Drew Rasmussen Called Up On Saturday

The Tampa Bay Rays called up relief pitcher Drew Rasmussen from Triple-A on Saturday. Rasmussen was acquired by the Rays through a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers in May. It was the same trade in which they acquired fellow reliever J.P. Feyereisen, sending shortstop Willy Adames to Milwaukee. Rasmussen had a 4.24 ERA over 15 […]

Cardinals-Braves Postponed Saturday

The Saturday game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves has been postponed because of inclement weather. The two National League franchises will make up the game on Sunday as part of a doubleheader. Fantasy managers will have to turn to their respective benches to replace the likes of Nolan Arenado, Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies and […]

Miguel Diaz Starting On Saturday

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Miguel Diaz will be the opener for Saturday's game against the Cincinnati Reds. It sounds like it's going to be a bullpen day for the Padres. Diaz has been fantastic out of the bullpen, posting a 2.18 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 23/10 K/BB ratio over 20 2/3 innings. It's uncertain […]

Rookie Report: Prospect Risers and Fallers for Week 12

Welcome to the latest edition of RotoBaller’s Recently Promoted Prospects series for fantasy baseball! Here I discuss some recently promoted MLB prospects and rookies , making note of what I think their upside could be for fantasy baseball managers, and whether they are potential risers or fallers. We have seen 125 rookies make their MLB […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates - Week 13

We are now almost three months into the 2021 season. We have passed the 60-game mark, the length of the 2020 MLB season. There continues to be an uptick in injuries this year especially because of the broken/unusual offseason the players had, the stopping and going from last year and the return to the daily […]

Bullpen Report: New Closers and Elite Ratio Relievers

MLB is cracking down on sticky substances used by pitchers starting next week. If you are a fan of baseball or fantasy baseball, you have heard this topic discussed pretty much nonstop the last couple of weeks. We have seen spin rates decline for pitchers, especially for starting pitchers, which is going to lead to […]

The Baller Ranks: Weekly Top 101 Relief Pitcher Rankings

We are days away from the official start of summer, and that means baseball's halfway mark approaches! Bullpens remain volatile monsters and the trade deadline draws closer so be sure you have the closer heirs on the roster and/or watch list. In the meantime, my top 101 RP Baller Ranks are geared towards traditional 5x5 […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 13 Waiver Wire

Quite a sticky situation in baseball this week, huh? That's just in reference to some of the bullpen issues, why, what did you think I meant? As usual, some committees shuffled around, some injuries created new committees, and some healed players ended committees. The word of the day is committee. There's only one division in […]

Joey Lucchesi With Another Strong Start On Friday

New York Mets starting pitcher Joey Lucchesi had another solid outing on Friday against the Nationals pitching 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the Mets 1-0 loss. Lucchesi struck out five while allowing just four hits and two walks. It was his fifth solid outing in a row, though he has not pitched beyond 5 1/3 […]

Edwin Diaz Tagged With Loss On Friday

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz picked up his second loss of the season on Friday in the Mets 1-0 loss to the Nationals. Diaz failed to record an out in the ninth inning. Called on to preserve a 0-0 tie, Diaz (1-2) allowed a walk, two singles, and one earned run giving the […]

Tyler Duffey Records Second Save

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Tyler Duffey notched his second save of the season In Friday's 7-5 win over the Texas Rangers. Manager Rocco Baldelli utilized each of Taylor Rogers and Hansel Robles before the ninth, so he turned to Duffey to lock down the victory in the 10th. The 30-year-old righty allowed the auto-runner to […]

Hansel Robles Notches Third Win

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Hansel Robles picked up his third win of the season in Friday's victory over the Texas Rangers. Robles got the ball in the ninth after Taylor Rogers pitched the eighth, inducing a pair of groundball outs and a strikeout. He picked up the win when the Twins rallied in the top […]

Greg Holland Converts His Fourth Save On Friday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland closed out Friday's 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox to earn his fourth save of the year. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing no hits or walks while striking out one. The Royals have been going through a dreadful stretch the past few weeks as they'd […]

Daniel Bard Charged With The Blown Save Friday

Colorado Rockies pitcher Daniel Bard allowed one run on a walk and two hits while striking out one across one inning during Friday's win over the Brewers. He was charged with his fourth blown save of the season. The 35-year-old entered the ninth inning with a 5-4 lead but surrendered an RBI double to Brewers […]

Kenley Jansen Continues Strong Season

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen continued his impressive season by picking up his 17th save of the season versus the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday. Jansen worked a perfect 1-2-3 inning, but didn't record a strikeout on the evening. Jansen has continued to have an impressive season and he has shown no signs of slowing […]

Wandy Peralta Takes Loss Friday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Wandy Peralta took his first loss of the season in Friday's 5-3 defeat to the Oakland Athletics. Peralta entered in the fifth inning and got a quick out, though the wheels fell off in the following frame. The southpaw seemed to be close to a perfect relief outing after inducing […]

Chaz Roe Pulled From Minor League Rehab Assignment

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Chaz Roe was pulled from his rehab outing with Triple-A Durham on Thursday with right shoulder discomfort. He received an injection in his biceps and the timeline will be updated in two to three days. The Rays pitcher has been sidelined since the end of April with a shoulder strain. Roe […]

The Bigger Picture - Substance Ban Makes Things Worse (For Now)

It only took 118 years, but Major League Baseball is finally taking a hard stance on the illegal use of foreign substances by pitchers. Better late than never! The ethical issues surrounding both sides of the debate will be left for another space. The intention here is to get into the logistics of the on-field […]

Chad Green Records First Win Of Season

New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green earned the win in Thursday's victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. Green allowed a run to cross the plate in the sixth inning, though it was charged to fellow relieve Lucas Luetge. The 30-year-old righty allowed one baserunner in the following frame but struck out a pair. Green […]

Michael King Allows Three Runs In No-Decision

New York Yankees starting pitcher Michael King allowed three runs in 4 1/3 innings of work in Thursday's win over the Toronto Blue Jays. King allowed five hits and walked a pair of batters while striking out one. He didn't factor into the decision. King worked himself into a first-inning jam but was the beneficiary […]

Mark Melancon Blows Save In Epic Fashion

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon suffered a ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cincinnati Reds, coughing up four earned runs and blowing his third save. Spotted a two-run lead, Melancon allowed three knocks to tie the game, then permitted a two-run blast by second baseman Jonathan India to put the Friars behind 4-2. He was […]

Vinny Nittoli Called Up Friday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Vinny Nittoli will be called up ahead of Friday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays. The 30-year-old reliever will reach the big league level for the first time in his career. Throughout his career, Nittoli has pitched for a handful of different organizations and some independent ball as well. Nittoli has […]

Sammy Long (RP, SF) - Week 12 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 5% of leagues ANALYSIS: Sammy Long isn't the typical reliever to qualify for the weekly ranks of worthwhile additions, but the numbers suggest he packs much more promise than you would initially think. The 25-year-old lefty out of Sacramento State has started his MLB career with […]

Ryan Hendrix Blows Save Thursday

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Ryan Hendrix blew a save opportunity Thursday versus the San Diego Padres. Hendrix gave up a walk and a two-run blast to Padres third baseman Manny Machado. Despite not recording the save, Hendrix will remain the Reds closer until Tejay Antone is healthy. The 26-year-old has pitched in 18 2/3 frames logging […]

Craig Kimbrel Continues Impressive Season

Chicago Cubs closer Craig Kimbrel picked up his 19th save of the season in Thursday's victory versus the New York Mets. Kimbrel worked a 1-2-3 inning and struck out two batters. The veteran has been lights out this season and now owns a microscopic 0.64 ERA on the season. Kimbrel had question marks entering the […]

Cardinals Sign Lefty Wade LeBlanc

The St. Louis Cardinals signed veteran left-hander Wade LeBlanc on Thursday, and he will join the team for their game on Thursday night against the Atlanta Braves. LeBlanc's one-year deal will pay him $800,000 while in the major leagues and $150,000 while in the minors. Manager Mike Shildt said that LeBlanc will pitch out of […]

Rafael Dolis Lands On Injured List With Finger Strain

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (finger) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a strained right middle finger, according to Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun. Dolis exited Wednesday's game after four pitches with "no sensation in his hand," and it was reported earlier Thursday afternoon that he would be […]

Michael Lorenzen Expected To Return After All-Star Break

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) is expected to return following the All-Star break, Reds beat writer Bobby Nightengale reported Thursday. Reds manager David Bell initially said Lorenzen could return and start throwing out of the bullpen as soon as late June, but he confirmed on Thursday that the 29-year-old righty will need more time. […]

Mychal Givens Placed On Injured List

Colorado Rockies right-hander Mychal Givens (back) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday due to a lower back strain that has been nagging him for several days. In a corresponding move, the Rockies called up reliever Justin Lawrence from Triple-A. Givens owns a 2.78 ERA, a 1.28 WHIP, a 25:11 K:BB, and seven […]

Rafael Dolis Not Available On Thursday

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (hand) is not available to pitch on Thursday against the Yankees, according to MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. Dolis left Wednesday's outing after just four pitches with what was described as, "No sensation in his hand." Dolis is still being evaluated and no decision has been made if he'll require […]