Finding the Next Josh Hader - Undervalued Relievers with Legit Upside

As the reliever game in the Majors has changed over the past few years, so must the fantasy community. With the growth of players like Josh Hader, Andrew Miller, and Ryan Pressly, the number of fastball-slider relievers, who can pitch multiple-innings, offer new chances to rack up Ks and holds. While not off to a […]

Mike Montgomery Throws Successful Bullpen Session

Chicago Cubs left-hander Mike Montgomery (lat) threw a successful bullpen session on Thursday, reporting no issues in a positive step towards his return. The 29-year-old was placed on the injured list last week with a lat strain after four dreadful appearances out of the bullpen. Montgomery is reportedly set for one more bullpen session over the […]

Andrew Miller Strikes Out the Side on Thursday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Andrew Miller tossed a strong inning in relief on Thursday, allowing a hit but striking out three. Miller needed just 14 pitches (11 strikes) to get through the ninth inning and seal an 11-7 win for the Cardinals. After a rough start to the season, Miller is showing some signs […]

Tigers-Twins Postponed For Friday

The game between the Detroit Tigers and Minnesota Twins scheduled for Friday has already been postponed due to inclement weather and will be made up as part of a split doubleheader on May 11. Michael Pineda was set to start for the Twins, going up against Daniel Norris, who is filling in for Matt Moore […]

Nationals Deal With Bud Norris Falls Through

The Washington Nationals deal with free-agent relief pitcher Bud Norris (forearm) has fallen through. The Nats felt he was still four to five weeks away from being ready to pitch in the majors. Norris had a 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings while also recording 28 saves for the Cardinals […]

AL-Only Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Waiver Wire Strategy - Recycling Post-Hype Draft Sleepers

Fantasy baseball is very much a “what have you done for me lately” environment. If players are playing poorly, fantasy managers will give up on them. All too often players are getting dropped that have no business being on the waiver wire. Some guys are just down on their luck and end up tossed into […]

Raisel Iglesias Earns First Save

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias struck out the side in a scoreless ninth inning on Wednesday to earn his first save of the season. With the Reds winning just their third game, this was the only save chance that they have handed to Iglesias in the young season. Overall, the 29-year-old has a 0-2 record, […]

Tyler Chatwood Scheduled To Start Sunday

With Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jon Lester on the injured list, the Cubs have apparently found their interim starter. Manager Joe Maddon announced Wednesday that Tyler Chatwood will start on Sunday, when Lester was next scheduled to start against the Angels. The 29-year-old has been abysmal since arriving in Chicago, pitching to a 7.20 ERA in […]

Richard Lovelady Called Up To Pitch In Bullpen

The Kansas City Royals summoned relief pitcher Richard Lovelady from Triple-A Omaha before Tuesday's game to take the place of Tim Hill, who was optioned. Lovelady was the Royals No. 16 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and he's been a stud out of the bullpen at every stop of his professional career. Last season, Lovelady […]

Braves-Rockies Postponed Wednesday

The game between the Atlanta Braves and Colorado Rockies has been postponed on Wednesday due to inclement weather. It has been rescheduled for Aug. 26. Kevin Gausman was scheduled to start for the Braves on Wednesday, with Jeff Hoffman going for the Rockies. Make sure to remove any players from either team from your fantasy […]

Take Advantage of Your Competitors' Early Season Panic Attack

You are a savvy fantasy manager. You’re committed. Patient. You have the gumption to see a task to the end. You don’t have shaky nerves. You don’t run at the first sign of controversy. You lean in and charge forward. Unfortunately, or maybe I should say fortunately, not all fantasy players are created equal. How […]

NL-Only Waiver Wire Pickups for Week 2

Every week in baseball, a significant player will hit the disabled list, slip into a slump, or get traded out of a good spot. How fantasy owners adapt to these situations can make or break the season as a whole. One lousy add might not hurt the long-term standing of a team, but failing to […]

Anthony Swarzak Notches Second Save

It appears that the Seattle Mariners have found their new closer. Anthony Swarzak was called upon in the ninth inning to preserve the team's three-run lead, and he did just that as he earned his second save of the season. Swarzak gave up a two-out single to Whit Merrifield but that was the only blemish […]

Jeremy Jeffress Scheduled To Rejoin Team On Next Homestand

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) will pitch in back-to-back games for Triple-A San Antonio on Tuesday and Wednesday. It's expected that he will rejoin the big-league club during their next homestand, which begins on Monday against St. Louis. Jeffress is an integral part of the Brewers bullpen after throwing 76 2/3 inning last […]

Heath Fillmyer Likely To Start Wednesday

The Kansas City Royals recalled pitcher Heath Fillmyer from the minors on Tuesday, and he's likely to make the start on Wednesday against the Mariners at home. The Royals also recalled Richard Lovelady from the minors on Tuesday. Fillmyer, 24, had a 4.26 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and weak 6.2 K/9 in 17 games (13 starts) […]

Roberto Osuna Off To Strong Start

Houston Astros closer Roberto Osuna converted his third save of the season in the Astros 4-3 win over the Yankees Monday night. Osuna is a perfect 3-for-3 thus far and has five strikeouts through five innings pitched. Osuna is a huge upgrade at the back end of the bullpen for a high-powered offense and is […]

Dakota Hudson To Make Second Start

Just days after being moved into the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen and even picking up a save, Dakota Hudson will make another start, 10 days after his first. The 24-year-old allowed four runs in his start before picking up the aforementioned save in his second and most recent appearance. Last season, he appeared in 28 […]

Jeff Hoffman Likely To Start Wednesday

Colorado Rockies pitcher Jeff Hoffman has joined the team in Denver and it seems likely he'll start Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. The 26-year-old is in position to start for Tyler Anderson, who is dealing with a knee injury that forced him to the injured list. Hoffman has sporadically been a member of the […]

Bud Norris Close To Signing Minor League Deal With The Nationals

Free-agent reliever Bud Norris has reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, pending a physical. Norris was released from his minor league contract by the Toronto Blue Jays last week. The Nationals bullpen has been a dumpster fire to start the season and Norris will look to be a calming presence. […]

Nate Karns Placed On Injured List

The Baltimore Orioles placed pitcher Nate Karns on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right forearm strain and recalled reliever Evan Phillips from Triple-A Norfolk in a corresponding move. Karns served as the opener for the O's in two games this year and hadn't allowed a run while striking out five in 5 […]

Kevin McCarthy Is Great At Blowing Games

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kevin McCarthy wasn't great last year, but his five relief wins and 3.25 ERA could seem attractive in some deep leagues. The good news is that he's making sure everyone knows not to roster him now. McCarthy was called on to find a way out of a bases-loaded jam on […]

Tim Hill Is Here To Make Things Worse

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Tim Hill was a mediocre lefty specialist last year. So far this year, he's a bad batting practice pitcher. Kansas City is in the midst of a seven-game losing streak, and Hill and his bullpen cohorts are one of the main reasons why. Called on to put out the fire […]

John Means To Start Tuesday, Dan Straily To Work Out Of 'Pen

Baltimore Orioles pitcher John Means will get the start on Tuesday against the A's, while the O's will use Dan Straily in relief for the time being. The long-term plan is to have Straily work out of the rotation. Means will not be a recommended fantasy streamer on Tuesday, while Straily will be a very […]

Joe Ross Joins Nationals Bullpen

Washington Nationals pitcher Joe Ross was recalled from Triple-A on Sunday to help the team's beleaguered bullpen. Ross was 1-0 with a 4.02 ERA in seven games in spring training and is unlikely to have any fantasy value in a relief role. The 25-year-old has strikeout upside but made only three starts for Washington in […]

Jeremy Jeffress Could Return On Next Homestand

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) threw 25 pitches in 1 1/3 innings with Triple-A San Antonio on Friday. The right-hander could make his season debut on the team's next homestand if he doesn't suffer any setbacks. Jeffress is expected to pitch again Monday or Tuesday and will likely make three to four more […]

Jordan Hicks Grabs His Second Save on Monday

St. Louis Cardinals closer Jordan Hicks picked up his second save of the season on Monday, tossing a scoreless ninth inning while allowing just a walk. Hicks recorded a strikeout and lowered his ERA to 3.18. He seems set in the ninth inning, making him an extremely valuable fantasy piece.

Alex Reyes Won't Be Starter In Minors

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Alex Reyes, who was sent to Triple-A Memphis on Saturday, will be pitching in a multi-inning role out of the bullpen on the farm, according to manager Mike Shildt. Reyes missed nearly two full seasons due to arm troubles that required surgery, and he allowed five runs and walked six in […]

Dellin Betances Throws To Hitters

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) threw to live hitters on Monday and the session was a success. He could move to a simulated game on Thursday, followed by a minor league rehab outing over the weekend, according to manager Aaron Boone. Betances might only need one rehab outing before being activated from […]

Tayron Guerrero An Option To Close Out Games?

Miami Marlins relief pitcher Tayron Guerrero had 11 pitches that touched at least 100 mph in the game against the Braves on Friday night, and he is raising questions as to whether he could work his way into the closer role. He spent the offseason working on his secondary pitches to complement his upper-90s fastball. […]