Closers and Saves Report - Week 3 Waiver Wire

Before this 60-game season started, we all knew every little thing would matter more. We knew that every game was, essentially, 2.7 times as important as a regular game in a 162-game season. We knew managers would have much shorter leashes on their underperforming players, and perhaps much quicker promotions for the quick starters. But […]

Cubs Vs. Cardinals Game Postponed On Friday

Friday's scheduled game between the Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Cardinals has been postponed due to another positive COVID-19 test. The Cardinals have had their season paused after a bunch of positive tests, but they were cleared to return to play on Friday before a new positive test threw a wrench in those gears. […]

Touki Toussaint Strong In Thursday's No-Decision

Atlanta Braves starter Touki Toussaint allowed three runs on four hits across 6 2/3 innings of work during Thursday's 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. The 24-year-old right-hander was cruising through six innings before the Blue Jays managed to put a two-run rally together. Toussaint struck out a career-high nine batters without issuing a […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 7th 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 […]

Brandon Kintzler Escapes With His Third Save On Thursday

Miami Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler earned his third save of the season in Thursday's win over the Baltimore Orioles. He wasn't great, allowing a run on three hits, but he was able to record three outs and save the 8-7 win for the red hot Marlins. Kintzler makes for a better "real life" closer than […]

Tyler Anderson Pitches Well In Spot Start Thursday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Tyler Anderson turned in a great performance in Thursday's 6-4 loss to the Rockies. Anderson pitched five innings, allowing no runs on two hits and two walks with three strikeouts. The 30-year-old has now made two starts and four total appearances and owns a 2.19 ERA with seven strikeouts over […]

Ryan Pressly Gets Save Chance Thursday

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Ryan Pressly has not officially been announced as the club’s closer in the wake of Roberto Osuna’s (elbow) injury, but he was tasked with pitching the ninth Thursday against Arizona. Pressly had appeared just once all season, but with the Houston relief corps severely undermanned, he would seemingly make the most […]

Taylor Rogers Blows Save Against Pirates

Minnesota Twins closer Taylor Rogers blew his first save of 2020 and was saddled with the loss against the Pirates on Thursday. Rogers gave up three hits in the ninth, including a single that made it through the Twins' drawn-in infield. The 29-year-old was probably due for a bad outing, considering he had surrendered just […]

Kelvin Herrera Inks Deal With Cubs, Eyes Bullpen Spot

Right-handed pitcher Kelvin Herrera has latched on with the Cubs after a brief two-game tenure with the White Sox to open 2020. Things went sideways for the veteran righty to start the year, yielding four runs in 2 ⅓ innings. While his 2019 numbers (6.14 ERA in 51 ⅓ frames) aren’t promising either, Herrera has […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 6th 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 […]

Kwang Hyun Kim Enters Starting Rotation, Closer Spot Open

St. Louis Cardinals left-handed pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim has been tabbed to take the rotation spot left voided by Carlos Martinez, thereby opening up Cardinals closer’s duties. Kim served predominantly as a starter during his time in Korea, but opened the year in the St. Louis bullpen as injuries and absences piled up. Having compiled […]

Braves Activate Will Smith On Thursday

Atlanta Braves reliever Will Smith (COVID-19) has been activated by the team and will be active in the bullpen for Thursday's contest against the Blue Jays. Smith has been recovering after a positive test and was able to throw a simulated game session on Thursday. While he will have competition for saves from fellow reliever […]

Week 3 MLB Closers & Bullpen Usage Report

As this weird, altered season progresses, the imbalance in the schedule becomes a bigger and bigger issue. Some teams have already played double-figure games, while others have played just a single series. This imbalance is obviously troublesome for the standings with the playoffs not all that far off in the grand scheme. It is also […]

Top 50 Prospects for Fantasy Baseball Redraft: Week 3 Rankings

We have yet to play two full weeks of the Major League Baseball season but we’ve already witnessed a great many things in 2020 — some good, some not so good. But, on the plus side, this crazy season — and its 30-man rosters — has afforded quite a few opportunities to MLB rookies, especially […]

Tyler Anderson Starting For Giants Thursday

San Francisco Giants reliever Tyler Anderson will get the nod for Thursday's road series finale versus the Rockies. He'll work as a glorified opener since he'll throw only two or three innings, making him avoidable for fantasy purposes if the threat of Coors Field wasn't enough. Anderson was a contender for save opportunities back in […]

Cam Bedrosian Not Throwing Yet

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Cam Bedrosian (groin) is rehabbing but is not yet throwing after getting placed on the injured list Tuesday. He suffered a right adductor strain, but he's not sure exactly how the injury happened. Bedrosian last pitched on Sunday and had pitched 4 1/3 innings this season, allowing one run with […]

Eric Lauer To Start Friday For Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers have announced that they'll send left-hander Eric Lauer to start against the Reds on Friday. It will be Lauer's first career start for the Brew Crew after getting acquired by the club in the Trent Grisham trade this offseason. He made one appearance out of the bullpen so far this season, and […]

Anthony Bass Records Second Save

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass ran into a bit of trouble in the ninth inning during the team's 2-1 victory over the Braves, but got through the frame unscathed for his second save of the season. He issued a single and a walk with one out in the inning before Adam Duvall grounded into […]

Ryan Thompson Optioned To Alternate Training Site

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Ryan Thompson was optioned to the team's alternate training site on Wednesday evening. The team had to reach the 28-person roster limit prior to Thursday's contest. Thompson impressed during summer camp, but never found a concrete role for himself in the Rays' bullpen. He posted a 1.50 ERA with four strikeouts […]

Brandon Kintzler Picks Up His Second Save

Miami Marlins closer Brandon Kintzler picked up his second save of the season in Game 1 of Wednesday's double header. Kintzler became the first Marlins pitcher to pitch just the seventh inning and earn a save. While he won't strike out a ton of hitters, Kintzler is good at getting guys out and should hold […]

Zach Britton Picks Up His Fifth Save

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton picked up his fifth save of the season with a clean inning against the Phillies on Wednesday. The Yankees had provided the fourth most save opportunities coming into Wednesday, and Britton has been excellent so far, having allowed only two baserunners over his first five appearances. Even with […]

Jose Quintana To Throw Simulated Game On Thursday

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jose Quintana (thumb) is scheduled to throw a two-inning simulated game on Thursday. Quintana threw a trio of bullpen sessions over the past week without reporting discomfort, and the Cubs are now focusing on stretching Quintana out so that he can pitch deeper into games. As long as Thursday’s game goes […]

Nick Burdi Shut Down For 2020 Year, Bucs Bullpen In Flux

Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi has been placed on the 45-day injured list due to a right elbow injury, ending his 2020 campaign just as it was beginning. Having notched his first big league save back on July 28, Burdi was holding down the Pirates’ closer’s role for the time being, having showcased a […]

Josh James Headed For Bullpen Role To Bolster Relief Corps

Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Josh James made two shaky starts to kick off 2020 and manager Dusty Baker announced Wednesday that he would be heading to the bullpen for the time being. James has walked a Major League-high 11 batters in his six innings this year, and with Houston’s bullpen trying to keep itself above […]

Kenley Jansen Says Conditioning Improving Each Week

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen said he is still recovering from his bout with COVID-19. Jansen feels his conditioning getting better week-by-week and believes he'll look back in October and see how much better it will be. Still, the 32-year-old has looked pretty good for someone who arrived at summer camp late, pitching five […]

Kwang-Hyun Kim To Join The Rotation

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kwang-Hyun Kim, who was working as the team's closer, will leave the bullpen and join the rotation. Kim had a 2.51 ERA and an impressive 180/38 K/BB ratio in the KBO. He was originally signed to be a starter, so it was surprising to see him open the season in the […]

Rafael Montero Close To Returning

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Rafael Montero (elbow) threw an inning on Wednesday and the Rangers alternative site. Montero has been sidelined with elbow tendinitis, but appears to be on track to join the club at some point this weekend. With the Rangers losing Jose Leclerc (shoulder), Montero could find himself in the closer role. Montero […]

Keone Kela Throws Bullpen Session

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Keone Kela (COVID-19) threw a bullpen session on Wednesday. Manager Derek Shelton said on Tuesday that Kela would close once he’s activated, but there is currently no timetable for his return. Kela had a 2.12 ERA in 29 2/3 innings for the Pirates in 2019 and owners looking for saves should be […]

Alex Reyes Recalled To Big League Roster

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Alex Reyes will join the Major League roster ahead of Friday’s game against the Cubs. Reyes, who rejoined the team in July after having tested positive for COVID-19, has been unable to remain healthy enough to impact the Cardinals since 2016. Heralded as one of the game’s premier pitching prospects, […]

Ariel Jurado Acquired By Mets, Joins Alternate Camp

Right-handed pitcher Ariel Jurado was a primetime prospect coming up through the Rangers’ organization, but after two lackluster big league seasons, the 24-year-old was designated for assignment, whereby the Mets claimed him Wednesday. Despite having 44 appearances (26 starts) to his resume, Jurado was reassigned to the team’s alternate training site. Not much jumps off […]