Carlos Martinez to Serve as Closer

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez is expected to take over the closer role for the Cardinals going forward. Jordan Hicks (elbow) is going to have Tommy John surgery, so he's done for the rest of the season. The Cardinals could always sign someone to pitch the ninth for them, but Martinez should be fine […]

Roberto Osuna 1-for-3 In Saves In June

Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna has hit a few bumps in the road as the team prepares to open up a series with the Pirates on Tuesday. Osuna has made only six appearances all month and has blown two saves since June 6. Osuna still posts some gaudy totals with a 2.25 ERA and a […]

Hansel Robles Cementing Closer's Role

Los Angeles Angels closer Hansel Robles has made significant strides to nail down the closer's role moving forward heading into Tuesday. Robles has converted his last five save chances and is posting a 0.87 ERA in the month of June with an 11:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Robles has allowed 11 hits over his last 10 1/3 innings […]

Sean Newcomb To Be Activated On Tuesday

Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb (concussion) is set to be activated off of the seven-day injury list ahead of Tuesday's game against the Chicago Cubs. He tallied five strikeouts across two scoreless innings in a rehab appearance with Triple-A Gwinnett on Saturday. The 26-year-old will go back into the Braves' bullpen where he has recorded […]

Wade Davis Breaks Rockies Curse

Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis got to watch three different teammates give up walk-off home runs during the team's three-game series in LA, but he took charge and finished off Monday's game without drama. Handed a two-run lead in the ninth in San Francisco, Davis took care of his three batters in order, drawing a […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox - Yesterday's Recap

Welcome to the Tuesday, June 25th 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 […]

Jonathan Holder Optioned To Triple-A

The New York Yankees optioned relief pitcher Jonathan Holder to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after his implosion on Monday night against the Toronto Blue Jays. He coughed up five earned runs and five hits, including a grand slam to Freddy Galvis and a solo shot to Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and he was unable to retire a single […]

Carson Fulmer Will Serve As Opener On Tuesday

Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Carson Fulmer will serve as the team's opener on Tuesday night against the Boston Red Sox. It will be a collective bullpen day for the White Sox against LHP David Price. The former standout at Vanderbilt has struggled, posting a 1-1 record, 6.35 ERA and 1.94 WHIP across 11 1/3 […]

Diego Castillo Out Approximately Two Weeks

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Diego Castillo (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a right shoulder impingement and he will be sidelined for at least two weeks. Overall, Castillo has a 1-6 record with a 3.93 ERA and 1.31 WHIP across 34 1/3 innings over 33 relief appearances. Something's obviously been amiss lately, as he has […]

Chad Green Pressed Into Duty, Might Not Open

New York Yankees relief pitcher Chad Green was forced into a relief appearance in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night, so his status as the 'opener' for Tuesday's game against the Jays is up in the air. Green allowed two hits with two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning, throwing […]

Jimmy Yacabonis Serving As Opener On Tuesday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis will start Tuesday's game against the San Diego Padres. Yacabonis performed admirably as an opener against the Oakland Athletics on June 19, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out one batter. Despite the strong outing, Yacabonis has miniscule fantasy value and a 4.70 ERA through 23 innings this season. Let […]

Brandon Morrow Will Throw A Bullpen Session Tuesday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) has thrown two successful bullpen session and will throw a third session on Tuesday. Morrow has been sidelined since July 15 of last year with various elbow issues. There is no timetable if Morrow will return to the big leagues anytime soon or at all this season and […]

Fernando Rodney Called Up by Nats

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Fernando Rodney has been recalled from the minors on Monday. Rodney is expected to join the team prior to Tuesday's game against the Miami Marlins. He was released by the Oakland Athletics after posting a 9.42 ERA in 17 relief appearances. The Nationals are desperate for relief help, but Rodney hasn't […]

Steven Wright Expected to Join Bullpen on Tuesday

Boston Red Sox pitcher Steven Wright (suspension) is expected to join the team's bullpen on Tuesday. Wright recently finished serving an 80-game suspension for PED usage. Wright pitched very well during his minor league rehab appearances. The team may ease him back into action, but Wright could end up playing a big role in the […]

Jordan Hicks Diagnosed With a Torn UCL

St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks was diagnosed with a Torn UCL in his throwing arm. Hicks was originally diagnosed with triceps tendinitis, but further testing revealed the tear in the ligament. The UCL tear diagnosis usually leads to Tommy John Surgery, although rehab is sometimes an option. Either way, Hicks is almost certainly done […]

Scott Oberg Makes History

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg was supposed to be the key to ending the historic run of walk-off home runs by Dodgers rookies, but instead, he simply added his name to the record books. After two straight nights of walk-offs when other relievers were in, the solution was obvious. Send out Oberg, the team's […]

The Cut List (Week 13) - Time to Let Go?

At this point in the season, nearly half over, you should pretty much know what you have on your fantasy team. (Unless you have Jose Ramirez.) Chances are, if you still have a certain frustrating player on your roster -- especially one you drafted -- you've had plenty of chances to remove them but have […]

Buy or Sell: Undervalued and Overvalued Players for Week 13

Today's piece covers a set of players who either should not be available on waivers or will return back there soon. Most of the earlier editions of this recurring buy or sell article have included several universally owned players whose values have been manipulated enough by early season performances. Unfortunately, as we get deeper into the year, […]

John Gant Has a Rough Sunday Night on the Mound

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher John Gant had a rough time on Sunday night, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks while only recording one out. It was by far Gant's worst appearance of the season and despite the four runs scoring with only one out being recorded, his ERA only went up […]

Shawn Kelley Nails Down Four-Out Save Sunday

Texas Rangers closer allowed just one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings with two strikeouts in Sunday's 7-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox, nailing down his 10th save of the season. It was also his first four-out save since June 29, 2016 in a game against the New York Mets when he was a […]

Kyle Bird Optioned To Triple-A Nashville

The Texas Rangers optioned relief pitcher Kyle Bird to Triple-A Nashville after Sunday's game. The corresponding move is expected to be the activation of third baseman/outfielder Joey Gallo (oblique) from the 10-day injured list. That move is likely coming on Tuesday. Bird did not have a decision while nailing down one save over 6 2/3 […]

Ian Kennedy (SP/RP, KC) - Week 13 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 45% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Royals spent most of the season's first half cycling through ninth-inning options. (Kyle Zimmer and Richard Lovelady, we hardly knew ye. Wily Peralta and Brad Boxberger, we only wish we hadn't.) Erstwhile starter Ian Kennedy has seized the role, yet remains unowned in over […]

Pedro Strop Picks Up Save Number Nine

Chicago Cubs reliever Pedro Strop picked up his ninth save of the season on Sunday versus the New York Mets. Strop has had his ups and downs this season, but with Craig Kimbrel inching closer to joining the Cubs, Strop will lose the closer role. Strop can still offer value in leagues that offer holds […]

Adrian Houser Taking Over Jimmy Nelson's Rotation Spot

The Milwaukee Brewers are shuffling around their pitching staff moving Jimmy Nelson to the bullpen and placing Adrian Houser in the rotation to start on Wednesday versus the Mariners. Nelson has struggled in three starts in his return from shoulder surgery that kept him out of the entire 2018 campaign. He holds an ugly 9.75 […]

Joe Ross Optioned on Sunday

Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross has been optioned to the minors on Sunday. Ross was expected to make the start on Sunday, but pitched in relief for the Nats on Saturday. He was crushed for four earned runs, so the Nats decided to send him back to the minors. Right-hander Kyle McGowin will take his […]

Craig Kimbrel Could Make Debut Next Week

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel will continue to pitch for Triple-A Iowa and is scheduled to throw on Tuesday. The Cubs are taking a slow approach to calling up Kimbrel, but there is a chance he could be called up as early as Thursday or Friday if everything goes well. Kimbrel recently signed with […]

Trevor Rosenthal Released by Nationals

Washington Nationals relief pitcher Trevor Rosenthal has been released by the organization on Sunday. This was his first season back after having Tommy John surgery, so having some regression is understandable, However, Rosenthal has a 22.74 ERA with 15 walks in 6 1/3 innings with the Nats. Rosenthal reportedly is still throwing hard, so hopefully […]

Diego Castillo Placed on Injured List

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Diego Castillo (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday. Castillo has not pitched well lately, so the Rays have put him on the shelf due to right shoulder inflammation. Emilio Pagan will likely get most of the saves chances until Jose Alvarado is ready to return.

Wily Peralta Botches The 10th Inning

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wily Peralta has surprisingly been decent over the last month. His laughable walk rate has come down as he's only walked four in his last 12 2/3 innings, and he's only allowed three earned runs in the time. Unfortunately, two of those came in the 10th inning against the Twins […]

Bryan Shaw Blows Another Lead

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Bryan Shaw had somehow won over some confidence from manager Bud Black, but after allowed a run for the third straight outing and blowing another lead, he certainly shouldn't get any more chances anytime soon. Shaw has absolutely fallen apart from the pitcher he used to be, and he is one […]