Joakim Soria Earns Second Save On Wednesday

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Joakim Soria earned his second save of the season on Wednesday, striking out two in a perfect inning of relief. On one hand, it's good to see Soria pitching better as of late, as he has now posted five consecutive scoreless appearances and sports a 3.18 ERA and 1.147 WHIP with […]

Nestor Cortes To Start Friday Against Astros

New York Yankees pitcher Nestor Cortes will take the mound Friday against the Houston Astros. Cortes has largely pitched as a long reliever out of the bullpen but has been excellent in that role, pitching to a 1.29 ERA across 21 innings with a 29:8 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The southpaw will face a tough test on […]

Michael Lorenzen Won't Return Until After All-Star Break

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell said that relief pitcher Michael Lorenzen (shoulder) will stay with Triple-A Louisville on his rehab assignment until after the All-Star break so that there are "no limitations on how we use him." The Reds wisely won't push Lorenzen back for the weekend before the All-Star break since he's been out […]

Jake Diekman Earns Seventh Save, Lou Trivino Picks Up Hold

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman needed just seven pitches to retire the Astros in the ninth inning and earn his seventh save of the season. Diekman allowed a leadoff single to Yordan Alvarez, but got a double-play and a lineout to preserve a 2-1 win. It was Diekman's first save since May 26 as […]

Mets-Pirates Called Off Thursday Night

The game between the New York Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday night has been postponed due to inclement weather. The contest will be made up on Saturday as part of a doubleheader. Pirates right-hander JT Brubaker and Mets right-hander Taijuan Walker were scheduled to toe the rubber for their respective squads on Thursday. Instead, […]

Blue Jays-Orioles Postponed On Thursday

The game between the Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles on Thursday has been postponed due to rain. The contest will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Sept. 11. Toronto right-hander Alek Manoah and Orioles right-handed opener Dillon Tate were set for the starts for their respective teams on Thursday. Manoah will […]

Raisel Iglesias' Strikeout Totals On The Rise

Los Angeles Angels closer Raisel Iglesias has picked up three saves over his last four appearances as the team prepares for its final series of the first half beginning Friday against the Mariners. Iglesias has allowed runs in two of his last three appearances but his strikeout totals have really taken off over the last […]

Michael King On Injured List, Tyler Wade Recalled

The New York Yankees placed right-hander Michael King (finger) on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with a right middle finger contusion and recalled infielder/outfielder Tyler Wade from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in a corresponding move. King has been a swing man for the Yankees the last two years, making 14 appearances (six starts) over 48 1/3 […]

Nick Neidert Chips In Four Scoreless Innings On Thursday

Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Nick Neidert provided four scoreless innings of relief in Thursday's loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Neidert had just been called up from Triple-A before the game and was needed after a short four inning start from Sandy Alcantara. In Neidert's four innings, he allowed just three hits and no walks […]

Victor Gonzalez Placed On The Injured List

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez (foot) was placed on the 10-day injured list due to left plantar fasciitis on Thursday. The Dodgers recalled fellow reliever Garrett Cleavinger to the active roster. Gonzalez has been a quality bullpen option for the Dodgers with a 2.57 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 28 innings. He has […]

Marlins, Don Mattingly Agree To Exercise 2022 Option

The Miami Marlins and manager Don Mattingly agreed to exercise his 2022 option on Thursday, according to general manager Kim Ng. Despite plenty of criticism, Mattingly will remain in Miami for at least one more season after winning National League Manager of the Year in 2020 when the Fish surprised by going 31-29 and making […]

Paul Sewald Continues Impressive Run

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Paul Sewald could be earning himself a larger role with his impressive play of late. In Wednesday night's game, he pitched the ninth inning and allowed just one hit while striking out one. For the year, Sewald now has a 1.52 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 23 2/3 […]

Jake McGee Earns 17th Save Of Season Wednesday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jake McGee notched his 17th save of the season in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals. McGee entered the game to pitch the ninth inning up by three. He got a groundout to start the inning, gave up a double, got the second out on a lineout, and struck out […]

Brooks Raley To IL, Ralph Garza Jr. Recalled

Houston Astros relief pitcher Brooks Raley has been placed on the injured list due to health and safety protocols. The lefty reliever has not pitched in four days since recording his second save of the season. He has a 5.93 ERA in 30 1/3 innings this season, so he won't be a fantasy asset even […]

Tyler Rogers Earns 15th Hold Of Season Wednesday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers picked up his 15th hold of the season in Wednesday's 5-2 win over the Cardinals. Rogers allowed one run on three hits and no walks with no strikeouts through the eighth inning. The side-armer has pitched very well in high-leverage situations this season, compiling a 1.54 ERA and […]

Jordan Holloway Optioned To Minors

Miami Marlins pitcher Jordan Holloway has been optioned to Triple-A Jacksonville on Thursday. It's not a shocking move considering he did throw over four innings during Wednesday's contest. Holloway was excellent, tossing 4 1/3 scoreless innings and struck out six batters. Holloway has struggled as a starter, but appears to be a legit option out […]

David Price Could Be Stretched Out On Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher David Price has not been used out of the bullpen for long outings this season. In fact, his longest outing of the year was 2 2/3 innings, which is obviously not what fantasy managers want to see. The hope is that Price will be able to pitch three innings versus the […]

Chad Green Notches Third Save

New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green picked up his third save of the season in Wednesday's victory over the Seattle Mariners. Green worked his first save opportunity since May 27 and didn't disappoint, fanning two batters in the ninth to lock up the win. The veteran reliever has excelled in a jack-of-all-trades role this […]

The Bigger Picture - Searching for Second-Half Splits

We must mentally brace ourselves for the darkest period of the calendar year - three days without a Major League Baseball game and one day without a regular-season game from any of the major professional sports. As fans, we hate the break. The players understandably love it and have been looking forward to the time […]

Anthony Bender Earns His First Win

Miami Marlins rookie relief pitcher Anthony Bender picked up his first major league win in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. More important than the win was the fact that Bender was used as the closer, coming into a one-run lead in the ninth inning. Yimi Garcia has been closing for the Marlins for […]

Jordan Holloway Shines Out Of The Bullpen On Wednesday

Miami Marlins rookie pitcher Jordan Holloway was excellent out of the bullpen in Wednesday's win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. In a Don Mattingly managed bullpen game, Holloway followed opener Ross Detwiler after Detwiler was left in to give up five runs in just 2 2/3 innings. Holloway settled everything down immediately though, and provided […]

Alec Mills Snags Fourth Victory

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Alec Mills recorded his fourth victory of the season on Wednesday versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Mills went 5 2/3 innings and allowed five hits, three runs, one walk and struck out five. Mills started the season out of the bullpen and was expected to lose his spot in the rotation when […]

Erik Swanson Activated From The Injured List

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Erik Swanson (groin) was removed from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday evening. Swanson has been on the shelf since the end of May because of a right groin strain, so his activation is good news for a team that will now be without Justus Sheffield (forearm) for at least a […]

Daniel Hudson Activated On Wednesday

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Daniel Hudson (elbow) was activated from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. The veteran has been out of the lineup since June 12 because of right elbow inflammation. Hudson is sporting a 2.59 ERA and 35 strikeouts throughout just over 24 innings of work this season but has the most fantasy […]

Heath Hembree Picks Up Fourth Save

Cincinnati Reds right-hander Heath Hembree tossed a scoreless ninth inning to save a 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday. Hembree did not allow a baserunner and struck out one in the frame. The veteran reliever has taken on a high-leverage role in the Cincy bullpen of late, having picked up three saves […]

Joe Smith Returns From Injured List

The Houston Astros activated relief pitcher Joe Smith (elbow) from the 10-day injured list on Wednesday and optioned infielder Taylor Jones to Triple-A Sugar Land in a corresponding move. Smith has been out since June 9 with right elbow soreness and had a rough 6.23 ERA and 1.78 WHIP in 17 1/3 relief innings for […]

Gregory Soto Converts Two-Inning Save On Wednesday

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Gregory Soto converted a two-inning save opportunity in the team's 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. Soto pitched a pair of scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out three. The save was his seventh of the year. He now has a 2.78 ERA and 1.32 […]

Julian Merryweather Not Close To A Return

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (oblique) has suffered a setback while increasing his baseball activities, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. He has resumed his throwing program, but doesn't appear close to a return. It's not surprising to see the Jays being cautious with their young arm. He was pitching extremely well during his […]

Trevor Rosenthal Won't Pitch In 2021

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal (hip) will miss the entire 2021 season, according to manager Bob Melvin. The veteran reliever will undergo hip surgery to repair a torn labrum. Rosenthal has not pitched for the A's this season since he underwent thoracic outlet surgery in early April. He signed a one-year deal worth over […]

Jake Reed To Serve As Opener Against Marlins Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Jake Reed will get the nod to start on the mound on Wednesday against the Miami Marlins. Reed will serve as the opener in this one, so fantasy managers shouldn't expect him to go long enough to qualify for a potential win. The 28-year-old has gone just two-thirds of an inning […]