Jose Leclerc Optioned to Triple-A

To clear room for the returning Martin Perez, the Texas Rangers optioned reliever Jose Leclerc to Triple-A. The 24-year-old has pitched well in 2018, giving up no runs while striking out a batter per inning over three innings. Leclerc was a dark-horse candidate to close games, but he'll make way for the veteran due to […]

Streaming Wars - Waiver Wire Targets for April 5th

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. We are back at it again this year, publishing this article seven days a week. It's still just the first week of MLB games, but we are always ready to stream. For those who are new - use this column on a daily basis […]

Streaming Wars - Waiver Wire Targets for April 6th

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. We are back at it again this year, publishing this article seven days a week. It's still just the first week of MLB games, but we are always ready to stream. For those who are new - use this column on a daily basis […]

Cody Allen Contributes Two Scoreless Innings on Wednesday

Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen pitched two scoreless innings on Wednesday, allowing two hits and striking out one. There wasn't a save situation for Allen in this one, but he came in and did his job, keeping the game tied. He's a streaky pitcher who will lose the strike zone at times, but he has […]

Brad Boxberger Picks Up Second Save

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Brad Boxberger picked up his second save of the season, shutting down the Dodgers on Wednesday. The outing wasn't without its blemishes as Boxberger walked two of the five batters he faced. Walks have been an issue in the past for Boxberger, and he has yet to make an appearance this season […]

Joakim Soria Picks Up Second Save

Chicago White Sox reliever Joakim Soria picked up his second save of the season Wednesday evening versus the White Sox. Soria is now 2-for-2 in save opportunities and it looks like the closer gig is his as long as he continues to perform well. Soria should be owned in all leagues as long as he […]

Odrisamer Despaigne Relegated To Bullpen

The Miami Marlins have sent pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne to the bullpen after manager Don Mattingly decided to move to a four-man rotation, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. Despaigne picked up the win during Miami's 17-inning marathon against the Cubs last week, but was roughed up for five runs in his scheduled start the next day. […]

Boone Logan On Schedule To Do Mound Work Next Week

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Boone Logan (triceps) is on schedule with his four- to six-week return date and is going to do some mound work hopefully by next week after the Brewers road trip. Logan will most likely be a middle reliever behind guys on the depth chart like Josh Hader and Corey Knebel, so […]

Miguel Almonte Traded To Angels

Kansas City Royals pitcher Miguel Almonte was traded to the Los Angeles Angels after he was demoted. Almonte was initially demoted to make room for newly-acquired journeyman outfielder Abraham Almonte, and he was reportedly traded due to concerns about his health. Almonte's shoulder has reminded the Royals of the ongoing struggle they've had with one-time […]

Nate Karns Expected To Remain On DL

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Nate Karns (elbow) is eligible to return from the disabled list on Friday, but manager Ned Yost told reporters that he doesn't expect Karns to be activated right away. Per Yost, Karns is still feeling some soreness in his elbow, so it's unlikely that he'll be ready to go before the […]

Justin Grimm Working Into Setup Role

With a slick 1-2-3 inning Tuesday, Kansas City Royals reliever Justin Grimm helped push the team across the line to their first win of the season. Grimm, a spring training signee, has now thrown two clean innings in a row to pick up a pair of holds. With a Royals team that's expected to struggle […]

Edwin Diaz Picks Up Third Save In Four Games

Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz picked up another save, his third in four games played, against the Giants on Tuesday. Diaz struck out two in the scoreless ninth inning and now has eight punchouts in three appearances. The Mariners offense has come out of the gates swinging and has put the team in position to […]

Pat Neshek Not Facing Serious Injury

After undergoing an MRI on Tuesday, Philadelphia Phillies reliever Pat Neshek (shoulder) received positive news regarding his injury and return date. The 37-year-old went on the disabled list last week with a right shoulder strain, but the results of the MRI only revealed inflammation. The club said they would keep him shut down for a couple […]

Zach Neal Called Up, Josh Fields Put On Paternity Leave

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Zach Neal was called up on Tuesday, adding depth to a taxed bullpen that had played 15 innings into Tuesday morning in Arizona. Reliever Josh Fields is being placed on paternity leave. Neal played with Oakland last season and wasn't very good. In 14 2/3 innings, he gave up more hits […]

Keone Kela (RP, TEX) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 60% of Yahoo leagues ANALYSIS: As someone who treats relief pitchers as expendable due to their volatility, I always wait until much later in the draft to grab one. Closers, in particular, lose their jobs often depending on the competition behind them; never mind the possibilities for injuries. Case in […]

Anthony Swarzak Placed On Disabled List

New York Mets reliever Anthony Swarzak is dealing with a sore left oblique, and while all parties involved were hoping it was nothing, it ended up being serious enough to land him on the 10-day disabled list. Oblique injuries can be very, very tricky (and it’s the Mets we’re talking about here), so there remains […]

Will Smith Throws Simulated Inning Tuesday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith (elbow) threw a 20-pitch simulated inning on Tuesday. Giants manager Bruce Bochy said Smith looked good. Smith is recovering from Tommy John surgery and is still a few months away from being back for the Giants. Smith may be able to help owners with holds, but should remain […]

Wilmer Font Opens Eyes In Extra-Inning Loss

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Wilmer Font made a name for himself in an unexpected way on Monday. Called upon to pitch multiple innings after closer Kenley Jansen blew the save and sent the game into extra innings, Font threw 4 1/3 innings, striking out four batters while giving up two runs (including the game-winner) on five […]

Hyun-Jin Ryu Erratic In 2018 Debut

Los Angeles starter Hyun-Jin Ryu had little command in his first game of the season on Monday. Against the Diamondbacks, Ryu only lasted 3 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on five hits and walking five. He struck out only two. Ryu was a fairly decent prospect when he first came over from Korea, coming […]

Blake Treinen Gets Save In Long Appearance

Oakland Athletics closer Blake Treinen pitched 1 2/3 innings to get the save against the Rangers on Monday. He allowed one hit and a walk, but struck out one. Treinen has a firm grasp on the job and even mediocre teams have save chances.

Greg Holland to the Cardinals - Fantasy Fallout

With this unusual off-season coming to a close, one of the last big free agents left without a team found a home on Opening Day, as reliever Greg Holland signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Making his return from Tommy John surgery last season, Holland was 41-for-45 in save opportunities as the […]

Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 1

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 […]

Kenley Jansen Blows Save In Eventual Dodgers Loss

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen blew a save on Monday, walking two Diamondbacks batters and then giving up a three-run home run to Chris Owings. He already got a loss last weekend by giving up a home run to Joe Panik while losing a few ticks on his slider. The top closer in baseball […]

Tom Koehler Transferred To 60-Day DL To Make Room For Jesus Liranzo

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tom Koehler (shoulder) has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list as he rehabs his shoulder capsule. The Dodgers signed the former Marlin as a potential setup guy for closer Kenley Jansen, but he got injured in spring training. The move was designed to make room on the 40-man roster for Jesus […]

Daniel Hudson Signed By Dodgers

Free-agent reliever Daniel Hudson has been signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers and sent to the minor leagues. The veteran journeyman last pitched with the Pirates last year and had 66 strikeouts in 61 2/3 innings. He gave up 30 earned runs, however, and walked 33 batters. He'll serve as veteran depth as the team […]

Joaquin Benoit Continues Rehab

Washington Nationals reliever Joaquin Benoit (elbow) continues to rehab his elbow, according to manager Dave Martinez. The Nats signed Benoit in the offseason as bullpen depth, but he began the year on the disabled list. He'll strengthen his elbow but still doesn't have a timetable for his return. He can be safely ignored for fantasy […]

Raisel Iglesias Nails Down First Save

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias locked down his first save of the season on Monday, preserving a 1-0 win over the Chicago Cubs. Iglesias notched a four-out save, walking one and striking out two without allowing a hit. It was a nice bounce back after he allowed the Nationals to score a run in a […]

George Kontos Picks Up Save on Monday

Pittsburgh Pirates right-hander George Kontos registered his second career save on Monday to secure a 5-4 win over the Minnesota Twins. Regular closer Felipe Rivero was unavailable after appearing in both games of a doubleheader on Sunday. Kontos won't get many save opportunities moving forward, but manager Clint Hurdle has shown trust in the veteran […]

Greg Holland Set to Join the Cardinals Bullpen Next Week

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Greg Holland is set to join the Cardinals bullpen next Monday. He threw to live hitters on Monday and is scheduled to pitch in minor league games on Thursday and Saturday. Assuming those outings go well, Holland will be activated on Monday and will presumably jump right into the closer's […]

Keynan Middleton Picks Up Save, Could Replace Blake Parker

Los Angeles Angels reliever Keynan Middleton picked up the save on Sunday, relieving Blake Parker, who started the ninth but was pulled after loading the bases and only getting one out. Middleton locked it down and may have an edge on the closer role going forward. Manager Mike Scioscia seems content to have Cam Bedrosian […]