a couple of weeks of playing time due to a skin infection. Bass has posted a 0.63 ERA and 14/1 K/BB ratio over 14 1/3 innings this season. He's worth an add in leagues that value […]

Brandon Morrow Placed On Disabled List On Thursday

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow (biceps) has been placed on the disabled list with right biceps inflammation. It will be the second time that Morrow will miss time this season. Morrow has been effective when healthy, but injuries have been a big part of his career. Carl Edwards Jr., Pedro Strop, Steve Cishek and Justin […]

Dodgers Not Done Dealing

Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Farhan Zaidi said the team isn't necessarily done trading after acquiring shortstop Manny Machado from the Orioles this week. The front office knows the bullpen needs improvement, and Orioles closer Zach Britton, Mets closer Jeurys Familia, Reds closer Raisel Iglesias and Rangers closer Keone Kela are possibilities. Despite giving up […]

Cubs Could Be Main Player For Zach Britton

Baltimore Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said his next efforts will be to trade closer Zach Britton, and sources are pointing to the Chicago Cubs as a main player for his services. Brandon Morrow has done a fine job as Chicago's closer, but he's been injured of late and just landed back on the disabled […]

Santiago Casilla Released By A's

Oakland Athletics reliever Santiago Casilla has been released and is now a free agent. He was designated for assignment prior to the All-Star break and clearly Oakland felt they had better bullpen options. On the season, Casilla has pitched to a 3.16 ERA and a 22/20 K/BB ratio. Casilla will likely get another opportunity at […]

Carl Edwards Jr. Activated From Paternity Leave

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. has been activated off the paternity list and is eligible out of the team's bullpen on Thursday. Edwards has pitched to an impressive 2.89 ERA and a 48/13 K/BB ratio. He'll pitch out of middle relief and holds no fantasy value outside of leagues that count holds.

Andrew Miller Could Be Back In "Next Few Weeks"

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller (knee) could be back in the "next few weeks," according to president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti. "His outing the other night was really encouraging. His fastball velocity and shape to his pitches is starting to creep back to where he is when he's at his best," Antonetti said. […]

Kirby Yates Drawing Trade Interest

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Kirby Yates, who is set to take over as closer after Brad Hand was traded to the Indians, is drawing significant trade interest, according to a source. The Padres are clearly sellers yet again, and they could deal Yates, who has a nice 1.43 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and 11.5 K/9 […]

Kirby Yates Getting the Ninth-Inning Nod

San Diego Padres reliever Kirby Yates should inherit the closing role with the departure of reliever Brad Hand, who was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 19. Yates should immediately slide into the driver’s seat for saves in the second half. The 31-year-old is enjoying the best season of his career and had done […]

Jim Johnson to Continue Rehab at Triple-A

Los Angeles Angels reliever Jim Johnson (back) will head to Triple-A Salt Lake to continue his rehab assignment. Johnson hasn't thrown since June 11. In 34 1/3 innings on the year, he's sporting a 3.93 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP, with 31 strikeouts and one save. Johnson is not likely to step into any save […]

Prospect Zach Pop The Final Piece Of Manny Machado Trade

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Zach Pop has been dealt to the Baltimore Orioles in a package for Manny Machado. Pop does not currently rank in the team's top 30 prospects, however, he was a seventh round pick in 2017 and has shown potential. Over 35 minor league games, Pop holds a 0.93 ERA with […]

Rob Zastryzny, David Bote Optioned to Minors

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Rob Zastryzny and infielder David Bote have been optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Bote gave the Cubs some extra depth on the final day before the All-Star break. He is posting an outstanding .310/.415/.452 batting line through his first 20 games this season. Sadly, the Cubs don't have regular playing […]

Anthony Bass Should Rejoin Cubs Bullpen Soon

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Anthony Bass (illness) worked a scoreless and hitless inning during his rehab appearance on Tuesday with Triple-A Iowa. Bass was placed on the disabled list July 5 with what the team called a skin infection. He should be ready to rejoin the Cubs bullpen shortly after the All-Star break. Bass has […]

Koda Glover Struggles in Rehab Apperance

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Koda Glover (shoulder) allowed three hits and a walk in one inning of work at Triple-A Syracuse on Wednesday. Glover was knocked around during his outing last Saturday as well. The 25-year-old righty reliever has been sidelined all season because of a shoulder injury. Glover has the potential to be a […]

Matt Albers to Begin Rehab Assignment Wednesday

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Matt Albers (shoulder) is scheduled to begin his rehab assignment at Class A on Wednesday. Albers has been on the 10-day disabled list since June 12, but hopefully will be back in the Brewers bullpen soon. Albers should not be owned in most leagues, but could be an option in leagues […]

Jose Alvarado Reinstated From Medical Leave

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (personal) has been reinstated from family medical emergency leave on Wednesday. Alvarado missed the last few games before the All-Star break, but is back for the beginning of the second half. He is posting a 2.58 ERA and 42/19 K/BB ratio over 38 1/3 innings this season. He […]

Edwin Diaz On Pace To Break Saves Record

Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz currently leads all pitchers with 36 saves heading into the second half of the season. The right-hander is currently on pace to break the Major League record of 62 saves in a season and has been dominant all year. He has three blown saves this season but hasn't coughed up […]

Hector Rondon To Get First Crack At Second-Half Saves

Houston Astros closer Hector Rondon is expected to get the first shot to close games heading into the second half of the season. Rondon has taken over the role from embattled 2017 closer Ken Giles and has converted eight of nine saves since June 1. Giles is now in the minors and the job appears to […]

Interest In Zach Britton Has Picked Up Steam

Interest in Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton has reportedly picked up steam. With the Orioles reported Manny Machado deal set to be finalized on Wednesday, there's a good chance the team acts quickly to move Britton. The closer is a free agent at the end of the season and has pitched to a 3.68 ERA […]

Pedro Baez Begins Rehab Assignment Tuesday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Pedro Baez (biceps) is scheduled to begin a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Oklahoma City. Baez has been sidelined for roughly a month with tendinitis in his right biceps. It appears that Baez is on track to rejoin the Dodgers bullpen after the All-Star break. Baez has […]