Rafael Montero Delivers Second Straight Save

Texas Rangers right-hander Rafael Montero has now reeled off saves in back-to-back contests, seemingly having taken over the closer’s role with Jose Leclerc on the injured list. Prior to Friday, Montero had never recorded a save in his career, but he has retired all six batters that he has faced in the ninth. After being […]

Josh Hader Untouched In 2020, But Few Chances Had

Milwaukee Brewers closer Josh Hader has allowed just one baserunner through his team’s first 12 games. The issue is that Hader has pitched in just three innings combined of those contests, having earned two saves with three strikeouts to his credit. An elite closing option, Hader has been little utilized, even as he has not […]

Miguel Castro Locks Down First Save Of 2020

Baltimore Orioles right-hander Miguel Castro worked the ninth inning of Saturday's win over the Nationals, picking up his first save of the season. While it’s unclear if Castro has permanently supplanted right-hander Cole Sulser, he has now compiled 10 strikeouts across 7 ⅓ scoreless innings out of relief this season. A stalwart of the Baltimore […]

Ken Giles Feeling Better, But Still Hasn’t Played Catch

Since July 26, Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles has been shut down to right elbow soreness. Manager Charlie Montoyo said Saturday that while Giles hasn’t progressed enough to even play catch, he indicated that the right-hander was feeling vastly better as he does arm and running exercises. Still, that update indicates that if Giles […]

Trevor Rosenthal Pushing Ian Kennedy For Closer’s Role

The Kansas City Royals appear to be utilizing the duo of Trevor Rosenthal and Ian Kennedy as their closer to begin the 2020 year. Manager Mike Matheny has demurred as it pertains to naming one man to the role after Rosenthal locked down the save Friday, his second of the year. If owners are in […]

Jake Diekman Picks Up Fourth Hold

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Jake Diekman allowed one hit and picked up one strikeout while earning his fourth hold of the season Saturday vs Houston. Diekman has been the A's primary setup man for closer Liam Hendriks and has been stellar thus far in 2020. Diekman has a 36 percent strikeout rate and is among […]

Rafael Montero (RP, TEX) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 3% of leagues ANALYSIS: Rafael Montero was activated off the injured list on Friday and promptly added his name to the seemingly never-ending list of pitchers who have recorded a save in 2020, striking out two in a clean ninth inning. The Texas Rangers are more likely […]

Liam Hendriks Picks Up Fifth Save

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks allowed a run, but picked up his fifth save of the season Saturday vs Houston. Hendriks was called on to protect a three-run lead and allowed two of the first three batters faced to reach base, one of them scoring. That was all the Astros could muster, however, as […]

Pedro Strop Facing Extended Absence With Groin Injury

Cincinnati Reds right-handed pitcher Pedro Strop left Friday’s contest against Milwaukee early due to a groin ailment. Manager David Bell announced Saturday that Strop could miss an extended period of time due to the injury, zapping the little season-long fantasy intrigue that he possessed. After years of being a stalwart in the Cubs’ bullpen, Strop […]

Trevor Gott (RP, SF) - Week 4 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: The San Francisco Giants went into the season without a confirmed closer but heading into week 4 of the season, it has become clear that Trevor Gott is their 9th inning guy of choice as no one else has recorded a save for the Giants yet. […]

Richard Bleier Ends Up On The Injured List

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Richard Bleier was placed on the 10-day injured list due to a mild left elbow triceps strain. Bleier was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles at the beginning of this month and had pitched fairly well out of the Marlins bullpen, but now he'll be forced to miss at least 10 days. […]

Richard Bleier Placed On IL With Triceps Strain

Miami Marlins left-handed pitcher Richard Bleier has hit the 10-day injured list due to a mild left triceps strain. Bleier recorded his third consecutive hold Friday against the Mets, but departed after just nine pitches. Having allowed just two hits through his first 4 ⅔ innings this year, Bleier figured to become a mainstay of […]

Hunter Harvey Aiming For Late August Return

Baltimore Orioles right-handed pitcher Hunter Harvey has been sidelined thus far in 2020 due to an elbow injury. But manager Brandon Hyde made the point Saturday that the team hopes to have its former top prospect back by the end of August. The righty is reportedly “feeling great” as he aims to rejoin Baltimore’s bullpen […]

Aaron Bummer Lands On Injured List With Biceps Injury

Chicago White Sox left-handed pitcher Aaron Bummer has officially been placed on the 10-day injured list after departing Friday’s game with a biceps ailment on his pitching arm. Manager Rick Renteria reiterated that he hoped it wouldn’t be anything of significance beyond the time that Bummer will have to miss over the next week. A […]

Kirby Yates Still Elite Closer Option After Rocky Start

San Diego Padres closer Kirby Yates had two straight two-run outings at the end of July that will definitively damper his ERA for the remainder of 2020. In such a shortened season, owners will have to rely on stuff and pitch mix moving forward, rather than gaudy small sample size stats. Following another save Friday, […]

Corbin Burnes Doesn’t Have Defined Role Moving Forward

Milwaukee Brewers right-handed pitcher Corbin Burnes has pitched once out relief and once out of the starting rotation this season. Where will his next appearance come? Manager Craig Counsell won’t say. Citing it to be in the club’s interest to not announce when Burnes is pitching, owners are left in flux as to what kind […]

Brandon Workman Collects Third Save of Season

Boston Red Sox closer Brandon Workman worked a clean ninth inning to earn his third save of the season in Friday's 5-3 victory against the Blue Jays. The 31-year-old received tremendous support from his defense with the first batter he faced, as infielder Travis Shaw crushed a ball over the right fielder wall that was […]

Evaluating Rookie Performances - Week 4

Happy Jo Adell week everyone! It may not have been the most thrilling way for Adell to begin his big league career, with a whimper of a single followed by a quad injury two days later, but there’s still plenty to discuss with the Angels’ new slugger and some fellow rookies who made headlines this […]

Julio Urias Effective In No-Decision

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Julio Urias allowed one run on three hits across four innings of work during Friday's 7-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. He struck out two batters while walking two. The 23-year-old needed 78 pitches to complete the four frames, so it was not the most efficient effort. Nevertheless, Urias mitigated […]

Devin Smeltzer Has So-So Outing

Minnesota Twins pitcher Devin Smeltzer pitched 4 1/3 innings against the Royals, allowing two runs while walking one and striking out a pair. Smeltzer left in a tie game so he couldn't factor into the decision, though it was a somewhat successful debut for his new slider. The 24-year-old threw the pitch 15 times and […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 8th 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 […]

Pocket Aces: Week 4 Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2020 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis. In this episode he breaks down some of his recommend players to target as fantasy baseball waiver wire pickups and adds for Week 4 of the 2020 MLB season. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller […]

Adam Ottavino Takes The Loss On Friday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Adam Ottavino took the loss on Friday, allowing one run over one inning of work. A pair of walks were Ottavino’s undoing on Friday, but there don’t appear to be any long-term concerns regarding his control. The primary issue for Ottavino’s fantasy value is his role; as a part of […]

Nick Vincent Earns A Save On Friday

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Nick Vincent earned a save on Friday, his first since the 2016 season. With Brad Boxberger and Brandon Kintzler both unavailable due to recent usage, Vincent stayed in to pitch the ninth inning after getting the Marlins through the eighth. He ended up with 1 2/3 innings pitched, allowing one hit […]

Ryan Helsley Tests Positive For COVID-19

St. Louis Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley has tested positive for COVID-19 as announced by the team on Friday. Fellow reliever Austin Dean also tested positive, pushing the Red Birds to nine positives this week and forcing the league to postpone their weekend series versus the Cubs. Helsley was a candidate for saves entering the season, […]

Nick Vincent Picks Up Save For Marlins

Miami Marlins reliever Nick Vincent picked up the save in 1.2 innings of work on Friday. Vincent was signed to a minor league contract at the end of July but was called up as the Marlins' roster began to thin after a COVID-19 outbreak. While it's good for Vincent that he locked down the save, […]

Aaron Bummer Leaves Game With Bicep Soreness

Chicago White Sox pitcher Aaron Bummer (biceps) left Friday's game with left biceps soreness. Bummer pitched 1.2 innings, allowing a hit and walking a pair before being replaced by fellow reliever Evan Marshall. White Sox manager Rick Renteria said that Bummer will be re-evaluated on Saturday. The 26-year-old had 12 strikeouts in 5.2 innings pitched […]

Rafael Montero Activated From Injured List

Texas Rangers reliever Rafael Montero (elbow) has been activated off the 10-day injured list. Montero threw an inning on Wednesday at the team's alternate training site and it went well so he's now able to join the big club. Texas is in need of a steady presence in the ninth inning after Jose Leclerc (shoulder) […]

Braves and Phillies Game Postponed Due To Weather

Friday's game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies has been postponed due to inclement weather. The teams will play a doubleheader on Sunday. Owners in daily lineup formats and DFS players should remove any Braves and Phillies in their lineups.

Robert Gsellman Activated Off The IL

New York Mets relief pitcher Robert Gsellman (triceps) was activated off the injured list on Friday. Gsellman missed, roughly, the first two weeks of the 2020 season. In 2019, Gsellman produced a 4.66 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and struck out 60 in 63 2/3 innings pitched. Gsellman allowed only a 3.7% overall barrel rate and overall […]