Edwin Diaz Has Mixed Results In First Spring Outing
New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz allowed three hits, including a pair of two-run doubles, in the Mets 4-2 loss to the Astros on Wednesday. On the plus side, Diaz generated swings and misses, hit 98 mph on his fastball and also struck out one batter in his one inning pitched. Diaz had a disastrous […]
Questionable Closers: An Early Look at Some Unsettled Bullpens
As anyone who has played fantasy baseball for even five minutes knows, bullpens around the league are always in flux. There are fewer and fewer closers who are no doubt, always in for the ninth inning, always healthy, never slumping, and always celebrating wins for their team. We're seeing more and more teams go with […]
Ty Buttrey To Throw Again Thursday
Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Ty Buttrey (side) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Thursday and will throw another one on Saturday or Sunday and then again on Wednesday before getting into a spring training game in early March. Buttrey is dealing with an intercostal issue but has plenty of time to get […]
Mychal Givens Getting Close To A Return
Baltimore Orioles reliever Mychal Givens (flu) will make his Grapefruit League debut sometime soon, according to manager Brandon Hyde. The virus has impacted several Orioles' players, but most of them are on the road to recovery. Givens should be ready for Opening Day, and he is the leading candidate to earn saves for the Orioles […]
Hunter Harvey Expected To Make Spring Debut This Weekend
Baltimore Orioles reliever Hunter Harvey (flu) is planning on making his Grapefruit League debut this upcoming weekend, according to manager Brandon Hyde. Harvey was dealing with some congestion issues earlier in the week but is feeling back to normal now. The former top prospect got his first taste of MLB action last season, posting a […]
Alex Vesia Picks Up a Grapefruit League Save
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Alex Vesia earned a save in Wednesday's Grapefruit League win over a split-squad St. Louis Cardinals team. Vesia tossed a perfect inning, striking out two and inducing a ground ball out. Vesia is not a well-known name, but he could end up being the most effective pitcher out of the Marlins […]
Brad Peacock Confident He'll Be Ready For Opening Day
Houston Astros right-handed pitcher Brad Peacock (shoulder) is making progress and is confident he'll be ready by Opening Day. Peacock has battled neck and shoulder issues in the early portions of spring training which seem to have eliminated him from contending for the fifth spot in the rotation right out of the gate. But Peacock […]
Dustin May Still Not Throwing Off Mound
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Dustin May (side) has not thrown off of a pitching mound since the first day of Spring Training. The 22-year-old did not complete his scheduled bullpen session on Sunday after he felt further discomfort in his side earlier in the day. May was likely heading to Triple-A Oklahoma to open the […]
Giovanny Gallegos Struggles on Wednesday
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Giovanny Gallegos struggled in a split-squad Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. He pitched just 2/3 of an inning, allowing three runs on two hits and a walk. It was the first appearance of the spring for the projected Cardinals closer, and likely nothing to worry about. […]
Freddy Peralta Finalizing Long-Term Extension With Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers have agreed to a new five-year deal with pitcher Freddy Peralta. The deal is for five years and $15.5 million with two club options that could bring the value up to $30 million, per Ken Rosenthal with The Athletic. The 23-year-old has been battling for a spot in the rotation this spring, […]
Zach Plesac Working On New Curveball Grip
Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Zach Plesac has been spending time refining his curveball accuracy and usage this offseason. Plesac struggled to locate his curveball in 2019 and only threw it 10 percent of the time. “I was spiking it last year. I think it was causing my wrist to get loose and I was getting […]
Industry Expert Mock: ADP Surprises
Pierre Camus and Nicklaus Gaut break down the recent RotoBaller Friends & Family industry mock draft to see how the experts fared and look at some of the most surprising picks, for better or worse. Like and subscribe to the RotoBaller channel on Youtube to get all our latest podcasts and catch us on iTunes and […]
Hunter Harvey Recovering From Flu, Spring Debut Unknown
Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Hunter Harvey is still recovering from the flu but has been able to throw in the bullpen, per MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko. He is still recovering from congestion and does not have a timetable for his spring debut. The 25-year-old has long been one of the O's higher-valued prospects but has been […]
Brandon Kintzler Pitches a Scoreless Inning on Tuesday
Miami Marlins relief pitcher and likely closer Brandon Kintzler made his Marlins debut on Tuesday, pitching a perfect inning. Kintzler came in to pitch the third inning against the Houston Astros and retired the side in order. For now, it looks like Kintzler is in the lead for the ninth inning role in Miami, and […]
Lance McCullers Jr. Nearing Return To Game Action
Houston Astros starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. (elbow) will throw a live bullpen session on Tuesday with hopes of returning to the mound in the next few days. McCullers missed all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery and could help stabilize the back of the Astros rotation if he can return to full health. […]
Jose Urena Allows Just One Hit in Two Innings of Work
Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Urena got the start in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game and tossed two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking out one. Urena's role has yet to be determined, although the fact that he threw every pitch from the stretch may be telling us that he's destined for the bullpen. Urena […]
Ryan Borucki Throwing Again Tuesday
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Ryan Borucki (elbow) played catch for the second day in a row on Tuesday as he works his way back from an elbow injury that kept him sidelined for the majority of 2019. With some lingering stiffness so far in camp, the left-hander is too far behind schedule to begin the […]
Seth Lugo Working Back From Fractured Toe
On Monday, New York Mets relief pitcher Seth Lugo (toe) ran at an estimated 65% of full speed for the first time since fracturing his left pinkie toe last week. He will participate in agility drills and a cutting session on Tuesday, followed by bullpen work on Wednesday. If all goes well, Lugo should throw live […]
Felix Pena Likely To Open Season As Reliever
Los Angeles Angels pitcher Felix Pena (knee) is likely to open the season as a reliever instead of a starter if he makes the team's Opening Day roster. Pena is recovering from a torn ACL last year and hasn't been built up as a starter this spring. The 29-year-old (30 on Tuesday) Dominican pitched in […]
Hansel Robles Expected To Be Closer
Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon said it's a pretty safe bet that relief pitcher Hansel Robles will enter the season as the team's closer. This was the expectation all along, with Ty Buttrey likely to serve as the primary eighth-inning setup man. Robles had a nice 2.48 ERA and 1.02 WHIP with 23 saves […]
Ken Giles Works Perfect Inning In Spring Debut
Toronto Blue Jays reliever Ken Giles worked a quick one-two-three inning in the team's Grapefruit League contest versus the Braves on Monday. He recorded one strikeout in the stress-free frame for his first spring tune-up this year. Giles is locked in as the closer for the Jays this season after an impressive 2019 campaign that […]
Pierce Johnson Could Work Way Into Holds Mix
San Diego Padres reliever Pierce Johnson has an opportunity to be a key bullpen piece in 2020. After a bumpy start to his career in the majors, Johnson rediscovered his groove last season in Japan with a 1.38 ERA and 41 percent strikeout rate. Despite a crowded bullpen, Johnson’s roster spot is secure after earning […]
John Gant Tosses Two Hitless Innings on Monday
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John Gant got the start for Monday's Grapefruit League game against the Miami Marlins and threw two hitless innings. He ended up allowing an unearned run while walking one and striking out two. Gant is a candidate to be a short-term starter in the rotation spot left vacant by Miles Mikolas […]
Shun Yamaguchi Struggles In Spring Debut
Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shun Yamaguchi had a tough debut versus the Braves in his first taste of Grapefruit League action. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning, allowing three runs on three hits, a walk, and a hit-by-pitch against mostly projected bench players. His command notably struggled, but he showed a promising curveball that […]
Freddy Peralta Competing With Eric Lauer For Fifth Rotation Spot
Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Freddy Peralta is competing for the fifth rotation spot, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Peralta spent most of last season in the Brewers bullpen, but the team wants to give the young arm another opportunity in the starting rotation. Peralta reported to Brewers camp with a new […]
Four More Sleeper Prospects for 2020 Redraft Leagues
MLB Spring Training is here. The sights and sounds of baseball are everywhere. That also means fantasy baseball season is just around the corner. And with that comes hundreds of minor league players with dreams of breaking into the major leagues during the coming season. Many will. But others will not. Last week, we took […]
Jose Alvarado Scheduled To Make Spring Debut Wednesday
Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvarado (elbow) threw a successful live batting practice session on Sunday and used around 20 pitches. He's tentatively scheduled to make his spring debut in the Grapefruit League on Wednesday against the Twins. The southpaw reliever's 2019 season ended in August, but barring any setbacks in spring training, he […]
Ryan Yarbrough Could Become More Of A Traditional Starter
Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who served as the "bulk" pitcher following an opener mostly in 2019, enters spring training this year with a chance to be a traditional starter. Yarbrough threw a scoreless inning against the Yankees in his spring debut on Sunday, striking out one while throwing 14 of his 21 pitches […]
Brandon Morrow Sidelined With Chest Injury
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (chest) has suffered a right chest muscle strain and is considered day-to-day. The Cubs brought Morrow back on a minor league deal this offseason, but after missing the entire 2019 season, the injury prone right-hander will need to be healthy to have any chance of breaking camp with the […]
Julio Urias Beginning Season In Starting Rotation
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias will begin the 2020 season as a member of the starting rotation, according to manager Dave Roberts. The 23-year-old went between the bullpen and rotation several times last season, posting a 2.49 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 85 strikeouts over 37 appearances. The Dodgers have limited Urias' workload in the […]