Shane Greene Logs First Save On Opening Day

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene took the ball in the bottom of the 10th inning and was asked to protect a two-run lead on Opening Day on Thursday. He did not disappoint. Greene delivered a perfect inning and struck out one to secure the victory for the visiting Tigers. Greene's ERA was an unsightly 5.12 last […]

Josh Hader Records Multi-Inning Save

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader pitched two perfect innings and secured the save for Milwaukee's win against the Cardinals while striking out four. With Corey Knebel and Jeremy Jeffres both starting the year on the injured list, it is no surprise that Hader would be first in line for saves. Hader remains a valuable reliever […]

Edwin Diaz Records Save On Opening Day

The New York Mets enjoyed superb pitching on Thursday afternoon, shutting out the Washington Nationals for an Opening Day victory. The very last pitcher to take the hill was closer Edwin Diaz, making his season debut with the club after being acquired from the Seattle Mariners in the offseason. Diaz threw just 14 pitches and […]

Josh Tomlin Makes Braves' Opening Day Roster

Facing a litany of injuries to their pitching staff, the Atlanta Braves have named veteran right-hander Josh Tomlin to the 25-man roster for Opening Day. The 34-year-old, who began the spring with the Brewers before being released, will likely serve as the long reliever out of the bullpen. A casualty of Tomlin's promotion is Adam […]

Will Smith To Close For Giants

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Will Smith was named the team's closer by manager Bruce Bochy on Thursday. Smith, who struck out seven and walked two in six shutout innings during spring training, beat out Mark Melancon for the role. Smith was considered to be the favorite but now it's official, so if he's somehow […]

Bryan Mitchell Cut By Padres

The San Diego Padres designated starter Bryan Mitchell for assignment in their final round of transactions before Opening Day. The Friars acquired Mitchell last season via trade but he quickly fell out of favor with a horrendous 5.42 ERA and major control issues. Given an opportunity to regain a starting job this spring, Mitchell was […]

Jeremy Jeffress Placed On 10-Day Injured List

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) was placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday afternoon. Jeffress would have been the favorite for the closer role with Corey Knebel (elbow) sidelined, but he is not expected to be back until mid-April. Jeffress threw a bullpen session without any issue on Thursday and is scheduled to […]

Kev's 10 Bold Predictions for 2019

That's GOLD, Jerry! GOLD! RotoSurgeon here with my first ever "gold predictions" piece. Many of you may not be familiar with my work because I have not been with RotoBaller as long as some of my esteemed colleagues. It is reasonable to not trust nor care about what I say because of my lack of […]

Corey Knebel Determining Fate On Friday

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Corey Knebel (elbow) said he'll decide on Friday whether to undergo Tommy John surgery or attempt to rehab his ulnar collateral ligament. Knebel aggravated the injury during spring training. The 27-year-old is going to be sidelined for a considerable amount of time, regardless of the decision. The Brewers are likely going to […]

Using Sabermetrics For Fantasy Baseball Part 15 - Ballpark Factors

If you have ever selected a streamable pitcher based on home park or benched an otherwise must-start arm at Coors Field, you already know how much a stadium can impact a player's bottom line. Ballpark Factors quantify the influence each stadium has, allowing you to make the most of your fantasy team's real-life schedule. Today, […]

Red Sox Not Naming Closer Before Opening Day

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora said he won't name a closer with Opening Day on Thursday. However, Cora said he's known since November how he'd approach the ninth inning, he's just not tipping his hand. Matt Barnes and Ryan Brasier will likely be used in situations with the highest leverage at the end of […]

Michael A. Taylor, Howie Kendrick Begin On Injured List

The Washington Nationals placed outfielder Michael A. Taylor (hip, knee), second baseman Howie Kendrick (hamstring) and relief pitcher Koda Glover (forearm) on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday. All three players likely won't be ready until at least mid-April, with Taylor's injuries likely to keep him out possibly until May. Taylor has an intriguing mix […]

After Hours With RotoBaller Radio: MLB Opening Day 2019 Preview

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and gets you warmed up for the MLB preseason. This radio show is sponsored by our good friends over at RT Sports. Be sure to check out their Best Ball leagues, drafting every day, and their awesome contest the RealTime Fantasy Sports Baseball Championship with a […]

What's In Your Wallet? My Most-Owned Players in 2019

After a difficult 2018 season, I took stock of what had gone wrong and identified one potential source of trouble: Too many leagues across too many platforms. So, naturally, this is how I responded to that revelation this year: Me in January: Remember not to do too many leagues on too many different sites again, […]

Updated Relief Pitcher Rankings - 5x5 Roto (Mixed Leagues)

We're back up on the bump for this edition of our mixed rankings analysis, and not a moment too soon. The 2019 baseball season is already here! RotoBaller writers Nick Mariano, JB Branson, Bill Dubiel, Pierre Camus, and Scott Engel want to make sure you are prepared for last-minute drafts, so they have given their […]

Drew Pomeranz Cracks Giants Rotation

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Drew Pomeranz made the 25-man Opening Day roster and will be the fifth man in the rotation along with Madison Bumgarner, Derek Holland, Dereck Rodriguez and Jeff Samardzija. Pomeranz was absolutely awful last year for Boston, putting up a 2-6 record and a 6.08 ERA in 74 innings pitched. He's shown […]

Jeremy Jeffress To Throw Wednesday

Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell said that relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) will throw live batting practice on Wednesday and then go with the team to Milwaukee for Opening Day. Jeffress will then return to Arizona to pitch in games at minor league camp. The team is hoping that he'll only miss around two to […]

Nick Kingham Named To 25-Man Roster

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Nick Kingham was named to the Opening Day roster, the team announced on Tuesday. Also joining him on the season-opening 25-man roster are relief pitcher Nick Burdi, utilityman Pablo Reyes, and shortstop Kevin Newman. Kingham was fighting for the team's fifth rotation spot this spring but will instead start the season out […]

Nate Karns To Serve As Opener Saturday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Nate Karns will start as the opener on Saturday against the Yankees. Karns will mostly pitch in relief for Baltimore to begin the year, so he shouldn't be owned in fantasy leagues. The 31-year-old right-hander didn't pitch at all in 2018 because of injury and wasn't very effective in mostly a starting […]

After Hours With RotoBaller Radio: MLB 2019 Bold Predictions

Host Anthony Aniano of RotoBaller Radio discuss the 2019 fantasy baseball season and gets you warmed up for the MLB preseason. This radio show is sponsored by our good friends over at RT Sports. Be sure to check out their Best Ball leagues, drafting every day, and their awesome contest the RealTime Fantasy Sports Baseball Championship with a […]

Angels Trade For Chris Stratton

The Los Angeles Angels acquired pitcher Chris Stratton from the San Francisco Giants on Monday night in exchange for left-hander Williams Jerez. Stratton will prove much-needed rotation depth for the Angels, who won't have Andrew Heaney (elbow) to begin the year. The 28-year-old right-hander went 10-10 with a 5.09 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 112 strikeouts […]

Matt Wisler Placed On Waivers

The Cincinnati Reds placed starting pitcher Matt Wisler on waivers on Tuesday, as he was out of minor league options. Robert Stephenson and Wandy Peralta have secured Opening Day roster spots in the bullpen. Wisler was once a decent prospect with Atlanta, but he's posted a 5.14 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and weak 6.4 K/9 in […]

Twins To Play Matchups In Late Innings

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said the bullpen strategy to start the season will be to play the matchups and situations. However, he'll let things play out and is open-minded to changing that approach. Relievers Trevor May and Blake Parker are expected to accumulate saves throughout the year, and Baldelli also mentioned Taylor Rogers and […]

Corbin Burnes Earns A Rotation Spot

Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes has officially been named in the opening rotation. The Brewers announced on Thursday that Chase Anderson will start 2019 in the bullpen with Burnes taking his spot. Burnes has yet to start a game in the majors, but hold a 2.77 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in the minors while striking […]

Mike Foltynewicz, A.J. Minter To Rehab April 4

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) and relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) will both make rehab outings on April 4 with Triple-A Gwinnett in their season opener. Folty will start in a minor league game on Friday and throw roughly 50 pitches. He's expected to throw around 65-70 pitches for Gwinnett on April 4 […]

Alex Wilson Signs With Brewers

The Milwaukee Brewers signed free-agent reliever Alex Wilson to help bolster their bullpen. The Brewers have lost Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel recently and are in desperate need for some solid arms. Wilson posted a 3.36 ERA with a 1.05 WHIP last year with the Tigers and could be a big help for the Brewers […]

Daniel Norris To Open As Long Reliever

Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris will open the season as a long reliever after losing out on a rotation spot to Spencer Turnbull, manager Ron Gardenhire confirmed. Norris went 0-5 with a 5.68 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 in 11 games (eight starts) last year for the Tigers. The left-hander didn't help matters by […]

Jeremy Jeffress To Open Season On Injured List

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) will start 2019 on the injured list, according to manager Craig Counsell. Jeffress is currently dealing with shoulder fatigue, though the absence doesn't seem to be lengthy. Jeffress has already thrown a bullpen session but won't have enough time to rebuild strength by opening day. With Corey Knebel potentially being […]

Luis Severino, Dellin Betances Throw Monday

New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Severino (shoulder) and relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) both threw on Monday. Betances threw for the first time since being shut down and reported feeling good, according to manager Aaron Boone. Severino threw from 120 feet. Severino will miss at least all of April, but he's still a fantasy […]

A.J. Minter Makes Appearance Monday

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher A.J. Minter (shoulder) was set to throw an inning in a minor league game on Monday. Both he and starter Kevin Gausman will start the year on the injured list but will be eligible to return on April 4. There is no timetable for Minter, but he's not that far behind. […]