Jonathan Loaisiga Working On A Slider

New York Yankees relief pitcher Jonathan Loaisiga has been working on a slider this spring and has developed a more reliable changeup, according to manager Aaron Boone. Loaisiga has had mixed results since making his MLB debut in 2018, but his changeup has always been able to generate whiffs at an impressive clip and he […]

Devin Williams Set For Cactus League Debut Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher Devin Williams (shoulder) has yet to appear in a Cactus League outing this spring, but that is on track to change Saturday. Williams is part of the group scheduled to pitch versus Cincinnati, aiming to get ready in time to open the season as a member of Milwaukee's relief corps. The […]

Drew Pomeranz On Track For Return In Coming Days

San Diego Padres left-handed pitcher Drew Pomeranz (forearm) has no structural damage to his left forearm after undergoing testing on the ailment. Pomeranz has dealt with forearm tightness over the past week and a half, throwing San Diego's bullpen plans into flux. Set to be an integral part of the relief corps, Pomeranz could snare […]

San Francisco Nabs Ashton Goudeau Off Waivers

Right-handed pitcher Ashton Goudeau was claimed off of the waiver wire by the San Francisco Giants on Thursday, following his departure from Baltimore. Goudeau made two appearances in Grapefruit League action and struck out five batters over four innings. Goudeau, who was electric during the Arizona Fall League in 2019, made his big league debut […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/18) - Montgomery, Alcantara Surging

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

Using Sabermetrics for Fantasy Baseball: Ballpark Factors

If you have ever selected a streamable pitcher based on home park or benched an otherwise must-start arm at Coors Field, you already know how much a stadium can impact a player's bottom line. Ballpark Factors quantify the influence each stadium has, allowing you to make the most of your fantasy team's real-life schedule. However, […]

Rafael Montero Strikes Out Two

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Rafael Montero threw a spotless sixth inning Wednesday against the Angels, striking out two in the process. Montero is the surefire bet to be the closer in Seattle to start the year, but he has been shaky in early spring action with an ERA sitting at 9.00. His job appears to […]

Daulton Jefferies Strikes Out Six In Three Innings Versus Royals

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Daulton Jefferies allowed two runs in three innings with six strikeouts in a Spring Training game Wednesday. The runs were the first Jefferies has allowed in nine innings this spring. The 25-year-old has only pitched two MLB innings, but has a strong minor league track record including posting a 27.5 percent […]

Alek Manoah Among Players Sent To Minors By Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays sent 25 players to the minor league camp on Thursday, including starting pitcher and former first-round pick Alek Manoah. The hard-throwing righty made a huge impression this spring by dominating the Yankees in two appearances. Although he won't break camp with the Jays, he could possibly help the club late in […]

Trevor Rosenthal Allows One Run In Spring Debut

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal allowed one run in one inning of work in his Cactus League debut Wednesday. It wasn't pretty for the right-hander as he allowed two hits and a walk, but his performance is secondary to the fact Rosenthal was healthy enough to appear in spring action despite a groin injury […]

Taylor Williams Injures Shoulder On Wednesday

San Diego Padres relief pitcher Taylor Williams (shoulder) suffered a shoulder injury during Wednesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. In the sixth inning of the game, he went to cover first base on a play and had to dive to catch a throw from Jake Cronenworth. He landed hard on his left shoulder while diving. […]

Archie Bradley Tosses Scoreless Inning On Wednesday

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Archie Bradley threw a scoreless eighth inning with a strikeout and a walk in a Spring Training game against the Tigers. Bradley has appeared in five games for his new team and has given up one earned run in five innings. Bradley is in the mix for closer duties with Hector […]

Anthony Castro Strikes Out Another Two Batters

Toronto Blue Jays young hurler Anthony Castro continues to get a long look in big-league camp and struck out two batters in a shutout frame against the Yankees on Wednesday. The right-hander was nabbed off waivers from the Detroit Tigers in December but was later designated for assignment by the Blue Jays and remained with […]

Shane Greene Throwing Regularly, Prepared For Next Team

Free-agent relief pitcher Shane Greene, who is one of the top remaining free-agent relievers, has been throwing regularly and imitating a spring training schedule. He will be ready for action upon finding his new team. Greene had a strong season with the Atlanta Braves in 2020. He posted a 2.60 ERA and 1.12 WHIP over […]

Josh James Won’t Be Cleared For Opening Day

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Josh James (undisclosed) is nearing a return to the mound, albeit one that will not have him set in time to take the hill for April 1. James had a recent "physical setback" in his recovery and has not yet appeared in a Grapefruit League contest. After an odd statistical campaign […]

Brusdar Graterol Tosses Bullpen Session Wednesday

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitcher Brusdar Graterol (undisclosed) has been brought along slowly during Cactus League play in 2021, but he was able to throw a 25-pitch bullpen session Wednesday, his latest step in a return to the mound. There were once injury concerns around Graterol's elbow that scuttled a trade involving Boston and Minnesota, […]

Anthony Bender Continues His Perfect Spring

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Anthony Bender pitched another scoreless inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Bender was credited with the win after pitching a perfect ninth inning with two strikeouts and a ground out. He has a perfect 0.00 ERA and has yet to allow a base runner in his […]

Felix Pena Will Miss 2-4 Weeks With Groin Strain

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Felix Pena (groin) will be sidelined for the next two to four weeks due to a strained right groin that he sustained during Cactus League play Monday. Pena was in competition for a multi-inning relief role with the Halos during camp, with his injury all but assuring that he'll begin […]

Anthony Bass Gives Up Two Runs On Wednesday

Miami Marlins expected closer Anthony Bass had a rough outing in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Bass pitched the seventh inning, allowing two runs on two hits and a walk while striking out one. Bass is ticketed for the closer's role according to Marlins manager Don Mattingly, but he will have […]

Adam Cimber Throws Another Scoreless Inning On Wednesday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Adam Cimber contributed another scoreless inning in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the New York Mets. Cimber pitched the sixth inning and retired the side in order. He's sporting a 1.80 ERA in the spring and should pitch significant innings for the Marlins in the regular season. He won't close so […]

Amir Garrett, Lucas Sims Toss Live Sessions Wednesday

Cincinnati Reds relievers Amir Garrett (forearm) and Lucas Sims (elbow) are among those competing for the club's closer gig during spring camp. Both have been eased into the 2021 year, with neither having yet taken the mound for Cactus League action due to respective injuries. On Wednesday, they worked live batting practice sessions, furthering their […]

Thomas Hatch Leaves Start With Injury

Toronto Blue Jays starter Thomas Hatch (elbow, forearm) yelped while delivering his final pitch of the game on Wednesday — a 94 mph fastball. The young pitcher walked off the mound and called to the dugout for assistance. He was seen flexing his fingers and favoring his elbow/forearm area. The Blue Jays released a statement advising […]

Roenis Elias Out For The Year

Seattle Mariners reliever Roenis Elias (elbow, forearm) will undergo Tommy John surgery, knocking him out of the bullpen mix for the entire 2021 season. The Mariners have approached Elias' representatives about a two-year minor league contract, so that he can rehabilitate with the organization this year and compete for a bullpen spot in 2022. Needless […]

Pierce Johnson Exits With Groin Tightness

San Diego Padres reliever Pierce Johnson (groin) exited Tuesday's outing early with groin tightness. Expected to be a key middle reliever for the Friars, Johnson landed awkwardly after a delivery and will be reevaluated Wednesday. After a stint in Japan, the 29-year-old enjoyed a resurgent 2020 campaign, posting a 2.70 ERA and 34 percent strikeout […]

Sam Chinitz's 10 Bold Predictions For 2021

The 2021 MLB regular season is less than one month away, so it’s time for some bold predictions. Last year’s bold predictions didn’t pan out too well for me; if we’re being generous, two out of the ten predictions hit -- and that’s including Corey Kluber posting a sub-3.00 ERA (which technically happened, even if […]

MLB Spring Training Notebook (3/17) - Jorge Polanco Leaves Game

Welcome to the 2021 edition of RotoBaller's Spring Training Notebook. Thankfully, we have real, live baseball being played every day again, and while it doesn't count for anything, these exhibition games gives us the smallest glimmer into players and teams heading into the new season. We're into our third week of spring training games and […]

Starter Prospects that Could be Impact Relievers in 2021

In many ways, Major League Baseball is getting back to normal in 2021. Most importantly for sports fans and fantasy baseball fanatics, this means that the season will be 162 games after experiencing a stunted 2020 season. However, the sudden spike back to 162 games from 60 contests creates headaches for MLB managers. Lance Lynn […]

Dellin Betances' Velocity Down Again

New York Mets right-handed reliever Dellin Betances showed a decline in velocity on Tuesday in Grapefruit League action, an issue that has plagued him since spring training in 2020. Betances' four-seam fastball only averaged 90.6 mph on Tuesday, which was down a couple of mph from earlier this spring. Betances fastball unimpressively sat between 89-92 […]

Charlie Montoyo's 2022 Option Picked Up By Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays picked up manager Charlie Montoyo's 2022 option on Wednesday. The move gives the club some stability for at least the next two years. The decision should be welcomed by fantasy managers as Montoyo has pushed versatility among his players which has increased the fantasy value of players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. […]

Matt Andriese Throws Four Scoreless Innings Of Relief

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Andriese continued to throw the ball well this spring, throwing four scoreless innings in a long-relief appearance against the Braves. Andriese originally came up as a starter with the Rays but has been effective since switching to the bullpen, posting a 3.00 K/BB ratio and a sub-4.00 FIP over the […]