Points League Waiver Wire Pickups - Week 3

We'll be doing this roundup of point league happenings every week here at RotoBaller, with waiver-wire targets and streaming pitchers being evaluated in terms of the different scoring systems of ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, and Fantrax. Player values can vary wildly from platform to platform, so we'll make sure to highlight where players are the best […]

Nick Mariano's Waiver Picks - Get 'Em While They're Hot (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. Baseball is in full swing and with it, our silly little game and the chaotic overreaction season that comes with early April. I love it, and most of you will find glorious waiver-wire gems coming from dropped players as fantasy teams give up too […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 3 Waiver Wire

Okay, so every season, everyone says things like, "bullpens are wild!" and "bullpens are so unpredictable!" and "why did you ever choose to specialize in bullpens?" All of those comments are valid, and absolutely already pertain to the 2021 season. It's been about a week since Opening Day, and several bullpens have already gone against […]

Reyes Moronta Placed On Injured List With Right Flexor Strain

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Reyes Moronta (flexor) was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a right flexor strain. Outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. joined the team in a corresponding roster move. Moronta missed the entirety of the 2020 season rehabbing from shoulder surgery. His velocity has been down this season but he was […]

Greg Holland Earns Win On Sunday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Greg Holland earned the win in Sunday's 4-3 victory over the Chicago White Sox. Holland pitched two scoreless innings, allowing no hits while walking two. Holland pitched the eighth and ninth innings, then Kyle Zimmer came in for the 10th inning to earn his first save of the year. Holland […]

Kyle Zimmer Records First Save On Sunday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kyle Zimmer pitched a clean 10th inning against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday to earn his first save of the year. He needed just 14 pitches and he recorded two strikeouts in the inning, allowing no walks or hits. It was an odd save situation as the team's presumed […]

Tyler Rogers Earns Fourth Hold Of Season Sunday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Rogers picked up his fourth hold of the season in Sunday's 4-0 win over the Rockies. Rogers came on to pitch in the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second. He walked the bases loaded, but was able to get the third out without allowing […]

Aroldis Chapman Gets A Win On Sunday

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman picked up a win against the Rays on Sunday, tossing a shutout ninth inning with three strikeouts. In typical Chapman fashion, he eclipsed 100 mph with multiple pitches and generated an impressive six whiffs over just 13 pitches (46% swinging-strike rate). Notably, Chapman's fastball usage has continued its downward […]

Albert Abreu Pitches Well In Season Debut

New York Yankees relief pitcher Albert Abreu pitched well on Sunday, shutting out the Rays over a clean inning with a pair of strikeouts. Although Abreu's command appeared to be shaky, he showcased the high-90s mph fastball and strong slider that made him a top-100 prospect in 2018. As exciting as Abreu's arsenal is when […]

Alex Colome Blows Second Save On Sunday

Minnesota Twins relief pitcher Alex Colome was saddled with the loss on Sunday against the Mariners. Colome came on in the ninth inning with a one-run lead looking to pick up his third save of the season but wound up registering his second blown save of the year. The 32-year-old was bound to see some […]

Struggles Continue For Tanner Rainey

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Tanner Rainey allowed a two-run home run to Zach McKinstry in Washington's 3-0 loss to the Dodgers on Sunday. Rainey has now allowed four runs with just one strikeout in two innings in 2021, and this coming off the heels of a poor spring. Rainey is someone who, if closer Brad […]

Liam Hendriks Blows First Save Of 2021

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks blew his first save as a member of the White Sox on Sunday versus the Kansas City Royals. Hendriks started the top of the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead but served up a solo home run to designated hitter Carlos Santana to start the inning. Hendriks would then […]

Rafael Montero Locks Down The Save

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Rafael Montero made quick work of the three Twins batters he faced Sunday, setting down Nelson Cruz, Byron Buxton, and Max Kepler in order to collect the save and complete the Mariners comeback. It was a strong bounce-back outing for Montero after blowing a save in his last appearance. Montero's position […]

Archie Bradley Placed On Injured List With Oblique Strain

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Archie Bradley (oblique) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a left oblique strain. Fellow pitcher JoJo Romero has been recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill his roster spot. Bradley has made four appearances so far this year. He has pitched three innings and allowed four hits, one […]

James Karinchak Strikes Out Side Sunday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher James Karinchak pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday in a 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Karinchak walked the leadoff hitter and then proceeded to strike out the next three hitters he faced. It was a solid appearance for the young Indians' stud, but unfortunately for him, he pitched in the […]

Emmanuel Clase Records Save Sunday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Emmanuel Clase recorded the save for the Indians in Sunday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Tigers. Clase struggled slightly in the ninth as he allowed two baserunners aboard, but ultimately got a strikeout and an inning-ending double play to seal the deal. Clase has now recorded the last two Indians' saves […]

Brusdar Graterol Nearing Return To Action

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol threw 15 pitches in a simulated inning on Saturday. According to manager Dave Roberts, Graterol is close to being ready for big league action. Roberts said that he has "one box left to check -- pitching on 2 out of 3 days." Graterol has been on the injured […]

Zack Britton Progressing Well, Expected Back In Late May

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zack Britton (elbow) was placed on the 60-day injured list to start the year. He underwent surgery to remove a bone chip in his left elbow and is progressing well according to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. Britton began his throwing program this past week and the team expects him to […]

Nick Wittgren (RP, CLE) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 25% of leagues ANALYSIS: Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Nick Wittgren recorded his first save of the season in the Indians’ 4-2 win against the Kansas City Royals last Wednesday. Wittgren threw a clean inning to record the save, which was the first save opportunity for the Indians in […]

Why You Need to be More Aggressive with Prospects This Year

The 2020 season brought two major changes for baseball's minor leagues: the cancellation of the MiLB season and MLB’s decision to cut 40 teams from its MiLB affiliates. That combination has reduced the player pool, increased the MiLB talent levels, and left us with a vacuum of information about prospect development. That last item means that […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the April 11th edition of Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox. Discussing baseball is as fun as the game itself. It has a way of bringing people together to share different opinions about the sport we all love. A similar action can be done with fantasy baseball where we not only discuss topics […]

Cesar Valdez Blows Save Saturday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cesar Valdez blew his first save of the season in Saturday's 6-4 extra-innings loss to the Red Sox. Valdez came in to pitch the ninth inning up a run. He got the first out, but then allowed back-to-back singles. With runners on first and third, Valdez induced a ground ball to […]

Yimi Garcia Earns Save Saturday Against Mets

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Yimi Garcia earned the save on Saturday, striking out one while retiring the side in order to secure a 3-0 victory over the Mets. There had been talk that Garcia could be in line for save opportunities after two blown saves in three appearances from Anthony Bass, and after Saturday's outing […]

Keynan Middleton Records A Save

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Keynan Middleton recorded a save Saturday against the Minnesota Twins, entering the game for the bottom of the tenth inning. Middleton had a good outing, setting down the three batters he faced in order. While this may not be a completely isolated occasion, don't expect Middleton to be taking over the […]

Kendall Graveman Collects A Win

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Kendall Graveman entered in the top of the tenth inning Saturday, and set down the only three Minnesota Twins he faced on seven pitches. Each one of those pitches was a strike. Graveman has been electric to start the year, with five strikeouts and only a single hit and two walks […]

Rafael Montero Blows Another Save

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Rafael Montero entered the game Saturday with an opportunity to collect his second save of the year, but instead registered his second blown save. Montero simply could not find the strike zone, walking two (one intentionally) while also hitting Byron Buxton with a pitch. Montero's job is not in any danger […]

Ian Kennedy (RP, TEX) - Week 3 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues ROSTERED IN: 47% of leagues ANALYSIS: Ian Kennedy has emerged as the Rangers' closer in the early going, which has led to his rostered rate skyrocketing in the last couple of days. If he remains available in your league - pretty close to a coin flip at this point - you […]

Chris Martin Placed On 10-Day Injured List Saturday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Chris Martin (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation according to David O'Brien of The Athletic. Martin had been out since Sunday, after exiting his appearance early when he felt numbness in his fingers on his throwing hand, and he had been listed as day-to-day […]

Victor Gonzalez Records Third Hold Of Season

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Victor Gonzalez recorded his third hold of the young season on Friday in the Dodgers' 1-0 win over the Nationals. It was the fourth appearance for Gonzalez who has established himself as a high leverage relief option in Los Angeles. He is coming off a 2020 campaign in which he […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates - Week 3

Early in the 2021 season, there is a noteworthy injury trend. I have noticed a lot of muscle/tendon sprains/strains to start the season. These injuries include oblique, groin, hamstring and back injuries. Not all of the injuries are alike for each player and should be treated and evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Do not lump […]