Paolo Espino, Luis Avilan Could Open Games

Washington Nationals pitchers Paolo Espino and Luis Avilan could be used as openers this season. Manager Davey Martinez is worried about putting too many innings on pitcher Stephen Strasburg, who only threw five innings in 2020, and potential fifth starter Joe Ross, who threw zero. It doesn't sound like Strasburg or Ross would be used […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Spin Rate

Spin rate has become one of the most recognizable Statcast metrics, with supporters of a given pitcher highlighting his spin rates to make their case. It has also become controversial as of late due to allegations of pitchers using foreign substances to increase their spin. Unfortunately, the baseball world has done a lousy job conveying […]

Nick Neidert Tosses Four Strong Innings On Thursday

Miami Marlins pitcher Nick Neidert pitched well on Thursday in a Grapefruit League game against the Washington Nationals. Neidert was scheduled to pitch four innings in relief and did just that, allowing one run on three hits and a walk while striking out five. Neidert seems like he'll end up in second place in the […]

Nicklaus Gaut: Bold, Bolder, Boldest Predictions

Ahh, the time-honored tradition of making bold predictions is upon us. We hem and we haw; we make outrageous claims like Adalberto Mondesi invented the question mark, and bicker about the proper definition of "bold". In the NotBurtatorium (totally a real word), however, we worry not about this or that definition. Our goals are simple […]

Richard Rodriguez Allows Run In Third Straight Appearance

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Richard Rodriguez allowed a run in his third straight appearance on Thursday, finishing with one run allowed on two hits while striking out one in 1 1/3 innings against the Orioles. After Thursday's appearance, Rodriguez has now allowed three runs on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts in his […]

Stefan Crichton Allows First Runs Of Spring

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Stefan Crichton allowed his first runs of the spring on Thursday, surrendering three runs — two earned — on two hits while striking out one in one inning of work against the Orioles. Crichton had looked solid this spring prior to Thursday's outing, having allowed just four hits and one walk […]

Nick Anderson To Miss First Half Of Season

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Nick Anderson (elbow) will be out for at least the first half of the season with a partially torn ligament in his elbow, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The news comes after a rough outing from Anderson on Wednesday, in which his velocity was down by […]

Randy Dobnak Makes Opening Day Roster

Minnesota Twins pitcher Randy Dobnak has made the Opening Day roster, per manager Rocco Baldelli. The news isn't surprising, given how good Dobnak has looked this spring. He was sharp once again in Thursday's outing against the Red Sox, pitching five innings while allowing one hit and one run with five strikeouts. The 26-year-old has […]

Lewis Thorpe Optioned To Alternate Site

Minnesota Twins pitcher Lewis Thorpe has been sent down to the team's alternate site. This was expected after the Twins were granted a fourth minor league option on Thorpe, who has enjoyed a strong spring, pitching 7.2 innings while allowing four hits, two runs, and a pair of walks compared to eight strikeouts. While he'll […]

RotoBaller Friends & Family Industry Mock Draft Recap

The 2021 RotoBaller Friends & Family Mock Draft is the continuation of an annual tradition where we gather some of the biggest names from the fantasy baseball world and put together a mock draft just as spring training has commenced. Thanks to RT Sports for once again hosting and providing a custom draft site where […]

Kolby Allard, Joe Palumbo Optioned To Minors

Texas Rangers pitchers Kolby Allard and Joe Palumbo were optioned to the alternate training site on Wednesday. Both players entered the spring with solid opportunities to win opening day roles with the club. Allard was actually leading the club in innings pitched this spring with 11.2. He had a 3.86 ERA with a K-BB of […]

Taylor Hearn, Wes Benjamin, John King Make Rangers Roster

Texas Rangers pitchers Taylor Hearn, Wes Benjamin, and John King have successfully made the club's opening day roster. Roles for the three pitchers were not announced but all three have started games in recent seasons. Hearn appeared in 14 games out of the bullpen for the Rangers in 2020 with a 3.63 ERA. Benjamin, a […]

Dane Dunning Makes Rangers Roster

Texas Rangers pitcher Dane Dunning has made the club's opening day roster. The 26-year-old rookie's role is yet to be announced but it's expected that he'll work as a tandem starter for the club. So far this spring, he's allowed just two runs in 8.1 innings (2.16 ERA) with a K-BB of 5-3. Acquired from […]

Jake McGee Has Allowed One Baserunner All Spring

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Jake McGee has had a fantastic spring to this point. As of Wednesday, the 34-year-old has faced 19 batters; he has allowed one hit (a single), has not allowed any walks, and has struck out six. McGee had a successful 2020 season with the Dodgers and showed that he can […]

JB's Bold Predictions for 2021

I'm going to let you in on a little secret... JB stands for "JUST BOLDNESS". Okay that's a lie... it's actually not a secret because I use that every year in my bold predictions intro (three years in a row now, sure saves time on writing a new intro though). Nevertheless, welcome to the latest […]

Justin Wilson Uncertain For Opening Day

New York Yankees starting pitcher Justin Wilson (shoulder) received encouraging results from an MRI on Wednesday, but his timeline remains unclear and it remains possible (if not likely) that he misses Opening Day. Wilson had been a candidate to replace relief pitcher Zack Britton (elbow) as the team's primary set-up man to start the season […]

Liam Hendriks Dealing With Kidney Stones

Chicago White Sox closer Liam Hendriks (kidney stones) will look to make another appearance this weekend after missing the last week of action while dealing with kidney stones, reports Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. Manager Tony La Russa said that the team is hopeful Hendriks will be able to get two or three […]

Tejay Antone "Most Likely" Will Start 2021 In Bullpen

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Tejay Antone will "most likely" be used as a reliever to open the season, reports Bobby Nightengale of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Antone has not pitched in a game since March 17, as he dealt with hip and groin injuries. He appears on track though to be ready for the start of the […]

Jordan Hicks Throws A Scoreless Ninth Inning On Wednesday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks threw a scoreless ninth inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over the New York Mets, earning his first save of the spring. Hicks walked one but did not allow a hit, inducing two ground outs and throwing 17 pitches in his inning of work. The Cardinals will likely […]

Trent Thornton Strikes Out Three Batters

In just his second game since returning from September elbow surgery to remove "loose bodies," Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Trent Thornton (elbow) held the New Yankees scoreless for three innings. The 27-year-old right-hander has now thrown five shutout innings with just three hits allowed and a K-BB of 7-1. His heater was ranging from 91-93 […]

Revamped Phillies Bullpen Making Headlines In Spring Training

The Philadelphia Phillies had one of the worst bullpens in the Majors last season, but offseason acquisitions of Archie Bradley, Brandon Kintzler, and Jose Alvarado have been impressive in Spring Training and should join Hector Neris to be a formidable 'pen. The issue for fantasy managers becomes, "Who gets the saves?" Neris is the incumbent […]

Jordan Lyles Wins Tandem Starter Role

Texas Rangers pitcher Jordan Lyles will open the 2021 season as one of the club's tandem starters. The veteran right-hander continued his solid spring with four innings of one-run ball on Tuesday. So far this spring, Lyles has allowed just two runs on five hits and one walk over seven innings of work. He has […]

Amir Garrett Strikes Out The Side

Cincinnati Reds left-hander Amir Garrett looked dominant in a Cactus League appearance against the San Diego Padres on Tuesday. Garrett threw a scoreless sixth inning, striking out the side in the frame, the second straight outing where the big lefty has gotten all three outs via the strikeout. Garrett missed the early part of Cactus […]

KC Bubba's 10 Bold Predictions for 2021

The 2021 season is so close to starting, which means it is time for some bold predictions. It appears the season will still be a complete 162 games, with no NL DH and a standard playoff format. The bouncy ball will supposedly be replaced with a ball designed to limit power, fun times like usual from […]

2021 Fantasy Baseball Busts - RotoBaller Staff Picks

As you prepare for fantasy baseball drafts in 2021, it's crucial that you avoid the dreaded bust that could sink your team. As we did with draft sleepers yesterday, our staff came together to share their thoughts on preseason ADP values, this time on their least favorite picks. Let's find out who our experts have […]

Kirby Yates Likely Headed For Tommy John Surgery

Toronto Blue Jays closer Kirby Yates is likely headed for Tommy John surgery. Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins told reporters on Tuesday that Yates was "most likely" headed for Tommy John surgery and that the team knew it was a "high-risk, high-reward play" when they inked the right-hander to a one-year, $5.5 million deal […]

Daniel Castano Allows Three Runs In Tuesday's Start

Miami Marlins pitcher Daniel Castano got the start in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Castano pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on five hits while striking out six. He didn't give up any walks, throwing 66 pitches, 47 for strikes. Castano will almost certainly start the season either in the […]

Drew Pomeranz Scheduled To Pitch Friday

San Diego Padres reliever Drew Pomeranz (forearm) is expected to pitch Friday. The 32-year-old southpaw has been sidelined for two weeks with forearm tightness but tests revealed no structural damage. Pomeranz posted a fantastic 1.45 ERA and 40 percent strikeout rate in 20 appearances in 2020, gathering four saves. He's currently the favorite to close […]

Jacob Nix Undergoes Tommy John Surgery

The San Diego Padres confirmed pitcher Jacob Nix (elbow) underwent Tommy John surgery last week. The former prospect debuted in 2018 to a 7.02 ERA in nine starts but had battled elbow issues over the past two years. The 25-year-old was a long shot to make the squad as bullpen depth but will now rehab […]

Josh Hader To Serve As Traditional Closer In 2021

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader will serve as a traditional closer for his team during the 2021 season, per manager Craig Counsell. Hader will be locked into the ninth-inning- with Devin Williams in front of him- a role that should be great news for his fantasy value. The 26-year-old has compiled 50 saves with […]