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 […]

Trevor Gott Lands On 10-Day Injured List

The San Francisco Giants placed relief pitcher Trevor Gott (forearm) on the 10-day injured list due to a strained right forearm. They recalled pitcher Dereck Rodriguez from Triple-A Sacramento in the corresponding move. Until recently, Gott had been the most effective reliever for the Giants, posting a 1.93 ERA until he served up three runs […]

Andrew Suarez Sent Down As Giants Turnstile Continues

The San Francisco Giants optioned starting pitcher Andrew Suarez to Triple-A Sacramento on Sunday, and they recalled reliever Sam Coonrod from the River Cats in the corresponding move. Suarez was pounded for nine runs - seven earned - and nine hits with three walks over just four innings against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his most […]

Tony Cingrani Experiences Setback In Rehab

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tony Cingrani (shoulder) had a setback with his shoulder during a minor-league rehab appearance on Friday, according to manager Dave Roberts. The veteran reliever will have his shoulder checked out again. It's unfortunate for Cingrani, as he has been ramping up his activity and looking sharp, posting a 1-0 record, […]

Jaime Barria Optioned To Triple-A On Sunday

The Los Angeles Angels optioned right-handed pitcher Jaime Barria to Triple-A Salt Lake on Sunday, making room for returning starting pitcher Andrew Heaney. Barria has been a disaster so far this season, turning in an ugly 8.16 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across three relief appearances and a start over 14 1/3 innings. While he has […]

Vince Velasquez Staying In Bullpen

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Vince Velasquez will remain in the bullpen according to manager Gabe Kapler. Velasquez had been in the Injured List since May 6 and made his first appearance Friday after being activated. This means Nick Pivetta should get the call to start Tuesday vs the Cardinals. Velasquez pitched two scoreless innings with four […]

Shawn Kelley Blows Save Vs Angels

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Shawn Kelley couldn't protect a one-run lead Saturday giving up two earned runs in his second blown save of the season. Kelley retired the first batter he faced before giving up a single and double to tie the game. After recording the second out, he allowed a pop-up that landed in […]

Roberto Osuna Blows First save

Houston Astros relief pitcher Roberto Osuna blew his first save of the season Saturday night vs Boston. Osuna came into a two-run game and promptly loaded the bases with nobody out. He then gave up a two-run single to Christian Vazquez to tie the game. Osuna was able to escape the inning without any further […]

Red Sox Option Colten Brewer, Recall Darwinzon Hernandez

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Colten Brewer was optioned to Triple-A Pawtucket Saturday night, and in his place, the Sox recalled reliever Darwinzon Hernandez from Double-A Portland. Brewer threw 2 1/3 innings in last night's loss, so the team needed a fresh arm for Sunday's game against Houston. Hernandez, a 22-year-old southpaw will begin his […]

Two-Start Pitchers for Week 9: 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 […]

Scott Oberg (RP, COL) - Week 9 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: With Wade Davis hitting the IL recently with an oblique injury, it was announced that Scott Oberg would take over closer duties for the Colorado Rockies. While there is varying weight to such declarations, Oberg seems like a logical choice with his 1.69 ERA […]