Drew Smith Throwing Mid-90s And Higher In Camp

New York Mets reliever Drew Smith (elbow), who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, has been throwing mid-90s and above in Mets summer camp, according to Mets manager Luis Rojas. The 26-year-old last pitched in 2018 for the Mets when he posted a 3.54 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 28 innings pitched. Assuming he is […]

Keone Kela Placed On Injured List

The Pittsburgh Pirates placed closer Keone Kela on the injured list on Thursday, but no specific injury was listed, leading us to believe it's related to COVID-19. Kela has also not been active in summer camp and the Pirates haven't provided an explanation for his absence. He was sliding down draft boards as the Pittsburgh […]

Tyler Rogers (RP, SF) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Sleeper

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~ 310 CURRENT ADP: ~368 overall ANALYSIS: Rogers, the brother of Twins closer Taylor Rogers, will get his time in 2020 to save games for the Giants. Rogers has shown the ability to close out games throughout the Giants' farm system, so the ability to finish games has already been established. He […]

Tim Hill Packing His Bags For San Diego

The San Diego Padres acquired reliever Tim Hill on July 16 in exchange for outfielder Franchy Cordero and pitcher Ronald Bolanos. As a left-handed specialist, the 30-year-old fills an immediate need for the Friars with the recent injury to Jose Castillo (lat). With a 4.11 ERA across two big league seasons, Hill will be utilized […]

Franchy Cordero, Ronald Bolanos Traded To Kansas City

The San Diego Padres traded outfielder Franchy Cordero and pitcher Ronald Bolanos to the Kansas City Royals on July 16 in exchange for left-handed reliever Tim Hill. Cordero was logjammed in San Diego as he battled outfielders Josh Naylor and Edward Olivares for a platoon role. With Olivares excelling in summer camp and top prospect Taylor […]

Trevor Cahill Unlikely To Be Ready

It's looking like San Francisco Giants pitcher Trevor Cahill (finger) won't have enough time to ramp up to be ready for the Opening Day roster because of a fingernail issue. Cahill was hoping to win a rotation spot heading into the regular season, but that probably won't be the case for the 32-year-old because of […]

Eduardo Rodriguez, Others Nearing Return

Boston Red Sox pitchers Eduardo Rodriguez, Josh Taylor and Darwinzon Hernandez are all getting closer to rejoining the team after their positive COVID-19 tests. Manager Ron Roenicke stated that all three of the left-handers are making progress as they attempt to return to Fenway Park with the remainder of the team. “All three of them […]

Phillies Release Bud Norris, Add Two To Player Pool

The Philadelphia Phillies released right-handed reliever Bud Norris and added catcher Rafael Marchan and lefty reliever Austin Davis to their player pool on Thursday. Norris was fantasy relevant in 2018 when he saved 28 games for St. Louis, but he didn't pitch in the Major Leagues last season and is a long shot to contribute […]

Ken Giles Expects Jays To Use “Old School” Pitching Approach

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles stated in an interview that he expects the team to use an “old school” pitching approach with starters going deep into games and relievers finishing the last few innings. This philosophy will mean that the right-hander will likely work the ninth inning predominantly instead of playing matchups in the […]

Rafael Montero Not Expected To Be Ready

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Rafael Montero is not expected to be ready in time for Opening Day on July 24 because he's behind the other pitchers in summer camp due to a late arrival because of a family issue. Montero is on the 40-man roster and is out of minor league options, but the 30-man […]

Matt Bowman Throws 35-Pitch Bullpen

Cincinnati Reds reliever Matt Bowman (elbow) threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday. He dealt with some elbow soreness earlier in camp but is working toward being ready for Opening Day. Bowman posted a 3.66 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 27 games for the Reds in 2019. He is likely ticketed for a middle-relief spot […]

Joe Smith Placed On Restricted List

The Houston Astros placed relief pitcher Joe Smith on the restricted list on Wednesday, but Smith has not informed the team of his final intentions for the 2020 season. It was reported earlier that Smith was opting out of the 2020 season due to concerns around the coronavirus pandemic, but he hasn't made a final […]

Miami Marlins: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

The Miami Marlins will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking for […]

Cal Quantrill Unlikely To Win Starting Gig

San Diego Padres pitcher Cal Quantrill is receiving praise in summer camp but may still not earn a starting gig. Battling for the fifth rotation spot with Joey Lucchesi, Quantrill appears destined to play the long-relief and follower role. A former top prospect, Quantrill pitched well in his 2019 rookie year before a 10.90 September […]

Gerson Bautista Strains Right Elbow

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Gerson Bautista has suffered a flexor mass strain in his right elbow. Manager Scott Servais said that Bautista won't need surgery but the strain is likely forcing him to start the 2020 season on the injured list. Though Bautista showed some promise with an above average strikeout rate in the minors, […]

Jordan Hicks Opts Out of the 2020 Season

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Hicks has opted out of the 2020 season, according to the Cardinals official Twitter. Hicks cited pre-existing health concerns as his reason. The hard-throwing closer was going to start the season on the injured list as he completed his recovery from Tommy John Surgery, but was expected to pitch […]

New York Yankees: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

The New York Yankees will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking […]

Zach Britton To Close For The Yankees If Aroldis Chapman Isn’t Ready

New York Yankees relief pitcher Zach Britton will be the team’s primary closer if closer Aroldis Chapman isn’t ready for the start of the season, according to manager Aaron Boone. Chapman was diagnosed with coronavirus on Saturday and has been showing symptoms, so fantasy owners should expect Britton to start the season as the closer […]

Gerson Bautista Suffers Injury Saturday

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Gerson Bautista hit 101 mph with a fastball during an intrasquad game on Saturday, but his next pitch came out at 94 mph and he threw one more pitch before something looked wrong. Athletic trainer Rob Nodine came to the mound to check with Bautista before they both walked off moments […]

Padres Looking For Left-Handed Relief Help

The San Diego Padres are looking for bullpen help as injuries accumulate in summer camp. With key left-handed reliever Jose Castillo (lat) out at least six weeks, the Friars are down to just two relief southpaws in Matt Strahm and Drew Pomeranz. Meanwhile, lefty pitching prospects MacKenzie Gore and Adrian Morejon are viewed more as […]

Aroldis Chapman Tests Positive For COVID-19

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman tested positive for COVID-19, according to manager Aaron Boone. "He has mild symptoms, but he’s doing well," Boone said. The hard-throwing lefty closer will be out for the foreseeable future, and with just under two weeks until Opening Day on July 23, there's a chance that Chapman won't be […]

Astros Cancel Workouts On Saturday

The Houston Astros canceled their summer camp workouts again on Saturday. "As part of MLB’s testing and reporting plan, we were alerted that a staff member was potentially exposed to a COVID-positive individual outside the organization," general manager James Click said. It's a reminder that all it takes to jeopardize an entire team's health is […]

Corey Knebel Feeling Good After Intrasquad Outing

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (elbow) took a step forward in his return from Tommy John surgery on Friday when he threw an inning in an intrasquad game at Miller Park. "I'm happy with how I feel right now. Everything feels good, so that's a positive," Knebel said. The right-hander's velocity is still a […]

Trey Wingenter Shut Down With Elbow Irritation

San Diego Padres reliever Trey Wingenter (elbow) is dealing with irritation in his throwing elbow and will be shut down. He’ll be tested again in five days. The 26-year-old has been a strikeout artist for the Friars with a 12.7 K/9 over the past two years, but posted an ugly 5.65 ERA last season due […]

Yoan Moncada, Jose Ruiz Placed On Injured List

Chicago White Sox third baseman/second baseman Yoan Moncada and relief pitcher Jose Ruiz were placed on the 10-day injured list on Friday. The White Sox aren't specifying an injury for either player, so it's a good bet this is related to COVID-19. Moncada has been away from summer camp since Monday and it's unclear if […]

Nick Burdi Looks Amazing

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Nick Burdi was impressive in spring training earlier this year and has picked up where he left off in summer camp workouts. “He looks amazing,” starting pitcher Jameson Taillon said. “No matter how many injuries this dude’s had, he still throws 100 mph. His slider’s still disgusting.” Burdi had Tommy John […]

Chris Stratton An Option In Piggyback Role

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Chris Stratton, along with Steven Brault and Chad Kuhl, is a candidate to function as a piggyback starter in the shortened 2020 season. Stratton leaned on a high-spin fastball and had a 3.66 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 46 2/3 relief innings for the Bucs over 28 relief outings last season. He […]

Corey Knebel Expected To Make Roster

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (elbow) is expected to be on the Opening Day roster, according to manager Craig Counsell. Knebel is scheduled to pitch in the team's scrimmage on Friday. The 28-year-old hard-throwing right-hander is making his way back from Tommy John surgery, so the Brewers will be cautious with his workload even […]

Kenley Jansen Still Absent From Camp

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he has spoken with closer Kenley Jansen, who is "in good spirits" and is expected to arrive in summer camp "soon." Jansen is one of nine players who have not reported, along with Pedro Baez, Gavin Lux, A.J. Pollock, Scott Alexander, Keibert Ruiz, Zach Reks, Cody Thomas and […]

New York Mets: Top 10 Dynasty Prospects

The New York Mets will be our next stop on the farm to evaluate the best prospects on each MLB team. Once the 2020 MLB season begins, it may turn out that Minor League systems will be more important than usual. Franchises are losing money during the pandemic layoff, so many teams will be looking […]