Cam Bedrosian Still Without Timetable For Return

Los Angeles Angels right-handed pitcher Cam Bedrosian has been out of the mix since Aug. 3 due to a right adductor strain, and per manager Joe Maddon, Bedrosian is “still not 100 percent,” which leaves him without a timetable for when he could rejoin the club. Bedrosian presumably would be in the conversation for the […]

Giants Option Dereck Rodriguez, Recall Steven Duggar

Prior to Monday's game, the San Francisco Giants called up outfielder Steven Duggar and optioned pitcher Dereck Rodriguez. Rodriguez has made two appearances this year, both in relief, allowing six earned runs over four innings. Duggar will be available for Monday's game and will be part of the team's outfield rotation going forward, though likely […]

Aroldis Chapman Activated; Reclaims Closer’s Role

New York Yankees left-handed pitcher Aroldis Chapman has been officially activated from the injured list ahead of Monday’s contest against the Red Sox. Manager Aaron Boone noted that Chapman would have the ninth inning in a save situation right out of the gate, thereby zapping Zack Britton of much of his fantasy intrigue. It was […]

H2H Points League Pickups, Waiver Adds: Week 5

We almost had it. With the return of the St. Louis Cardinals, we almost had the full league in action. Not so fast, suckers! The pandemic struck again, this time snipping the Reds right out of the schedule. But all we can do is march on and try to win each week. Oh, and trawl […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 17th 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 […]

Fantasy Baseball Injury Updates for Week 5

Injuries are commonplace in all sports. Baseball has seen the rate of injury continue to rise over the past few years. In fantasy, if someone is not in the medical field, it is hard to gauge how long a player will be out and whether they need to be replaced in a lineup. Sometimes this […]

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

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. It's time for the next waiver-wire weekend here at RotoBaller. We're moving quickly here thanks to postponed games, shortened doubleheaders, expanded rosters, teams in quarantine, and a sprint-style season. Don't be afraid to make moves in this fantasy football-esque showdown. We're busy here at […]

Evaluating Rookie Performances - Week 5

The Phillies were the big headline-stealers in the prospect game this past week, calling up both their top pitching prospect, Spencer Howard, and their top overall prospect, infielder Alec Bohm. But they weren’t the only NL East team with significant rookie developments this past week. The Marlins and Mets have some interesting rookies to watch […]

Josh Hader Closes The Door For Fifth Save

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader did not allow a baserunner and struck out one in a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save Sunday against the Cubs. Hader came on to protect a one-run lead in the ninth inning and proceeded to earn his fifth save of the year. Hader has maintained his dominance early, […]

Zack Burdi (RP, CWS) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Very Deep Leagues/Saves+Holds Leagues ROSTERED IN: 0% of leagues ANALYSIS: It hasn't always been the easiest path to the majors for the Burdi brothers of the University of Louisville, and Nick Burdi saw his season ended almost immediately after being named the interim closer for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, Zack Burdi has made […]

Emilio Pagan's Nightmare Season Continues

San Diego Padres reliever Emilio Pagan took the loss Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, serving up a game-clinching three-run homer. Summoned to protect a two-run lead in the eighth, the maligned Pagan relinquished a two-out blast to D-backs third baseman Eduardo Escobar. The 29-year-old has been a major bust since joining the Friars this offseason, […]

Burch Smith Lands On IL, James Kaprielian Called Up

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith has been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right forearm, paving the way for righty James Kaprielian, the club’s No. 13 prospect, to earn the call to the Major League roster. Smith had yet to be scored upon in 2020 prior to his outing Saturday; […]

Yankees To Activate Aroldis Chapman On Monday

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman is expected to rejoin the team on Monday after a lengthy coronavirus-related absence. Manager Aaron Boone was clear that Chapman would reclaim the closer role despite Zach Britton’s success, so Britton’s value takes a significant hit as a result. With a career 2.23 ERA and 30% K-BB, Chapman should […]

Roel Ramirez Gets Destroyed In His Debut

St. Louis Cardinals rookie relief pitcher Roel Ramirez got annihilated in his major league debut on Sunday. He got just two outs, allowing six runs on six hits and a walk. He threw 30 pitches, 17 for strikes, at one point allowing four home runs in a row. It was a disastrous outing for the […]

All 18 Marlins On COVID-19 List Working Out At Alternate Site

All of the 18 Miami Marlins players who were placed on the COVID-19 injured list after last month's breakout are back in Jupiter, Florida at the Marlins alternate site. That means all 18 players have now tested negative at least twice within a 24 hour period and are able to rejoin the team. They will […]

Taylor Williams (RP, SEA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 24% of leagues ANALYSIS: As one might expect from a team that's emerged victorious in just seven of 22 games thus far, the Mariners don't find themselves with a ton of save opportunities. However, three of the five they've had so far have gone to Taylor Williams. While […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 16th 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 […]

Ty Buttrey (RP, LAA) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ty Buttrey appears to be the top candidate for saves right now on the team, despite the fact that he's been anything but smooth in the closer role so far this year. Buttrey has converted just two of his […]

Taylor Rogers Notches Fifth Save

Minnesota Twins closer Taylor Rogers navigated through a bit of a scary inning to notch his fifth save of the season. Rogers surrendered two hits but worked out of his own jam to save the first game of the doubleheader for Minnesota. The 29-year-old is now tied for second in the MLB in saves. True […]

Brad Hand Comes Through With Another Save

Cleveland Indians closer Brad Hand gave up an unearned run on a hit and a walk in the ninth inning Saturday but still came away with his fifth save of the season in a 3-1 win over the Tigers. Hand is not the same dominant reliever he was a couple years ago in San Diego, […]

Tyler Duffey Earns Win Over Royals

Minnesota Twins pitcher Tyler Duffey relieved Jake Odorizzi of his services on Saturday and earned the win in the first game of the doubleheader against Kansas City. Duffey pitched a scoreless inning and struck out one batter. The 29-year-old has eleven punch-outs against no walks in eight innings pitched in 2020. Duffey is relying on […]

Cole Sulser (RP, BAL) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues ROSTERED IN: 23% of leagues ANALYSIS: In true-to-form, bizarre 2020 fashion, the Baltimore Orioles have gotten off to a fantastic start to the year, winning 10 of their first 17 games. As a result, it might mean that this year we need to pay more attention to whoever is closing […]

Burch Smith Exits With Injury After Scoreless Streak Snapped

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Burch Smith entered play Saturday against the Giants not yet having allowed a run in 2020. Before his night was done, he would yield three runs and exit due to injury with righty Lou Trivino taking over for him. Smith has turned himself into a staple of the Oakland relief corps, […]

Brandon Kintzler Takes A Loss On Saturday

Miami Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler took the loss in Saturday's game. He pitched the ninth inning of a tie game and allowed one run on two hits while striking out two. The solo shot he allowed was basically an excuse-me swing from Adam Duvall that somehow banged off the foul pole in left field. Kintzler […]

Andrew Miller Records First Save Of 2020 On Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed reliever Andrew Miller notched his first save of the year Saturday in the second leg of the club’s doubleheader against the White Sox. After Kwang Hyun Kim began the season in the closer’s role, the team has opened the job for competition, with Miller appearing to have first dibs as the […]

Darwinzon Hernandez Could Move Into Rotation

Boston Red Sox reliever Darwinzon Hernandez (COVID-19) is expected to be activated sometime next week after testing positive for the virus in July. He'll initially join the club in a long-relief role, but the inkling is that he'll shift into the starting rotation after he's built up enough arm strength. The lefty will throw three […]

Jose Alvarado Lands On Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado hit the 10-day injured list ahead of Saturday's game with left shoulder inflammation. The southpaw had a rough outing on Friday, giving up two walks and four runs, upping his ERA to 6.00 on the season. Alvarado has done a nice job striking out 13 batters in nine innings […]

Kirby Yates Lands On IL Due To Elbow Inflammation

San Diego Padres right-handed pitcher Kirby Yates has officially been placed on the 10-day injured list due to right elbow inflammation. He was removed from Friday’s game with the ailment, with the team recalling right-hander David Bednar to take his spot on the roster. With Yates out of the mix, Emilio Pagan is the primary […]

A.J. Puk Tosses Bullpen, Could Return In Relief Role In 2020

Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher A.J. Puk is on the comeback trail, having thrown a 20-pitch bullpen session Friday, with the plan being to ramp up to 30 pitches Monday. Manager Bob Melvin expects to have Puk back at some point in 2020, although he would be used in a relief-only role. Puk was anticipated to […]

Trevor Gott Implodes In Ninth Inning Friday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Trevor Gott had an awful outing in Friday's 8-7 extra-innings loss to the A's. Gott came on to start the ninth inning up 7-2. He proceeded to allow a solo home run, walk a batter, hit a batter, and allow a game-tying grand slam before getting the hook. Gott only […]