Hunter Strickland Could Return in June

Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland (lat) is hopeful that he'll be able to return by the middle of June. Strickland has been sidelined since March 31 with a Grade 2 right lat strain. He has been increasing his baseball activities lately. He started the season as the closer in Seattle, and could quickly regain […]

Brandon Morrow Throws On Flat Ground

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brandon Morrow (elbow) threw on flat ground from 45-60 feet on Monday and came out of it feeling fine. There remains no timetable for Morrow, who hasn't pitched in the big leagues since the first half of the 2018 season. With Pedro Strop also currently sidelined, Steve Cishek has been the […]

Shawn Kelley Activated Tuesday

The Texas Rangers activated relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (illness) from the 10-day injured list on Tuesday and optioned pitcher Brett Martin to the minors in a corresponding move. Kelley had surgery to remove lymph nodes from his vocal cords last week. He'll return to a 3-0 record, 1.29 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 12 K's and two […]

Anthony Bass Signs With Mariners

The Seattle Mariners have signed right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Bass. The 31-year-old reliever has been good so far in Triple-A this season, compiling nine saves and a 3.29 FIP through 20 innings. He pitched well for the Cubs last season in 16 appearances and should find himself in a middle-inning relief role with the Mariners.

Sean Newcomb Picks Up His First Save Of The Season

Atlanta Braves pitcher Sean Newcomb fired a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save during a 4-1 win over the San Francisco Giants. It was the first save opportunity of the year for the 25-year-old. Newcomb, who was demoted to Triple-A Gwinnett back in April, has not allowed a run yet in seven appearances out […]

Blake Parker Earns Eighth Save

Minnesota Twins closer Blake Parker pitched a scoreless ninth to lock down a 3-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Parker worked around one hit in the frame on the way to earning his eighth save in eight chances this year. Overall, Parker has a 1.10 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, and 12 strikeouts in […]

Strikeout Rate Risers and Fallers - Buy or Sell for Week 8

Welcome back to the pitching strikeout rate risers and fallers article series! Each week we will take a look at two K% risers and two fallers, analyze what is behind those changes, and then decide if they are actionable. A pitcher can best control their fate by generating swings and misses, so this exercise holds […]

Brad Brach Struggles In Save Situation

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Brad Brach blew his first save on Monday versus the Phillies. With closer Steve Cishek unavailable on Monday, the Cubs elected to go with Brach who allowed two hits, one walk and one run. Brach owns a 2.75 ERA on the season with two holds and zero saves and doesn’t hold […]

Julio Urias Expected To Be Reinstated On Tuesday

Urias was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic battery and was placed on administrative leave by Major League Baseball. It appears he will be reinstated on Tuesday but it is still unclear what this means in regards to his investigation. For the time being, Urias currently has a 3.18 ERA and 32 strikeouts over […]

Blake Treinen Records Four Out Save

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Blake Treinen recorded the final four outs in Cleveland Monday night to earn his eighth save of the season. Treinen came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth and induced a groundout to preserve a one-run lead. The offense provided Treinen with insurance in the […]

Pedro Strop Throws Bullpen Session on Monday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (hamstring) threw a 25-pitch bullpen session on Monday. He'll throw off the mound again in a few days and could return shortly after that. The Cubs have not said whether or not Strop will go on a rehab assignment. He's making solid progress, so hopefully he can return before […]

Seth Lugo Lands on Injured List

New York Mets relief pitcher Seth Lugo (shoulder) has been placed on the 10-day injured list. Lugo is dealing with right shoulder tendinitis, so this could be something that sidelines him for longer than 10 days. He was pitching well out of the bullpen, so it's shame to watch him go down. Hector Santiago has […]

Dellin Betances Throws For Second Straight Day Monday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) threw off flat ground for the second straight day Monday. He threw from 90 feet on Sunday and 105 feet on Monday and will continue to throw for three more days in order to build up arm strength. The 31-year-old, who has yet to see any action […]

The Cut List (Week 8) - Time to Let Go?

May is half over. That's scarcely believable, but it's true. Much more believable but equally true: there are plenty of players that should be axed. April showers can't bring May flowers for everyone, and some players even got that proverb mixed up: they are following up April flowers with damp May production. This analogy is […]

Matt Barnes Caps Off Great Week

Boston Red Sox reliever Matt Barnes earned his sixth hold Sunday, retiring the side in the eighth inning of a 4-3 win over Houston. Barnes was near perfect in the Week of May 13, allowing just one hit in 12 batters faced, while also punching out seven. The 28-year-old hasn't recorded a save since May […]

Wilmer Font Slated To Start For Mets

Originally, the New York Mets were going to deploy Drew Gagnon as their opener for tonight's game, but now they have turned to Wilmer Font to take the ball first. Font has made two starts this season for the Mets, in which he went four innings (60 pitches) against the Padres and 2 1/3 innings […]

Brandon Workman Records First Career Save

Boston Red Sox reliever Brandon Workman nailed down his first major league save Sunday, in a 4-3 win over Houston. The 30-year-old needed 16 pitches to get through the ninth, fanning two and walking one. Workman has been solid this season, mainly serving in the seventh inning role. He hosts a 2.21 ERA in 20 […]

Ryan Burr Set To Open For White Sox

The Chicago White Sox are having right-handed relief pitcher Ryan Burr start things off on the mound against the Houston Astros. The opener is scheduled to pitch one or two innings, dependent on his pitch count after the first inning. This is the first time Burr is opening a game, but he has made 22 […]

Cardinals Officially Place Luke Gregerson On Waivers

The St. Louis Cardinals have officially placed right-handed relief pitcher Luke Gregerson on waivers. The 35-year-old had pitched in six games for the Cardinals this season, in which he was lit up for a 7.94 ERA and gave up 11 hits and five runs in just 5 2/3 innings of work. His Cardinals career comes […]

Drew Gagnon To Open Game For Mets

New York Mets pitcher Drew Gagnon will be utilized as the opener Monday night against Washington. This will be the first start of the year for Gagnon, who has pitched 11 innings so far in six games this season. Gagnon has been effective lately, as he has not allowed a run in his last five […]

Bryan Shaw Is Still Quite Bad

The Colorado Rockies have tried everything they can think of to help relief pitcher Bryan Shaw find himself again, but none of it's really worked. Shaw came into Sunday's game rocking an impressive 1.93 ERA that was built on a pile of kindling consisting of a 5.46 K/9, 3.86 BB/9, 88% strand rate, and .158 […]

Jake Diekman Finally Picks Up Fifth Hold

It took more than a week, but Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Jake Diekman was finally able to nail down his fifth hold of the season with a shutout inning against the Angels on Sunday. The seasoned 32-year-old has been hampered by a combination of poor outings and poor team performance this year, but he's […]

Nick Margevicius Optioned, Trey Wingenter Activated

The San Diego Padres optioned starting pitcher Nick Margevicius to Double-A Amarillo on Sunday and activated right-handed reliever Trey Wingenter (shoulder). The 22-year-old Margevicius earned a surprise roster spot in spring training and began the season well but has floundered with an 8.59 ERA in three May starts. He’ll likely get another shot later this […]

Felipe Vazquez Strikes Out Three In Earning 13th Save

Pittsburgh Pirates Closer Felipe Vazquez struck out the side while allowing just one hit, earning his 13th save of the season in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Padres. It was a good bounce-back performance from Vazquez, who allowed two runs in a non-save situation in Friday's game. His 13 saves rank third in the National […]

Jose Leclerc Likely To Reclaim Closer Role Soon

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Joe Leclerc is “real close” to regaining the closer role for the Rangers, according to manager Chris Woodward. Leclerc began the season as the Rangers closer before a poor start to the season saw him demoted and Chris Martin placed in his position. Since that demotion, Leclerc has thrown eight innings, […]

Chris Martin (RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups Week 8

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 27% of Leagues ANALYSIS: Since inheriting the Rangers' closing role on May 8, Chris Martin has averaged a strikeout per inning, allowed two hits (one was a home run), managed a .50 WHIP, and provided a 2.25 ERA. The Texas situation is one of the messiest […]

Two-Start Pitcher Preview: After Hours With RotoBaller Radio

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and keeps you updated with all the latest news and analysis Be sure to tune into RotoBaller Radio on SiriusXM (channel Sirius 210, XM 87): Monday through Friday from 6-7 am ET Monday through Friday from 1-2 pm ET Saturdays from 5-7 pm ET You can […]

Shawn Kelley Could Be Activated on Monday

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley (illness) is scheduled to throw a simulated game on Sunday. Assuming everything goes well, Kelley could be activated from the injured list on Monday. Kelley had surgery last week to remove lymph nodes from his vocal cords. Kelley was the closer in Arlington before landing on the injured list, […]

Hansel Robles (RP, LAA) - Week 8 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 35% of leagues ANALYSIS: The Los Angeles Angels had a rough start to the 2019 season at the back end of the bullpen, demoting veteran closer Cody Allen for a head-clearing and soon looking to 28-year old Hansel Robles in high-leverage situations. While there is a surprisingly stocked cast […]

Nick Mariano's Waiver Picks - Get 'Em While They're Hot (Premium Content)

All other Premium Tools can be accessed on the premium dashboard. We're playing the back nine of May and leaving that "25% complete" sign for the fantasy baseball season in the dust. This time of year has been particularly exciting, as mega prospects are being called up left and right. Many are widely owned and […]