Adam Ottavino Could See Save Opportunities

Boston Red Sox pitcher Adam Ottavino battled with Matt Barnes this spring for the club's closer role. But when Matt Barnes tested positive for COVID-19, the race was left unfinished according to manager Alex Cora. With Barnes now cleared to return to action, he and Ottavino should both work high-leverage situations and both could see […]

T.J. Zeuch Makes Opening Day Roster

Toronto Blue Jays hurler T.J. Zeuch was informed on Monday that he had made the club's 26-man roster for opening day. Veteran pitcher Robbie Ray (elbow bruise) is expected to miss at least one start with an injury. Zeuch has seen his standing with the Jays improve this spring due to a mix of solid […]

Francisco Liriano Granted Release

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Francisco Liriano was granted his release on Monday. He had an opt-out clause in his minor-league contract which he chose to exercise after he learned he would not be making the club out of the spring. The veteran left-hander pitched well this spring and did not allow a run in 7.1 […]

Jairo Diaz Having A Rough Spring

Colorado Rockies reliever Jairo Diaz is having a horrible spring. He's put up a putrid 10.24 ERA, 2.17 WHIP, and 9:4 K/BB ratio over 9 2/3 innings of Cactus League play. The 29-year-old Diaz agreed to a one-year, $1.1 million deal with the Rockies this offseason after spending part of 2020 as the team's closer. […]

Jose Leclerc To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (elbow) will undergo Tommy John surgery and will miss the 2021 season, according to Kennedi Landry of MLB.com. Rangers general manager Chris Young made the announcement one week after Leclerc was shelved with soreness and discomfort in his right elbow. This is a big blow to Leclerc, who missed […]

Brad Hand Ready For Season

Washington Nationals closer Brad Hand told NBC Sports Washington that he is looking forward to pitching in a strong NL East this season. Hand saved 16 games for Cleveland last season while pitching to a 1.73 FIP. However, he allowed an obviously unsustainable zero home runs in 22 innings, leading to a 3.83 xFIP, his […]

Dustin May Hoping To Start Season In Rotation

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May is in a battle to win the fifth spot in the rotation to start the 2021 season. One of May, Tony Gonsolin, or David Price will fill out that position, according to manager Dave Roberts. It is also possible that the team opts to use six starters at some […]

Kenley Jansen Looking Good In Spring

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has pitched well during Cactus League play to start 2021. The 33-year-old reliever has allowed a single run across 6 2/3 innings while striking out 12 batters. His fastball velocity has sat around 92 MPH, and he has only issued one walk. Jansen has been one of the best […]

Justin Wilson To Start The Season On The Injured List

New York Yankees relief pitcher Justin Wilson (shoulder) will start the season on the injured list after dealing with shoulder tightness this spring. Wilson is still expected to avoid surgery and rejoin the team a week or so into the season, but fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progress. A solid reliever with a […]

Zack Britton To Return In May Or June

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zack Britton (elbow) is on track to rejoin the team in late May or early June, according to general manager Brian Cashman. Britton has been sidelined since early March due to a bone chip in his pitching elbow, and he'll miss the first two months of the season as a […]

Ryan Weathers Makes Padres Roster

San Diego Padres manager Jayce Tingler confirmed pitching prospect Ryan Weathers will make the Opening day roster. Despite a 7.11 ERA this spring, the 21-year-old was increasingly likely to crack the squad due to a plethora of injuries to the Friars bullpen. The team's No. 5 prospect will operate as a swingman but could earn […]

Matt Barnes Cleared To Return To Red Sox

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes (COVID-19) has been cleared to return to the team, according to MLB Network's Joel Sherman. Sherman reports that Barnes was ruled to have a "non-infectious positive" diagnosis for COVID-19, and he has been allowed to return to activities, along with the eight others who were held out due […]

Josh James Could Be Swingman On Astros Staff

Houston Astros pitcher Josh James could play multiple roles on the Astros pitching staff this season. James has enjoyed a solid spring and has experience as a starter and out of the bullpen. The 28-year-old struggled mightily last season but the right-hander will get a clean slate to start again. With pitchers like Cristian Javier […]

Tyler Chatwood Will Work Out Of Bullpen In 2021

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Chatwood is expected to work as a reliever with his new club this season. Chatwood began his career as a starter for the Colorado Rockies, but bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen over the past three seasons with the Chicago Cubs. The right-hander has pitched well this spring with […]

Ryan Pressly To Be Astros Closer

Houston Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly is expected to be the closer for the team to start the season. Pressly has pitched only twice during exhibition action but finished last season as the team's closer. Pressly was solid last year, converting 12-of-16 save opportunities with a 3.43 ERA. The 32-year-old has been an integral cog in […]

Patrick Sandoval Ready For Role In 'Pen

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Patrick Sandoval will open the season in the Angels bullpen. Sandoval has enjoyed a solid spring, striking out 18 hitters through 14 innings pitched. Sandoval endured a rocky season in 2020, posting a 5.65 ERA with a whopping 10 home runs through only 36 2/3 innings pitched. The Angels hope to […]

Ty Buttrey Hopes To Produce Out Of Bullpen

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Ty Buttrey is hoping to become a cog in the team's bullpen for the 2021 season. Buttrey has enjoyed a solid spring thus far, posting a 3.86 ERA with seven strikeouts in seven innings pitched. It was a bumpy ride for the right-hander last season, posting 1.41 WHIP and a 5.81 […]

Twins Agree To Five-Year Contract Extension With Randy Dobnak

Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak has agreed to a five-year contract extension with the team. The deal, worth $9.25 million with three club options and the potential to be maxed out at $29.75 million, was made official on Monday. It's a great story, as Dobnak has one of the more unique rises to the big-league […]

Craig Stammen's Durability Earns Him A Roster Spot

San Diego Padres reliever Craig Stammen will once again be a part of the Friars bullpen in 2021. Projected on the roster bubble to start spring training, a plethora of injuries has secured Stammen's fifth season as a reliable middle relief option for the Friars. The 37-year-old faltered last season with a 5.63 ERA (3.36 […]

Matt Strahm Not Close To Returning

San Diego Padres reliever Matt Strahm (knee) will begin the season on the injured list and there's no timetable for his return. He underwent right knee surgery in the offseason and didn't pitch this spring. The 29-year-old southpaw has been a steady presence in the Friars bullpen the past three seasons, posting a 2.61 ERA […]

Austin Adams And Pierce Johnson To Start Season On IL

San Diego Padres relievers Austin Adams (elbow) and Pierce Johnson (groin) will begin the season on the injured list. Both injuries are considered short term. Adams appeared in only one spring game on March 7 and forecasted as a middle reliever prior to the injury. The 29-year-old owns a phenomenal 38 percent strikeout rate in […]

Raisel Iglesias Ready To Lock Down The Ninth

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Raisel Iglesias is ready to hit the ground running as the club's new closer in 2021. Iglesias was acquired in the offseason from the Reds after posting impressive numbers during the shortened 2020 season. The right-hander went 4-3 last season with a 0.91 WHIP, a 2.78 ERA while allowing opponents to […]

Emilio Pagan Could Be A Steal For Saves

San Diego Padres reliever Emilio Pagan could be a steal in drafts for managers scrounging for saves. Listed on RotoBaller as the designated closer, Pagan's dirt-cheap 454 ADP makes him a worthwhile gamble. The 29-year-old struggled with injuries and command in 2020, stumbling to a 4.50 ERA in 22 appearances, but has collected 22 saves […]

Mark Melancon A Lottery Ticket For Saves

San Diego Padres reliever Mark Melancon could be tabbed to close games in 2021. Entering spring training, the ninth inning looked to be Drew Pomeranz' job, but subsequent injuries to the bullpen could lead to a hierarchy reshuffling. The 36-year-old Melancon enters his first year in San Diego after posting a 2.78 ERA with 11 […]

Aaron Bummer Appears To Be Healthy Entering 2021

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Aaron Bummer should be healthy entering 2021. The lefty missed much of the 2020 season with a left biceps strain and a left biceps nerve issue, but has thrown in seven games this spring and allowed four runs in 6 2/3 innings. Bummer has been a mainstay at the back […]

Rafael Dolis To See High-Leverage Situations

Toronto Blue Jays hurler Rafael Dolis (back) is expected to help fill in some of the high-leverage innings that need to be covered in the wake of Kirby Yates' Tommy John surgery. Dolis has been slowed this spring by back spasms and has thrown in just three official spring games but he's been pitching on […]

Jordan Romano A Favorite For Saves

The Toronto Blue Jays won't officially name a closer but pitcher Jordan Romano is expected to pitch in a lot of high-leverage situations in 2021. Veteran free-agent acquisition Kirby Yates was originally named as the Jays' closer but he will miss the full season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Romano allowed just one run this […]

Pierre Camus' Bold Predictions for 2021

Can any prediction really be considered bold after 2020? We hope for a return to normalcy but we also have to remember that the very definition of normal is constantly changing. I've never shied away from pushing the envelope when it comes to this bold predictions column, so this year will be no exception. I […]

Late-Spring Closer Report: Unsettled American League Bullpens

"Spring stats don't matter." "Grapefruit and Cactus League games don't count." "Everyone is just working on something." These are all things we hear before baseball season, and they're mostly true. However, injuries certainly count, and there have been a few major ones already in March when baseball doesn't count. The National League seems to have […]

Lou Trivino Looks Good In Cactus League Play

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Lou Trivino has looked good in Spring Training having thrown 7 1/3 shutout innings over eight appearances. Trivino struck out eight against three walks and only one hit allowed. The 29-year-old righty was the team's eighth-inning man in 2018 pitching to a 2.92 ERA and a 27.4 percent strikeout rate while […]