2026 Fantasy Baseball Closers and Saves: Bullpen Draft Strategies and Later-Round Targets

One of the hardest positions to navigate in fantasy baseball drafts is the closer position. Managers have to decide whether they are willing to go all in on the saves category or wait until the middle-to-late rounds to secure those saves. That makes choosing the right time to select a closer one of the toughest […]

Relief Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Breakouts - Undervalued Closers and Saves (2026)

Navigating saves is often the most difficult part of fantasy baseball. While there are players who are near locks to earn 30+ saves, like Edwin Diaz and Mason Miller, managers will have to pay a hefty price to acquire their services and take a hit at other positions. When you invest in an early-round closer, […]

Kyle Hurt Being Viewed as Reliever

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Kyle Hurt isn't being considered for a starting rotation spot, according to Bill Plunkett. Manager Dave Roberts said on Monday that Hurt is competing for a bullpen spot. Hurt came into the league as a starting pitcher, but he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024. He has been working as a […]

Beau Brieske Exits With Rib-Cage Injury

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Beau Brieske (ribs) was forced to make an early exit from Monday's Grapefruit League contest against the Atlanta Braves. Brieske was pulled after three pitches due to right ribcage tightness. This was his first appearance of the spring after being sidelined due to back spasms earlier in camp. The Tigers will […]

Bubba Chandler Struggles to Command Pitches Again in Second Outing

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitching prospect Bubba Chandler stumbled in his second outing of spring training on Sunday afternoon. The top pitching prospect entered the game in relief behind Braxton Ashcraft and struggled, tossing 1 1/3 innings of two-run ball. In this brief appearance, Chandler allowed a high three walks with only two strikeouts. Chandler has […]

Shelby Miller Officially Placed on 60-Day Injured List

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Shelby Miller (elbow) was officially placed on the 60-day injured list on Sunday. This was expected as Miller is recovering from UCL and flexor tendon surgery that he underwent in October. The right-hander signed a two-year, $2.5 million deal with the Cubs over the offseason. The 35-year-old won't pitch in 2026, […]

Bobby Miller Being Viewed as Reliever

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Bobby Miller is reportedly being viewed as a reliever to begin the season. Miller started his professional career as a starting pitcher, but saw action as both a starter and reliever last season. Miller only pitched in two big league games last season and spent most of his time in the […]

Orion Kerkering to Throw on Saturday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Orion Kerkering (hamstring) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday. This will mark the first time that Kerkering has thrown since suffering a Grade 1 hamstring strain earlier this month. If everything goes well, Kerkering should progress to facing live hitters. After that, Kerkering should get back to pitching […]

Devin Williams Sees Struggles Continue in Spring Debut

New York Mets right-handed reliever Devin Williams gave up a home run on his first pitch in Grapefruit League action on Friday against the St. Louis Cardinals, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. It's not exactly what Mets fans wanted to see, especially after Williams' struggles across town with the New York […]

Gunnar Hoglund Dealing with Knee Injury

Athletics right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund (knee) is set to see a doctor regarding a knee injury he suffered earlier in camp, according to Marin Gallegos of MLB.com. The 26-year-old has not been on the mound since last May after undergoing season-ending hip surgery. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status, but it appears Hoglund […]

Yuki Matsui Ruled Out for World Baseball Classic

San Diego Padres left-hander Yuki Matsui (groin) has officially been ruled out for next month's World Baseball Classic with Team Japan, according to AJ Cassavell of MLB.com. Matsui is recovering from a left-groin strain that he suffered in a recent live batting practice session in camp with the Padres. He has resumed playing catch, but […]

Roki Sasaki Hit Hard in Spring Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Roki Sasaki allowed three runs, three hits, and two walks in 1 1/3 innings in his Cactus League debut on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. It wasn't a good start to spring action for Sasaki, who is trying to win a starting rotation spot going into his second MLB season. The […]

Josh Hader Remains Without a Timetable to Return

Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh Hader (biceps) is playing catch from the mound, but he has not had a bullpen session yet. Manager Joe Espada said there isn't a schedule yet for Hader to throw a bullpen, which keeps him without a timetable to return. It seems unlikely that Hader will be able to get […]

Pete Fairbanks Stepping into His Role as Marlins Closer

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks can be a solid source of saves at his current ADP, which has him as about the 19th closer off of preseason draft boards. The 32-year-old righty posted a 2.83 ERA and 3.63 FIP in a career-high 60 1/3 innings last season with the Rays. He has at least […]

Tigers Sign Colin Poche to Minor-League Deal

The Detroit Tigers signed free-agent left-hander Colin Poche to a minor-league deal on Wednesday. Poche spent most of last year in the Mets' minor league system, going 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA and 6.12 FIP in 18 2/3 innings at Triple-A Syracuse. He started the season with the Nationals, posting an ugly 11.42 ERA and […]

7 Fantasy Baseball Bold Predictions - Eric Cross' 2026 Picks

One of my favorite articles to write every pre-season is my bold predictions article here on RotoBaller. Why? Well, a bold predictions article can be both fun and informative. Many of these won't come true, but they're bold predictions for a reason. But at the same time, while the chances are slim, there's an element […]

5 Comeback Pitchers With Big Upside - Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets (2026)

Hey RotoBallers, it's that time of year again. Fantasy baseball draft season is in high gear, and Opening Day is right around the corner! With everyone dreaming of their breakout picks and top prospects right now, we've got a good opportunity to peek under the hood at some pitchers who struggled with injuries or performance […]

2026 Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft - RotoBaller Staff's Favorite Picks and Roster Strategies

Hey RotoBallers! Fantasy baseball season is in full swing (pun intended), and it's time to begin enacting our offseason research into mock drafts. Mock drafts are the perfect way for you to simulate a real-draft experience and get a feel of which players will be available for you at your respective picks. This is now […]

Saves+Holds Fantasy Baseball Rankings (SV+HLD): Top 150 Relief Pitchers for 2026

Welcome to our Saves+Holds fantasy baseball rankings (SV+HLD or SOLDS) for the top 150 relief pitchers and the 2026 season. Traditional fantasy baseball bullpen content is hyperfixated on saves, with most only concerned with who gets the ninth inning. Therefore, Saves+Holds reliever ranks can be an afterthought, but we love having a reason to dig […]

Robert Garcia Could Emerge as the Preferred Ninth-Inning Option in Texas

Texas Rangers left-handed relief pitcher Robert Garcia established himself as a quality late-game option in his first season with the team in 2025. Across 64 innings (71 games), the 29-year-old posted a 4-8 record with a 2.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, 68 strikeouts, and nine saves. Garcia's peripheral numbers actually got worse relative to his 2024 […]

AJ Blubaugh in Competition for Final Rotation Spot

Houston Astros right-handed pitching prospect AJ Blubaugh is in competition for the final rotation spot, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The team's No. 13-ranked prospect on MLB.com will be competing alongside the favorites, Spencer Arrighetti and Lance McCullers Jr.; however, Rome has noted that Blubaugh, Peter Lambert, and Ryan Weiss have begun to […]

Carlos Estevez's Velocity Down in Spring Debut

Kansas City Royals closer Carlos Estevez's velocity was "way down" during his Cactus League debut on Tuesday at 86-89 mph, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Rogers says it's "eyebrow-raising" and "something to monitor," but it's also "exactly what came up last year." Estevez typically starts slow in the spring, and the Royals "really rely […]

Carson Fulmer Signs Minor-League Deal With Pirates

Free-agent right-hander Carson Fulmer signed a minor-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, a source told Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Fulmer's 2025 season with the Los Angeles Angels was cut short due to an elbow injury. Before his injury, he struggled to a 5.83 […]

Brent Honeywell Signs Minor-League Contract With Giants

Free-agent right-hander Brent Honeywell, who won the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2024, signed a minor-league contract with the San Francisco Giants on Monday, according to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com. The former top prospect with the Tampa Bay Rays did not pitch with a team in 2025. The 30-year-old former second-round pick […]

Bryan Abreu Could Begin Season as the Closer

Houston Astros relief pitcher Bryan Abreu could be asked to step up into the closer role to begin the regular season while Josh Hader (biceps) is dealing with biceps inflammation. Hader is playing light catch off flat ground and will need to ramp up his progress to be ready in time for Opening Day. Abreu […]

Trevor Megill had Offseason PRP Injections

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Trevor Megill (forearm) reportedly had platelet-rich plasma injections this offseason. The right-hander decided to get platelet-rich plasma injections after missing time due to a forearm strain in 2025. Megill appears to be healthy now, but his role in the bullpen is not certain yet. Last season, Megill registered a 2.49 ERA, […]

Matt Brash Not Feeling Great After Tooth Removal

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Matt Brash (mouth) played catch briefly in camp on Sunday but "still isn't feeling great," according to Ryan Divish of The Seattle Times. Brash had issues with the tooth abstraction that led to more dental work and discomfort, which is why he's been slow to return in spring training. The Mariners […]

Josh Hader Not Guaranteed to be Ready for Opening Day

Houston Astros left-hander closer Josh Hader (biceps) is playing light catch off flat ground in camp as he works his way through biceps inflammation, but "it's difficult to envision Houston rushing" Hader to be ready for Opening Day, according to Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The 31-year-old six-time All-Star also missed time last season with […]

Every MLB Team's Greatest Defensive Player of All Time

Many of the sport's greatest players are credited with their ability to make an impact on the defensive side of the game. And today's we're here to talk about the best defensive players of all time, for each MLB team. While some MLB teams have very clear choices, others do not have the same illustrious […]

Relief Pitcher Fantasy Baseball Sleeper Candidates: High-Upside Draft Targets for 2026

Whether you opt to try to draft relief pitchers early in your draft to chase saves or wait to find them late or on the waiver wire, finding the right breakout relief pitchers can be key to rounding out your roster. Like MLB teams, most fantasy teams have a bit of a carousel in their […]