Pedro Strop Inching Towards Return

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) will throw Tuesday and Thursday on a rehab assignment. If everything goes well, Strop should be able to return to the big league roster this weekend. Strop is likely to go back to his role as the Cubs closer and is worth owning in all formats that score […]

Matt Strahm Fans Career-High 10 Batters

San Diego Padres starter Matt Strahm struck out a career-high 10 batters in a loss Monday to the New York Yankees. Strahm’s only slip-ups were two homers in the second inning that ultimately doomed him. He lasted six frames total surrendering three earned runs via four hits and three walks. The 27-year-old southpaw sits with […]

Daily Slivers of the Fantasy Soapbox (5/28/19)

Welcome to the Tuesday, May 28th 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 […]

Kenley Jansen Secures His 15th Save

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen worked around a triple allowed to Mets outfielder Pete Alonso, working 1 2/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts in Monday's 9-5 win against the New York Mets. He picked up his 15th save, throwing 16 of his 19 pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to all five of […]

Yonny Chirinos Throws No-Hitter Through Five Innings

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Yonny Chirinos got the start on Monday and didn’t allow a hit over five scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. He walked two and struck out seven in the start. This couldn’t be more frustrating for Chirinos owners as he had only thrown 69 pitches through five innings. Manager Kevin Cash […]

Jose Leclerc Deals With Cramping In Calves

Updating a previous report, Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (calves) was removed from his outing early on Monday due to tightness and cramping in both of his calves. The good news is that the issue wasn't arm-related after Leclerc was unavailable on Sunday with a sore right shoulder. The bad news is his ERA […]

Jose Leclerc Removed From Game Monday

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc (shoulder), who wasn't available on Sunday due to shoulder stiffness that manager Chris Woodward says was minor, was pulled from the game with an apparent injury on Monday. Leclerc allowed two hits (one homer) and two earned runs while walking none and striking out two in two-thirds of an […]

Blake Treinen Back On The Ball For 11th Save

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Blake Treinen worked around a single while striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth inning for his 11th save Monday against the Los Angeles Angels. Treinen was unavailable on Sunday after throwing a total of 43 pitches in the first two games of the Seattle series. He allowed two runs, […]

Wade Davis Playing Catch

Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis (oblique), who is on the injured list with a left oblique strain, has been playing catch for three days. However, he hasn't been scheduled to throw off a mound yet. Oblique strains can often sidelined pitchers for a month or more, so this is good progress for Davis. The 33-year-old […]

Mike Montgomery Optimistic About Being Available Tuesday

Chicago Cubs reliever Mike Montgomery (finger) left Monday's game against the Astros without throwing a pitch, but he is optimistic that he will be available for Game 2 of the series on Tuesday. The 29-year-old lefty was summoned to replace starter Cole Hamels, who was rocked for six runs, in the bottom of the fifth. […]

Joe Kelly Back, Caleb Ferguson Optioned

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated relief pitcher Joe Kelly from the bereavement list on Monday, and they optioned reliever Caleb Ferguson to Triple-A Oklahoma City. Kelly allowed runs in five of his first six appearances to start the season, as his ERA was an unsightly 12.27. However, he has managed just six runs over his […]

Kyle Bird Joins Bullpen, Jeanmar Gomez Designated

The Texas Rangers recalled relief pitcher Kyle Bird from Triple-A Nashville on Monday, and they designated veteran reliever Jeanmar Gomez for assignment. Gomez managed a 1-0 record with a dismal 8.22 ERA and 1.89 WHIP with six walks and 10 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings across 16 appearances. Bird takes his place in the bullpen, […]

Hunter Strickland To Throw Off A Mound Soon

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (lat) is expected to resume throwing from a mound by the end of the week. He has been throwing on flat ground for a week or two as he makes his way back from a strained latissimus muscle. Strickland opened the season as the team's closer, nailing down his […]

Sam Tuivailala Battling Dead-Arm Issue

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Sam Tuivailala (Achilles, arm) has been dealing with a dead arm during his minor-league rehab assignment. He was recently transferred from the 10-day to 60-day injured list, as he continues to recover from a more serious Achilles' injury. Tuivailala is expected to pitch on Monday for Triple-A Tacoma. He has posted […]

Pedro Strop To Begin Rehab Assignment Tuesday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) is scheduled to start his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday. Strop should be ready to rejoin the Cubs very shortly, barring setbacks on his rehab assignment. The right-hander opened the season as the club's closer in the absence of Brandon Morrow, and he could return to […]

Mychal Givens Temporarily Demoted From Closer Role

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said that the team will look to get closer Mychal Givens back into high-leverage spots eventually given his recent struggles. Hyde was non-committal when asked who might get the team's next save opportunity. Givens has allowed eight earned runs on three homers while walking six and striking out three in […]

Dellin Betances Throws Bullpen Monday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) threw 25 fastballs in a bullpen session on Monday. It was Betances' first bullpen session since he was injured in spring training, and he should be able to make his season debut in the Yankees bullpen sometime next month. Betances won't see many save chances, but his […]

Jose Alvarado Nails Down Save On Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado locked down the save on Sunday in the Rays win over the Indians. This save was his second in the last 10 days, which could be pointing to more opportunities to come. The Rays closer situation has been difficult to figure out, so it’s best just to roll with […]

Marcus Walden Notches First Save Of Season

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Marcus Walden nailed down his first save of the season Sunday, in a 4-1 win over Houston. Walden struck out one en route to his second career save. He needed just nine pitches, and touched 95 mph in the ninth, but his statistical gain just makes the Boston bullpen situation […]

Ian Kennedy Drops The Ball

Kansas City Royals closer Ian Kennedy had another ugly appearance on Sunday when he was called upon to finish out a relative blowout. Instead, even though he was spotted a three-run lead, Kennedy proved ineffective. He gave up four singles and a walk to allow three runs to come around and score, tying up the […]

Jalen Beeks Solid Sunday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jalen Beeks pitched well on Sunday against the Indians. He threw 4 2/3 scoreless frames with three strikeouts and three walks. It’s a good bounce back performance for Beeks coming off a rough appearance against the Dodgers last time out. He’s a good option against lesser lineups but is very risky […]

Yonny Chirinos Starting Monday

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Yonny Chirinos will get the start on Monday against the Blue Jays. Chirinos has mainly been used as a bulk reliever this year but with only two true starters, the Rays will look to Chirinos to save some of the bullpen Monday. Chirinos owns a 3.20 ERA over 50 2/3 innings […]

Edwin Diaz Records 13th Save Sunday

New York Mets closer Edwin Diaz notched his 13th save of the season on Sunday, preserving a 4-3 lead in a win over the Detroit Tigers. Diaz allowed a hit and a walk but struck out the side to escape a jam. The 25-year-old is 13-for-14 in save opportunities this season with a 1.71 ERA […]

Scott Oberg Stumbles In Save Opportunity

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Scott Oberg fumbled his first chance to lock down a game while closer Wade Davis is on the Injured List. Brought into a hairy situation on Sunday, Oberg quickly got the second out of the eighth inning while an inherited runner bided his time on second base. However, with two outs, […]

Felix Pena (SP/RP, LAA) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: 29-year old Felix Pena appears to have found his home as a member of an MLB squad, though it hasn't exactly been as a member of the rotation or the bullpen. In 43.2 IP across nine games this season, Pena has made four starts […]

H2H Category Streamers - Week 9 Waiver Wire

There are plenty of strategies that fantasy managers explore in hopes of getting an advantage over their opponent. Heavy lineup, heavy starting pitchers, no catcher, all (or mostly) reliever staff, no reliever staff, etc. Even if you play a balanced lineup, injuries can cause holes. A few weeks without a key player won’t kill a […]

Wei-Chung Wang Gets Chance With Big Club

Oakland Athletics left-handed pitcher Wei-Chung Wang had his contract purchased from Triple-A Las Vegas over the weekend. He was limited during Cactus League spring training play due to injury, but he showed well in the minors with a 3.75 ERA in 16 relief appearances. "Looks like he could get some lefties and righties and give […]

Fernando Rodney Designated For Assignment

The Oakland Athletics designated relief pitcher Fernando Rodney for assignment over the weekend, and they have seven days within the transaction to either trade or place him on irrevocable outright waivers. It just wasn't working this season for the veteran, who had a 9.42 ERA with opponents hitting .345 against him in 17 relief appearances. […]

Justin Anderson Nails Down His First Save

Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Justin Anderson allowed an earned run, a hit and a walk with two strikeouts in an adventurous ninth inning, nailing down his first save of the season Sunday against the Texas Rangers. He needed 29 pitches, throwing 17 for strikes, while also uncorking a wild pitch. However, he settled down […]

Greg Holland Nails Down Ninth Save In Tidy Effort

Arizona Diamondbacks closer Greg Holland needed just six pitches to record two outs for a tidy ninth inning in Sunday's 6-2 road win against the San Francisco Giants for his ninth save. With a four-run lead, reliever Matt Andriese got into some trouble with just four strikes in 11 pitches, issuing a walk and a […]