Felix Bautista To Throw Another Bullpen Saturday

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) will throw another bullpen session on Saturday at 80 to 85 percent intensity. Bautista continues to increase the intensity of his throwing sessions in spring training as he recovers from knee and shoulder soreness that also bothered him late last season. The 27-year-old right-hander is taking things slowly […]

Marlins To Use Closer-By-Committee

Miami Marlins manager Skip Schumaker mentioned that the organization plans to go without a traditional closer this season. The first-year manager said he plans to let the matchups dictate how he uses his relievers. The Marlins have no shortage of options for high-leverage spots. Dylan Floro and Tanner Scott figure to remain in the mix […]

Andres Munoz Is "Ahead Of Schedule"

Seattle Mariners right-handed reliever Andres Munoz (foot) is "ahead of schedule," according to manager Scott Servais, but he's still a week or longer away from making his Cactus League debut. The Mariners were concerned about how much volume the high-leverage reliever could handle early in the year, but the coaching staff is now more encouraged […]

Giovanny Gallegos Adjusting To Pitch Timer

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos knows that he'll need to pick up his pace on the mound in 2023 given the changes to MLB rules -- pitchers are now mandated to throw a pitch within 15 seconds of receiving the ball from the catcher with the bases empty. Gallegos was one of baseball's […]

Jason Foley To Have Prominent Bullpen Role

Detroit Tigers right-hander Jason Foley is hoping to have an increased role in the bullpen in 2023. With the departures of several bullpen arms over the offseason that depleted the Tigers' pitching depth, Foley will have an opportunity to shine. Relievers such as Andrew Chafin, Wily Peralta, Daniel Norris and Kyle Funkhouser were all dealt to […]

Tanner Houck Open To Extension With Red Sox

The Boston Red Sox have discussed a long-term extension with right-hander Tanner Houck after locking in Garrett Whitlock to a four-year, $18.75 million deal 11 months ago. The talks with Houck didn't get very far last year, though, and haven't resulted in a deal or offer from Boston. He'll turn 27 in June and is […]

Ethan Small To Serve As Long Reliever

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that left-hander Ethan Small will work as a long reliever in spring training, with his status as a lefty working in his favor. Small made two starts in his MLB debut in 2022 and allowed five earned runs on eight hits while walking eight and striking out seven in […]

Nick Nelson To Start Grapefruit League Opener

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that right-hander Nick Nelson will start the team's Grapefruit League opener at home against the New York Yankees on Saturday. In his first season with the Phillies in 2022, Nelson went 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA (3.04 FIP), 1.48 WHIP, one save and 22.6 percent strikeout rate in a […]

Vladimir Gutierrez Placed On 60-Day Injured List

Cincinnati Reds starter Vladimir Gutierrez (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list on Wednesday morning. The move was made in order to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for fellow pitcher Bennett Sousa, who the Reds claimed off waivers from the Chicago White Sox. Gutierrez pitched to a 7.61 ERA, a 6.82 […]

Reds Claim Bennett Sousa Off Waivers

The Cincinnati Reds have claimed left-handed relief pitcher Bennett Sousa off waivers, per an announcement from the National League Central club's official Twitter account on Wednesday morning. Sousa appeared in 25 games for the Chicago White Sox last season, pitching to an 8.41 ERA, a 5.47 FIP, 12 strikeouts, and 10 walks in 20.1 innings […]

Jake Odorizzi To Serve Bulk-Inning Or Spot-Starter Role

The Athletic's Levi Weaver reported Tuesday that Texas Rangers newly-signed pitcher Jake Odorizzi will likely serve as either a bulk inning reliever or as a spot sixth starter. The Rangers brought in Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, and Andrew Heaney this off-season in addition to Odorizzi, and all three are established starters. However, injury is a […]

Tanner Houck Competing For Rotation Spot

MassLiveSports' Christopher Smith reported Tuesday that Boston Red Sox pitcher Tanner Houck will be used as a starting pitcher during spring training and is one of seven pitchers competing for a starting rotation spot. The 26-year-old served mainly as a starter in 2021 but as a reliever in 2022, making just four starts in 32 […]

Relief Pitchers for Holds and SV+HLD Leagues - 2023 Fantasy Baseball Draft Targets

So you've found yourself in a fantasy baseball league that values holds? Diving into the world of unheralded middle relievers can be intimidating, but you've come to the right place. There's no need to fear the middle reliever and it's pointless to delve into the depth charts of all 30 teams. These days, most MLB […]

Statcast Exit Velocity: Using Sabermetrics for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

If you've watched a baseball broadcast in the Statcast Era, you have undoubtedly noticed the broadcasters commenting on a batted ball's exit velocity, or EV. Many have taken to using stats like Hard% and Soft% to forecast how a player should be performing, expecting larger Hard% rates to produce larger BABIP and HR/FB figures. There […]

Nick Martinez To Pitch In World Baseball Classic As Starter

San Diego Padres pitcher Nick Martinez will pitch for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic as a starter, per MLB.com's AJ Cassavell. Martinez initially withdrew from the WBC because he would have served as a reliever but signed a three-year deal with the Padres this off-season with the intent of being a starter. However, […]

Bennett Sousa Designated For Assignment By White Sox

The Chicago White Sox have designated relief pitcher Bennett Sousa for assignment on Monday, per a tweet from the team's official Twitter account. Sousa appeared in 25 games for the American League Central club last season, logging an 8.41 ERA, a 5.47 FIP, 12 strikeouts, 10 walks, five holds, and a save to go along […]

Codi Heuer Placed On 60-Day Injured List

On Monday, Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Codi Heuer (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list. The right-hander, who missed the 2022 campaign after undergoing Tommy John surgery, was placed on the 60-day injured list to open up a spot on the 40-man roster for new signing Michael Fulmer. Heuer has thrown 91 innings at […]

Felix Bautista To Throw Another Bullpen Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) said that he's scheduled to throw another bullpen session on Tuesday at 75 percent to 80 percent intensity. He felt good after his last bullpen, but he made sure to reiterate that his progression will be deliberate and not rapid. The 27-year-old right-hander has been slowed by left […]

Five Relief Pitchers To Avoid In 2023 Fantasy Baseball Drafts

The relief pitchers are the trickiest part of constructing your fantasy baseball roster. Having a superstar reliever on your fantasy baseball team can be the key to a winning season. The problem is superstar relievers don’t just grow on trees. Among the select group of elite relief pitchers, it’s hard to find the one that’ll […]

Robert Stephenson Dealing With Right Arm Discomfort

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Robert Stephenson (arm) has been slowed in spring training due to right arm discomfort. The Pirates are being cautious early in camp after Stephenson threw on Saturday. It's probably a minor issue, but the Bucs aren't going to take any chances this early in camp. The 29-year-old right-hander is slated to […]

Rangers Add Dominic Leone On Minor-League Deal

The Texas Rangers signed free-agent right-hander Dominic Leone to a minor-league deal on Saturday. Leone has worked under Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux with the St. Louis Cardinals, under manager Bruce Bochy with the San Francisco Giants and for general manager Chris Young with the Seattle Mariners. The 31-year-old reliever ended the 2022 season on […]

Jhoan Duran Throws Live Batting Practice

Minnesota Twins right-hander Jhoan Duran (hamstring) was able to throw a live batting practice session on Sunday at spring training. Duran had to drop out of the 2023 World Baseball Classic after he suffered a minor hamstring injury last month, but he's back on the mound and looked good on Sunday. The 25-year-old Dominican made […]

MiLB Stats: Using Sabermetrics for 2023 Fantasy Baseball

Once you've grown accustomed to having advanced tools to help make fantasy decisions, it can feel disorientating to be without them. Prospects are increasingly becoming a focal point in both real and fantasy baseball, but the minors simply don't have all of the data available for MLB players. For example, advanced plate discipline stats, Pitch […]

Keegan Thompson To Serve In Multi-Inning Role

Chicago Cubs pitcher Keegan Thompson will open the season in a multi-inning relief role, according to manager David Ross. The right-hander was excellent in a versatile swingman-type role last season. He finished the season with a 3.76 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 108/43 K/BB ratio across 115 innings (29 appearances, 17 starts). The fact he's going […]

Liam Hendriks Throws Bullpen Session

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was able to throw a bullpen session on Friday, according to pitching coach Ethan Katz. This is good news for the right-hander who is expected to miss significant time. Hendriks continues to undergo treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is currently no timetable for his return, but the team […]

Justin Wilson Signs With Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed left-hander Justin Wilson to a one-year deal. The 35-year-old is expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2023 season as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. However, this deal includes a 2024 club option, so this could end up being a good deal for the Brewers. The southpaw only […]

Garrett Whitlock, Joely Rodriguez Throw On Friday

Boston Red Sox right-hander Garrett Whitlock (hip) and left-hander Joely Rodriguez (shoulder) threw for the first time in spring training on Friday. Whitlock is coming off a hip injury that required surgery and is expected to be a full-time starter for the BoSox in 2023. The 26-year-old finished his second MLB season in 2022 with […]

Reds Re-Sign Hunter Strickland To Minor-League Deal

The Cincinnati Reds re-signed relief pitcher Hunter Strickland to a minor-league deal on Saturday. Strickland had seven saves for the Reds last year to go along with a 4.91 ERA (4.78 FIP), 1.51 WHIP, 33 walks and 60 strikeouts in 62 1/3 relief innings. He lost his handle on the closing gig in August due […]

Felix Bautista Hopes To Be Ready For Opening Day

Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista (knee, shoulder) is feeling good and hopes to be ready for Opening Day. He has thrown four bullpen sessions in spring training and went at 70 percent effort on Friday. Bautista thinks he can start getting into spring games on March 15 or 16. Since he's a reliever, he will […]

Who Is The Tigers' Closer? Fantasy Baseball Saves Outlooks

With the departure of Gregory Soto, who did most of the heavy lifting as the Detroit Tigers closer, the organization will have a few internal options to look towards. Soto reached a one-year, $3.9 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies, who were targeting a high-leverage arm to capitalize on their bullpen depth. Soto's departure changes […]