Astros Add Brooks Raley To Injury-Depleted Staff

Left-handed pitcher Brooks Raley has been claimed off waivers by the Houston Astros after having been designated for assignment by the Reds earlier in the week. Houston’s bullpen issues have been exacerbated by elbow injuries to Roberto Osuna and Chris Devenski, which have forced rookies and inexperienced arms into key situations. Raley was back on […]

Sean Doolittle Not A Fantasy Option At This Stage

Washington Nationals left-handed pitcher Sean Doolittle has been open about not yet having answers to correct what has gone wrong for him on the hill in 2020. With Daniel Hudson now entrenched as the team’s closer moving forward, Doolittle -- who yielded two home runs Saturday to bring his ERA to 18.00 -- is no […]

Scott Barlow Records First Save Of Season Sunday

Kansas City Royals right-handed pitcher Scott Barlow notched his second career save and first of the season Sunday against Minnesota. While the outing was impressive for Barlow, it’s actually more noteworthy that he got the ball in front of Ian Kennedy, who seems to have been officially supplanted in the ninth-inning role by Trevor Rosenthal. […]

Pirates-Cardinals Series Cancelled Due To COVID-19 Concerns

The upcoming series between the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals that was scheduled for Monday-Wednesday has been officially cancelled as the Cardinals continue to work through the positive COVID-19 tests that have dismantled their 2020 season. Monday’s contest had already been wiped out, but now the whole series will be tabled, making it at […]

Zach Britton Takes His First Loss Of The Season

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton was tagged with the loss on Sunday, allowing a walk-off run against the Rays on Sunday. Britton failed to generate a single whiff over his 19 pitches, and a pair of hard-hit balls allowed the Rays to drive in the winning run. Sunday’s loss breaks a 68-appearance streak […]

Latest Cardinals Tests Come Back Negative

The St. Louis Cardinals have been tested recently and they've come back negative, according to Jon Heyman. The team hasn't played since July 29 after a COVID-19 outbreak hit their roster. The league has reportedly postponed their game on Monday against the Pirates, though perhaps there's a chance they can play sometime this coming week.

Craig Kimbrel Works Scoreless Inning In Simulated Game

Chicago Cubs reliever Craig Kimbrel worked a scoreless inning in a simulated game at Wrigley Field. Kimbrel threw 11 pitches, allowing one hit and striking out two batters. Manager David Ross said that he looked "more like the Craig we've seen flashes of", as he generated more swing-and-miss stuff. Ross also said that the team […]

Jarlin Garcia Activated From Injured List, Available Sunday

San Francisco Giants left-handed pitcher Jarlin Garcia has been reinstated off of the 60-day injured list ahead of Sunday’s contest against the Dodgers. Garcia made 53 appearances last season out of relief for Miami, producing a 3.02 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP. He was particularly difficult to hit at pitcher’s friendly Marlins Park, where he […]

Rays Put Oliver Drake On IL, Activate Manuel Margot

Tampa Bay Rays right-handed pitcher Oliver Drake landed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to biceps tendinitis in his throwing arm. With Drake down, outfielder Manuel Margot was cleared to return from the bereavement list, entering the starting lineup and playing center field in his first game back. Drake has served as the Rays’ […]

Oliver Drake Hits IL With Biceps Tendinitis

Tampa Bay Rays have placed reliever Oliver Drake on the 10-day IL with right biceps tendinitis, and have recalled right-hander Ryan Thompson in a corresponding move. Drake converted two early saves for the Rays this season before giving up runs in three-straight outings, raising his ERA to 3.38 on the year. Nick Anderson owners can […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the August 9th 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 4

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 […]

Jeurys Familia Regresses on Saturday Against Marlins

New York Mets relief pitcher Jeurys Familia turned in a rough appearance in the Mets 8-4 win over the Marlins on Saturday. In just 2/3 innings pitched, Familia walked three of the five batters he faced, allowed one hit, and two earned runs. Familia now owns a bloated 5.68 ERA and 1.89 WHIP in 6 […]

Raisel Iglesias Nails Down Second Save

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve a 4-1 win over the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday. Iglesias struck out two on the way to earning his second save of the season. It has been slow going in the early portion of the season for Iglesias, who has only received two […]

Trevor Gott Earns Fourth Save Of Season Saturday

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Trevor Gott picked up his fourth save of the season in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Dodgers. Gott pitched a scoreless ninth inning with no hits and a walk with no strikeouts. He has now converted all four of his save opportunities with a 1.80 ERA and two strikeouts over […]

Anthony Bass Nails Down Third Save

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Anthony Bass pitched a clean ninth inning in the team's 2-1 win over the Red Sox Saturday, earning his third save of the year. He only needed eight pitches for the save, and he's now gone 6 1/3 scoreless innings to start the season. The right-hander doesn't have a prototypical power […]

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 […]