Ty Buttrey, Felix Pena Will Share Angels Closer Duties

The Los Angeles Angels will utilize the duo of Ty Buttrey and Felix Pena to close out games moving forward, with neither arm officially being tabbed as the full-time closer. Pena picked up the save Thursday against San Diego, while Buttrey has recorded four of the six saves that the club has compiled this season. […]

Houston Activates Chris Devenski From Injured List

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Chris Devenski was activated from the injured list prior to Friday’s contest against the Angels, although manager Dusty Baker indicated that Devenski won’t be used until Saturday. The righty hasn’t appeared since July 26 due to a sore right elbow, with Joe Biagini being optioned to the club’s alternate site to […]

Andrew Miller Faces Activation As Soon As Saturday

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Andrew Miller could rejoin the club’s relief corps as soon as Saturday, per manager Mike Shildt. Miller last appeared Aug. 23 and has since been sidelined due to fatigue in his pitching shoulder. The club has utilized Giovanny Gallegos as its closer without Miller in the mix, although it’s unclear […]

Cubs Bring Back Pedro Strop

The Chicago Cubs have agreed to terms with relief pitcher Pedro Strop. Strop spent the last six and a half years with the Cubs, but signed with the Reds this offseason. Strop has only thrown 2 1/3 innings this season and allowed three runs over that span. The right-hander spent most of his season on […]

Ryne Stanek Gets Activated Friday, Rejoins Bullpen

Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Ryne Stanek was activated off of the injured list prior to Friday’s contest against the Rays. Caught up in the COVID-19 outbreak that decimated the early part of 2020 for Miami, Stanek has made just one appearance out of relief this year, yielding three runs in one frame. Acquired from Tampa […]

Steven Matz, Dellin Betances Toss Off Flat Ground Friday

New York Mets left-handed pitcher Steven Matz and right-hander Dellin Betances both played catch off flat ground Friday, the first step on the comeback trail from their respective ailments. Matz landed on the IL on Sunday due to discomfort in his pitching shoulder, while Betances hit the IL on the same day due to discomfort […]

Jose Alvarado Could Rejoin Bullpen For Playoff Run

Tampa Bay Rays left-handed pitcher Jose Alvarado appears on track to returning at some point in 2020, although it may not be during the regular season. Currently on the IL since Aug. 15 due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder, Alvarado has struck out 13 batters in nine innings of relief this season. But while […]

Ken Giles To Throw Simulated Game Saturday

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Ken Giles (forearm) is expected to throw a simulated game on Saturday. More information should be known about his timetable after the session. He has been sidelined since late July due to a strained right forearm. Giles could be activated soon if everything goes well. Fantasy owners should keep an […]

Nick Anderson Activated From Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Nick Anderson (forearm) has been activated from the 10-day injured list. He has been sidelined the last couple of weeks due to inflammation in his right forearm. However, he has been throwing lately without any issues, so he's expected to jump back into high leverage situations. Anderson should be in […]

Closers and Saves Report - Week 7 Waiver Wire

In the wild 2020 season, it made sense that we had a somewhat wild 2020 trade deadline. The trade deadline is a legitimate baseball holiday, and without an All-Star Game this year, it became the most exciting day in the regular season. The Padres went wild and made all the headlines, acquiring basically a whole […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the September 4th 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 […]

Top 50 Prospects for Fantasy Baseball Redraft: Week 7 Rankings

September is here and the trade deadline dust has settled. It’s now time for teams to make that late push either to make the playoffs or to gain home-field advantages. The Rockies lost two players off the list this week. Sam Hilliard graduated from the list after surpassing the 130 at-bat mark in the Majors. […]

Reynaldo Lopez Gets Sent To Club’s Alternate Site

Chicago White Sox right-handed pitcher Reynaldo Lopez was optioned to the club's alternate site ahead of Thursday’s contest against Kansas City after he lasted just 1 ⅔ frames in his start Wednesday. Lopez has scuffled mightily again in 2020, yielding 11 runs (nine earned) in his first 9 ⅔ innings with eight walks and three […]

Colten Brewer Hits IL Due To Finger Injury

Boston Red Sox right-handed pitcher Colten Brewer has been placed on the 10-day injured list prior to Thursday’s contest against Toronto due to a strained finger on his pitching hand. Brewer recently entered the club’s starting rotation, owning a 5.61 ERA across 11 appearances (four starts) this year. He has struggled particularly with walks (14) […]

Daniel Mengden Lands On Injured List

Oakland Athletics right-handed pitcher Daniel Mengden was placed on the injured list Thursday due to a positive COVID-19 test, which paves the way for left-handed pitcher Mike Minor to join the active roster. Mengden has been utilized primarily as a long reliever this season after making one start in July; all told, he has produced […]

The Baller Ranks: Top 200 Hitters Weekly Rankings (Week 7)

The past week brought us one of the coolest trade deadlines in recent memory. It's always a good time when the GM of an MLB franchise starts making trades like a fantasy manager. The changes for Austin Nola, Mitch Moreland, Jonathan Villar, Starling Marte, and Jon Berti are meaningful, but not with clear fantasy implications. […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the September 3rd 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 […]

The Baller Ranks: Top 101 Relief Pitchers Weekly Rankings

It's now September and in this shortened 2020 season, that means it's time for the Week 7 Relief Pitcher Baller Ranks and our weekly dive into where the top 101 RPs stand moving forward. You can check out my weekly Top 101 Starting Pitcher Baller Ranks as well. I've updated this piece through Sept. 1st. […]

Mark Melancon Grabs Eighth Save Of The Season

Atlanta Braves closer Mark Melancon struck out the side during a perfect ninth inning to close out the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday night. The veteran right-hander is now 8-for-9 in save opportunities this season to go along with a 2.63 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 9/4 K/BB rate. Melancon is not flashy by any means, […]

Robbie Erlin Gives Up Five Runs In No-Decision

Atlanta Braves starter Robbie Erlin allowed five runs on six hits across four innings of work during Wednesday's 7-5 win over the Boston Red Sox. He struck out three batters while walking two. The 29-year-old owns a 7.23 ERA through 18 2/3 innings this season and is only in the rotation due to a multitude […]

Daniel Bard Notches Fourth Save Of 2020

Colorado Rockies reliever Daniel Bard fired a perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save of the season on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants. He struck out two batters in the frame. The veteran right-hander is now 4-for-4 on save opportunities this season and seems to be locked into the closer role. Bard owns […]

David Peterson Shines In Relief Appearance

New York Mets left-handed pitcher David Peterson threw four solid innings in relief in the Mets' 9-4 win over the Orioles on Wednesday. Peterson allowed just two hits and two walks while striking out one batter over his four innings of work. Peterson (4-1) now boasts a 3.03 ERA, a 1.21 WHIP, and 21 strikeouts […]

Josh Hader Notches Save Against Tigers

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader hit a batter and struck out one in one inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 8-5 win over the Tigers. Hader plunked Jorge Bonifacio to start the ninth inning, but retired the next three batters on nine pitches to get the save. Hader hasn't allowed a hit in 12 […]

Anthony Bass Picks Up Fourth Save

Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Anthony Bass locked down his fourth save of the season in the team’s 2-1 win over the Marlins on Wednesday. After ceding the ninth-inning job to Jordan Romano over the last few weeks, Bass returned to the closing role with the rookie landing on the IL over the weekend. The […]

Brandon Workman Earns Eighth Save Of Season

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Brandon Workman pitched a scoreless ninth inning to earn his eighth save of the season Wednesday vs the Nationals. Workman recorded the first two outs of the inning with ease but, allowed the next two batters to reach base bringing the tying run to the plate; he got Luis Garcia to […]

Adam Morgan May Return From Injured List On September 10

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Adam Morgan (shoulder) could rejoin the team as soon as he’s eligible on September 10, according to manager Joe Girardi. Morgan was placed on the injured list with a fatigued left shoulder, but the Phillies expect his stint to be brief and are optimistic that he’ll miss only the minimum 10 […]

Wil Myers, Emilio Pagan Hit Injured List

The San Diego Padres placed outfielder Wil Myers (undisclosed) and reliever Emilio Pagan (biceps) on the injured list on Wednesday. Myers’ injury is a surprise after he homered on Monday, but the team believes he’ll be back “shortly.” He’s enjoying an excellent campaign with a .967 OPS and nine homers. Right field will likely be […]

Pedro Baez, Joe Kelly Nearing Respective Returns

Los Angeles Dodgers right-handed pitchers Pedro Baez (groin) and Joe Kelly (shoulder) are both approaching a return to the club’s bullpen as they work their way back with live bullpen sessions. Baez is slated to throw a bullpen Thursday, with Kelly having thrown one Tuesday. Both are on track to face hitters prior to their activation, which […]

Jose Urquidy In Plans To Start Saturday During Doubleheader

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Jose Urquidy could make his 2020 season debut Saturday during a doubleheader against the Angels. The organization is bringing him up from the alternate site to throw a bullpen in the hopes that he can contribute after a bout with COVID-19 earlier in the summer. Urquidy, ranked as Houston’s No. 2 […]

Greg Holland In Line To Become Royals Full-Time Closer

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Greg Holland is likely to step into the closer’s role over the final month of the season in the wake of Trevor Rosenthal’s trade to San Diego and Ian Kennedy’s calf strain. Holland notched his second save of the year Monday, having accrued a 2.84 ERA over his first 19 […]