The Baller Ranks: Weekly Top 101 Relief Pitcher Rankings

We're cruising through May and yet there are still so many uncertain, fluid bullpens to peruse in my 2021 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks, which provides a weekly peek at my top 101 relievers moving forward. It's finally time to ramp it up to true 101 Dalmatians form. This is geared towards traditional 5x5 roto leagues […]

Fantasy Baseball Trade Targets for Week 7

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, […]

William Smith Bombed By Blue Jays

Atlanta Braves pitcher William Smith was crushed by Toronto Blue Jays hitters in the ninth inning of Thursday's game, which led to an 8-4 loss. The veteran closer allowed four runs on five hits in just one-third of an inning. Prior to this game, Smith had not allowed a run in his last six appearances. […]

Garrett Whitlock Locks Down Three-Inning Save

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Garrett Whitlock took over for Garrett Richards to start the seventh inning Thursday, and pitched the final three innings to pick up an unconventional save. It was his first of the season. All told, he allowed one run on three hits and a walk while striking out two. Whitlock has […]

Tyler Rogers Earns Third Save Of Season Thursday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers picked up his third save of the season in Thursday's 3-1 win over the Pirates. Rogers entered the game in the ninth inning up by two and allowed no runs on a single and no walks with no strikeouts. Manager Gabe Kapler was planning to give closer Jake […]

Liam Hendriks Earns Seventh Save

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks picked up his seventh save of the season versus the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Hendriks was called upon in the top of the eighth inning with two runners on with one out and got the White Sox out of a big jam to maintain a 3-2 lead at the […]

Gregory Soto Fails To Close Out Thursday's Game

Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto was called upon to record the save in Thursday's series finale against the Kansas City Royals. However, he was unable to get the job done, allowing two hits, a walk and two earned runs while recording just one out. He was pulled from the game and Michael Fulmer took over […]

Michael Fulmer Records Second Save On Thursday

Detroit Tigers pitcher Michael Fulmer closed out the team's 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Thursday to earn his second save of the year. The team's primary closer Gregory Soto initially came in to close things out in the ninth but couldn't get things done. Fulmer took over after Soto allowed two hits, […]

Andres Munoz Restarts Throwing Program

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Andres Munoz (elbow) has restarted a throwing program. Munoz is recovering from Tommy John surgery and has not pitched in a game since Sept. 15 of the 2019 season. It is expected that the flame-throwing right-hander won't appear in the majors before August or September, at the earliest, as Seattle wants to […]

Ryan Yarbrough Strikes Out Four On Wednesday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough struck out four batters in 3 1/3 scoreless innings of work against the Yankees on Wednesday. In his second appearance against the Yankees this season, Yarbrough limited them to just two hits once again, as he has allowed just one run on four hits and two walks with eight […]

Rafael Dolis, Anthony Castro Set For Bullpen Sessions

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Rafael Dolis (calf) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday. Reliever Anthony Castro (forearm) is hoping to throw a bullpen this weekend, but he still has some tightness in his forearm. Dolis landed on the 10-day injured list four days ago with a right calf strain, and there […]

Julian Merryweather, Patrick Murphy Progressing

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Julian Merryweather (oblique) has been playing loss toss, while reliever Patrick Murphy (shoulder) threw an 18-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday and will throw again later this week. Murphy is on the 60-day injured list with a sprained AC joint. Relief pitcher David Phelps (lat) is still waiting for the MRI […]

Hunter Harvey On The Verge Of Simulated Games

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Hunter Harvey (oblique) is working out and throwing in Sarasota, Fla., and he's on the verge of throwing in simulated games. Harvey landed on the 60-day injured list with a strained left oblique back in March, so he has yet to pitch this season. The 26-year-old right-handed reliever could return by […]

Yimi Garcia Collects His Sixth Save

Miami Marlins closer Yimi Garcia picked up his sixth save of the season on Wednesday. Garcia came in to protect a 3-2 lead and pitched a scoreless inning, allowing one hit and recording a strikeout. Garcia and the Marlins were saved by a nice play from first baseman Jesus Aguilar, who caught a well-hit line […]

Michael Kopech Will Start Game 2 Of Doubleheader On Friday

Chicago White Sox manager Tony La Russa announced on Thursday that pitcher Michael Kopech will draw his third start of the season in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader versus the Kansas City Royals. Kopech has mainly pitched out of the bullpen, but has made two starts this season. He has looked dominant in both roles […]

Jake Diekman Picks Up The Save At Boston On Wednesday

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win Wednesday at the Red Sox. Diekman recorded two punchouts, but also gave up a long, loud fly-ball that was barely contained by Fenway Park's spacious right-center field. The A's bullpen has been impossible to predict this season, but Diekman has […]

Top 50 Fantasy Baseball Prospects for Week 7

It’s been a long road to get here, but the Minor League Baseball season has finally arrived after more than a year of waiting. Over the past 13 months, prospects from around baseball have been developing their skills at alternate training sites, in extended spring settings, and in their own backyards. This weekly feature evolved […]

Hector Neris Nails Down Save In Tenth Inning Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Hector Neris retired all three batters he faced to earn his seventh save of the season on Wednesday. Neris was able to pitch around the automatic runner on second base while picking up a strikeout in the extra-inning victory. Neris hasn't been dominant, but he's been getting the job done as […]

Alex Colome Works Another Scoreless Frame

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Alex Colome pitched a scoreless frame in a losing effort to the White Sox on Wednesday. Colome hasn't garnered a save chance since being demoted to lower leverage situations, though he has pitched quite nicely. He has yet to allow a run in five innings of work in May with a […]

Gregory Soto Earns Fourth Save On Wednesday

Detroit Tigers closer Gregory Soto closed out Wednesday's 4-2 win over the Kansas City Royals to earn his fourth save of the year. He pitched a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk and no hits while recording one strikeout. It was his first save since April 27, mostly because the 12-24 Tigers have been floundering […]

Josh Hader Notches Eighth Save Against Cardinals

Milwaukee Brewers start closer Josh Hader allowed one hit and one walk while striking out two across one inning to earn the save Wednesday against the Cardinals. Hader came on in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He allowed a double and walk to the second and third batters he faced, but retired […]

Mark Melancon Survives Arduous Outing For 12th Save

San Diego Padres closer Mark Melancon trod thin ice to record a five-out save Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies. In Game 1 of a doubleheader, Melancon entered a precarious situation with two runners on in the sixth in a 5-2 contest. After escaping with just one inherited runner scoring, the Rockies loaded the bases in […]

Devin Williams Picks Up First Win

Milwaukee Brewers shutdown reliever Devin Williams picked up his first decision of the year getting the victory in the Brewers 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals. Williams started the season off slow, but he has now only allowed one earned run across his past 8 1/3 innings spanning nine appearances. The changeup specialist has […]

Liam Hendriks Pitches In Non-Save Situation On Wednesday

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks allowed two hits, one run (zero earned) and struck out three in a non-save situation versus the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday. Hendriks entered the game with the White Sox leading 13-7 in the top of the ninth inning and allowed three baserunners before getting Nelson Cruz, Mitch Garver and […]

Daniel Bard Blows Third Save Of The Season

Colorado Rockies right-hander Daniel Bard blew the save on Wednesday vs. the Padres in Game 2 of their doubleheader when he allowed one run on three hits with two strikeouts over 1 2/3 innings. The Rockies eventually won the game 3-2 in extra innings. Bard entered in the sixth inning with one out and one […]

Aroldis Chapman Remains Perfect In Save Chances

New York Yankees relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman notched his ninth straight save of the season in Wednesday's victory over Tampa Bay. It was slightly concerning when Chapman came out for the ninth and wasn't throwing as hard- especially a night after he had to be checked on by the trainer- though he reared back and […]

A.J. Cole Closes Door On Braves

Toronto Blue Jays reliever A.J. Cole picked up his first save of the season on Wednesday, closing the door on the Braves in the club's 4-1 win. He walked one in the outing while serving up three fly-ball outs to secure his fourth career save. It was just the second appearance of the season for […]

Devin Smeltzer Placed On Injured List With Elbow Inflammation

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Devin Smeltzer (elbow) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday with left elbow inflammation, according to Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com. Smeltzer had made only one appearance so far this year, tossing 4 2/3 innings of relief against the Pirates on April 24. With Smeltzer out, the Twins have recalled […]

James Karinchak Earns Win Wednesday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak earned the win in Wednesday's 2-1 decision over the Chicago Cubs after throwing one inning while allowing one walk and striking out two. Karinchak was brought in to face the bottom of the order in the top of the tenth inning and managed to work around a leadoff walk […]

Sam Hentges Goes 4 2/3 Innings Wednesday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher turned starting pitcher Sam Hentges went 4 2/3 innings pitched while allowing four hits and four walks and striking out six in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs. It was an encouraging start for Hentges considering it is the deepest he has gone since filling in as the Tribe's fifth […]