Joe Smith Begins Rehab Assignment

Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith (elbow) started a minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sugar Land on Thursday night. Barring a setback, Smith could certainly rejoin the club before the All-Star break. The right-handed reliever wasn't very good before going on the injured list, sporting a 6.23 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 15/4 K/BB in […]

Giovanny Gallegos Struggles On Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos struggled in Thursday's game against the Colorado Rockies. Gallegos came in to pitch the ninth inning of a 2-2 tie, but was only able to record two outs before giving up a game-winning three-run home run to Rockies catcher Elias Diaz. The line for Gallegos was officially 2/3 […]

Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets for Week 14

Sometimes fantasy baseball can resemble the stock market. You want the best portfolio of players without having to pay too much for them. Sometimes to achieve the optimal team, you need to make trades. The best way to gain added value is to trade away an over-performing player for one in a rut. This way, […]

Kyle Bishop's 10 Bold Predictions for 2021: Midseason Review

With the calendar flipping to July, we've now reached the rough midpoint of the 2021 season. As with any other year, it's been a mixed bag of expected results and wild surprises. As anticipated, the Dodgers and Padres are running neck and neck in the National League West...but both are behind the Giants, who somehow […]

Kris Bubic Hit Hard In Thursday's Start

Kansas City Royals pitcher Kris Bubic struggled in his start against the Boston Red Sox on Thursday. He pitched four innings and allowed four hits, three walks and five earned runs while striking out three. He was tagged with the loss, dropping his record to 2-4 on the year. Bubic had worked out of the […]

Paul Sewald Strikes Out Four Batters In First Save

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Paul Sewald picked up his first save of the year Thursday afternoon, recording all four of his outs via strikeout around a hit and a walk. He likely only received this opportunity because Kendall Graveman pitched 1 2/3 innings on Wednesday, but nonetheless Sewald could be in line for the occasional […]

Jojanse Torres Undergoes Bone Chip Removal Surgery

Houston Astros starting pitcher Jojanse Torres (elbow) had arthroscopic surgery on Wednesday to remove a bone chip in his right elbow, according to Danielle Lerner of the Houston Chronicle. The No. 17 prospect in Houston's system according to MLB Pipeline, Torres made the jump from High-A in 2019 to Triple-A this year, but has struggled […]

Hunter Harvey Dealing With Shoulder Issue

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Hunter Harvey (shoulder) is considered day-to-day. The 26-year-old was due to enter the game against Houston on Wednesday night, but he was ultimately held out after experiencing right shoulder discomfort while warming up. The news is concerning, primarily since he has already spent most of the year on the 60-day IL because […]

Tony Gonsolin Won't Start On Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers scheduled starter Tony Gonsolin won't start on Thursday as planned, but he is warming up as if he will operate as the Dodgers bulk pitcher this evening. Gonsolin has only allowed one run in each of his four starts since returning from a shoulder injury, but he has failed to go past […]

Josh James Moving Rehab Assignment To Triple-A

Houston Astros relief pitcher Josh James (hip) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Thursday in Cleveland and will now head to Triple-A Sugar Land to continue his rehab assignment. James had been rehabbing with Low-A Fayetteville. The 28-year-old right-hander could be a real weapon for Houston's bullpen in the second half of the season if […]

Victor Gonzalez To Serve As Opener Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez will get the start on Thursday as the opener as the team visits the Washington Nationals. Tony Gonsolin was originally slated to start the game, although it is possible the impending rain delay prompted skipper Dave Roberts to save Gonsolin for a start over the weekend. It doesn't […]

Tony Santillan Will Work In Relief In Minors

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that right-hander Tony Santillan will work in relief at Triple-A Louisville. It comes after the Reds optioned Santillan after he allowed two earned runs in three innings against the San Diego Padres on Monday to take his second loss of the season. The 24-year-old wasn't bad in his four […]

Michael Lorenzen Beginning Rehab Assignment

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) has been sent out on a rehab assignment in the Arizona Complex League. Lorenzen had a shoulder strain back in March and hasn't pitched yet this season, but he could serve in a starting or relief role for the Reds at some point in the second half. The 29-year-old […]

Marlins-Phillies Game Postponed On Thursday

Thursday's scheduled series finale between the Miami Marlins and Philadelphia Phillies has been postponed due to inclement weather. The Phillies have announced that the game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on July 16th. The Marlins will travel to Atlanta to take on the Braves on Friday while the Phillies will […]

Brandon Kintzler Activated From The Injured List

The Philadelphia Phillies activated relief pitcher Brandon Kintzler (neck) from the injured list on Thursday. Kintzler has pitched to an 8.50 ERA in 20 appearances spanning 18 innings for the Phillies this season. Although he's struggled, the reliever could be worth a speculative add if you are in need of saves. Philadelphia's bullpen has struggled […]

Raisel Iglesias Nails Down 15th Save Wednesday

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Raisel Iglesias locked down his 15th save of the year on Wednesday night to secure the Angels 11-8 win over the Yankees. Iglesias struck out one in a clean ninth inning to convert his 15th save in 18 chances. June represented the best month of the season for the 31-year-old, […]

Rafael Dolis, Ryan Borucki Progressing

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (finger) will join Triple-A Buffalo for a rehab assignment on Friday, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. Reliever Ryan Borucki (elbow) will throw live batting practice early next week before moving to a rehab assignment. Dolis could be back early next week, while Borucki is a little bit further […]

Jose Suarez To Start Monday, Dylan Bundy To The 'Pen

Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said that pitcher Jose Suarez will join the rotation and start on Monday against the Boston Red Sox. Right-hander Dylan Bundy will move to the bullpen, with Maddon saying it can give Bundy "a chance to reset." Bundy has had a rough go of it after a really nice […]

Angels-Yankees Game Postponed Thursday

The contest between the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees scheduled for Thursday afternoon has been postponed due to the forecast of inclement weather. The teams haven't announced when the game will be made up. Fantasy managers will want to make sure they remove any players from this game that might have been in […]

Lou Trivino Hangs On For Save Versus Rangers

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino allowed a run on three hits, but managed to escape trouble and earn his 13th save of the season. Trivino allowed a homer to the red-hot Joey Gallo, then proceeded to allow singles to the next two batters to bring the go-ahead run to the plate with only one […]

Michael Wacha Lit Up In Wednesday’s Relief Appearance

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Michael Wacha allowed five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out five across three innings during Wednesday's 15-6 loss to the Nationals. He did not factor into the decision. Despite coming off a solid start in his previous appearance, the Rays opted to use Wacha out of the […]

Hector Neris Allows Two Runs In Sixth Inning

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits in the sixth inning of a loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. Neris was removed from the closer role last week and this performance isn't an encouraging sign for the right-hander. He's had a rough season with six blown saves already […]

Thomas Szapucki Roughed Up In Relief Appearance

New York Mets left-hander Thomas Szapucki, the team's 10th-ranked prospect, made his MLB debut on Wednesday in relief of starter David Peterson. Szapucki was roughed up, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and three walks over 3 2/3 innings pitched in the Braves 20-2 rout. He also struck out four batters. Despite the rough […]

Bullpen Report: Closer Carousel Keeps Churning

Chasing saves can seem maddening this season. Not only are more and more bullpens getting away from having one traditional closer and are embracing having multiple options see save chances. but some bullpens (I'm looking at you Cincinnati and Kansas City) have been nearly impossible to trust. Just when it looks like they are starting […]

Aroldis Chapman Struggles Mightily Wednesday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman imploded in Wednesday's loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Chapman entered the game in a non-save situation with a four-run lead but quickly got into trouble, surrendering three walks before allowing the game-tying grand slam. The spin rate on Chapman's fastball was down by about 100 RPMs once […]

Cal Quantrill Struggles Wednesday

Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Cal Quantrill allowed four earned runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out three across 3 1/3 innings pitched in a 9-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers in game one of a doubleheader Wednesday night. Quantrill has allowed 10 earned runs in his last 7 2/3 innings pitched after […]

Drew Steckenrider Records Second Save Wednesday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Drew Steckenrider picked up the save Wednesday, only allowing a single hit in the bottom of the 10th inning while striking out one batter. The automatic runner on second base did come around to score, but the run was not charged to Steckenrider by rule. He now holds a 2.15 ERA […]

Travis Lakins Sr. Placed On Injured List

The Baltimore Orioles placed right-hander Travis Lakins Sr. (elbow) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday after he left his start early on Tuesday night with elbow discomfort. In corresponding moves, the team selected the contract of right-hander Spenser Watkins and recalled Isaac Mattson from Triple-A Norfolk. Alexander Wells was optioned to Norfolk and Stevie […]

Dellin Betances To Have Season-Ending Surgery

New York Mets relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery, according to manager Luis Rojas. It comes as Betances was getting closer to a return to New York's bullpen, as he recently threw a scoreless inning in a rehab outing with Triple-A Syracuse. The hard-throwing right-hander has been a huge disappointment since […]

Alex Reyes Picks Up Save No. 20 On Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals closer Alex Reyes saved his 20th game of the season in Wednesday's 7-4 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Reyes threw a scoreless ninth inning with a three-run lead, so it was an easy save, but it counts the same on the score sheet. In his one inning, Reyes allowed one hit and […]