Chase Anderson To Start 2019 In Bullpen

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson will start the 2019 season in the bullpen, according to manager Craig Counsell. Counsell announced Thursday that the rotation will have Jhoulys Chacin start on opening day with Freddy Peralta, Corbin Burnes, Brandon Woodruff, and Zach Davies filling out the rest of the spots. This is bad news for […]

Daniel Hudson Goes From Halos To The Jays

The Los Angeles Angels released pitcher Daniel Hudson and he has quickly caught on with the Toronto Blue Jays. Manager Charlie Montoyo said on Monday that a deal for Hudson is done, and that he will be included on the Opening Day roster. Infielder Devon Travis (knee) was placed on the 60-day injured list to […]

Three Pitchers Vying For Two Bullpen Spots

The Texas Rangers are still deciding between relief pitchers Kyle Bird, Connor Sadzeck and Adrian Sampson for their final two spots for an eight-man bullpen. The team also could acquire an arm from outside of the organization, too. Beat writer Jared Sandler considers Bird to have a leg up, as the team would then be […]

Zach McAllister Released By The Rangers

The Texas Rangers granted pitcher Zach McAllister his unconditionally release on Monday. The 31-year-old right-hander will try and catch on with another organization, but it's highly unlikely he'll have a very meaningful role. He hasn't been a regular part of a rotation since 2014 with the Cleveland Indians. If he finds work elsewhere, it's likely […]

Logan Allen, Cal Quantrill Squander Starting Opportunity

With the fifth starting spot for the San Diego Padres rotation wide open, pitchers Logan Allen and Cal Quantrill were both unable to capitalize. The two youngsters allowed 13 runs combined Sunday, leaving the backend of the Friars pitching staff in question. The 21-year-old Allen and 24-year-old Quantrill entered spring training as the Padres No. […]

Kyle Zimmer Healthy And Effective

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Kyle Zimmer may finally see the big leagues in 2019. Zimmer was Kansas City's first-round pick in 2012, taken at No. 5 overall, and he has been a massive bust up to this point. Zimmer's limitation has always been his health, as he's usually been pretty effective when he's actually […]

Zach Britton Flashes Old Form As Spring Concludes

The New York Yankees signed reliever Zach Britton to a three-year contract this offseason after acquiring him via trade from the Orioles last July. While he posted a 2.88 ERA in 25 games for the club, he was still a far cry from his best years in Baltimore, before an Achilles injury. This Spring, however, […]

Kenley Jansen Expected To Be Fine After Scare

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen (leg) was hit in the right leg by a comebacker during his eighth-inning appearance against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in a Freeway Series exhibition game. After the game he said he felt fine, and added that he was removed due to his pitch count, as he is expected […]

Josh James Makes Opening Day Roster

Houston Astros pitcher Josh James cracked a spot on the 25-man roster for Opening Day. He's pitched 3 1/3 innings in Spring Training so far and appears to be 100% heading into the season after suffering a quad strain. While there was hope that he would be a starter amongst the fantasy community due to […]

Nick Kingham Allows One Hit In Relief Sunday

Pittsburgh Pirates starter Nick Kingham held the Orioles split squad scoreless on Sunday, allowing just one hit and striking out two. Kingham will likely come out of the bullpen to start the season but could enter the rotation if fifth starter Jordan Lyles falters. The 27-year old struggled to a 5.21 ERA last season and […]

Greg Holland (RP, ARI) - Fantasy Baseball Closer Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 200 CURRENT ADP: ~370 overall ANALYSIS: After leading the National League with 41 saves in 2017, Holland signed with St. Louis where he proceeded to post a 7.92 ERA and 2.24 WHIP over 25 innings with the Cardinals. Holland was eventually released on August 1, and six days later he signed with […]

Greg Holland Named D-Backs Closer

Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Greg Holland will serve as the team's closer this year, with Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano serving as late-inning setup men. The 33-year-old does have the most closing experience in Arizona's bullpen with 189 career saves over eight big league seasons. The right-hander posted a league-leading 41 saves in 2017 with […]

Braves Pitchers Rehabbing Sunday

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Mike Foltynewicz (elbow) will throw live batting practice on Sunday, which will be the first time he's faced hitters since his elbow started bothering him after his Feb. 24 spring debut. Reliever A.J. Minter (shoulder) will throw an inning in a minor league game in his first outing since he faced […]

Cardinals Excited About Alex Reyes

The St. Louis Cardinals are excited about the potential of pitcher Alex Reyes as he enters the 2019 season fully healthy. The right-hander is ranked as the team's top prospect for the fourth straight year after the 24-year-old's career was interrupted by a pair of arm surgeries over the last few seasons. Reyes will open […]

Felipe Vazquez Continues Scoreless Spring

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vazquez pitched a scoreless inning on Saturday, giving up a walk while striking out one in a win against the Phillies. Vazquez has only made five spring appearances thanks to an illness early in camp. However, he has shown no ill effects, having not allowed a run thus far. Vazquez remains […]

2019 Fantasy Baseball Busts - RotoBaller Staff Picks

As you get ready for last-minute drafts or reflect on recent results, we wanted to give our staff the chance to share their least favorite preseason ADP values. We recently polled some of our fantasy baseball writers to get their take on which hitters and pitchers they are likely to avoid in the early rounds of […]

Pitchers Who Changed Scenes - Preseason Risers and Fallers

Several impact hitters switched teams for 2019, but other than Patrick Corbin, not so many pitchers, especially as we await the fates of Dallas Keuchel and Craig Kimbrel. And, if Milwaukee signs Kimbrel in light of Corey Knebel's elbow, it shouldn't be that different an experience for his shareholders than Boston was last season given […]

Rick Lucks' Bold Predictions for 2019

Our series of Bold Predictions continue with my piece. I've had success with this exercise in the past, but last year was easily my worst performance to date. That said, I am traditionally one of the boldest authors on this series, and I think you'll agree that the predictions below will at least let me […]

Colten Brewer, Hector Velazquez Round Out Red Sox Bullpen

Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora confirmed on Saturday that relief pitchers Colten Brewer and Hector Velazquez will make the Opening Day roster as members of the Sox's bullpen. The 25-year-old Brewer was acquired from the Padres in November and threw 10 innings this spring, scattering nine hits, allowing four earned runs, while fanning 10 […]

Hunter Strickland (RP, SEA) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 250 ANALYSIS: Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Hunter Strickland is looking for a better year in 2019. His 2018 season started out decently enough, but a broken hand after a blown save landed him on the disabled list and he wasn't nearly as effective upon his return. Strickland gives up a lot of […]

Arodys Vizcaino (RP, ATL) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 250 ANALYSIS: Arodys Vizcaino started the 2018 season as the Braves’ closer, hit the DL, came back, lost the job, hit the DL again, and then seemingly finished the season strong. The final line for Vizcaino’s season actually looks quite good with a 2.11 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a 9.39 K/9. […]

Jose Alvarado (RP, TB) - Fantasy Baseball Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Draft target ~pick 190 ANALYSIS: Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado has performed well enough to cement himself as the opening day closer for the team. He followed up a solid introductory year in 2017 with an even more impressive performance in 2018. Alvarado threw 64 innings, striking out 80 batters and racking up eight […]

Heath Fillmyer Optioned To Triple-A

The Kansas City Royals officially optioned pitcher Heath Fillmyer to Triple-A Omaha on Saturday. Fillmyer is/was considered to be in the running for the fifth starting role in the rotation, but the team has three scheduled off days in the first eight days of the season, so they're expected to kind of drag their feet […]

Wily Peralta Expected To Remain In Save's Mix

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Wily Peralta performed well last season when he took over the closer role late in the year, but some underlying concerns have led to him starting the season as part of a late-inning committee. While Peralta was effective at closing out games, he was constantly plagued by baserunners, mostly due […]

Ian Kennedy Relegated To Bullpen

The Kansas City Royals have sent pitcher Ian Kennedy to the bullpen to start the season. It will be Kennedy's first time pitching out of the bullpen since 2009, but he absolutely wasn't working as a starter for the team. Kennedy has alternated between being bad and atrocious over the last two years, so something […]

Brian Flynn Sidelined With Elbow Issue

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Brian Flynn has been hampered by a sore elbow, and that likely means he'll start the season on the Injured List if he makes the roster. Flynn shined with the team in 2016, but he fell apart in 2017, like much of the Kansas City pitching staff. The hope was […]

Danny Duffy Could Head To Bullpen In 2019

What the Kansas City Royals are going to do with ace starting pitcher Danny Duffy seems to be a bit of a conundrum at this point. Duffy is expected to start the season on the Injured List due to his ongoing shoulder injury, but when he does return, it's not even clear that he'll be […]

After Hours with RotoBaller Radio: Starting Pitcher Preview Part 4

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 […]

March ADP Musings - Overvalued / Undervalued Relief Pitchers

If you've played fantasy baseball long enough, you've heard some variation of the phrase "don't pay for saves" before. If you're new to the fantasy baseball community, you'll get used to it soon enough. The long-form version, for those of you who are indeed trying out fantasy baseball for the first time, is this: bullpen […]

Bill Dubiel's 10 Bold Predictions

Oh yeah. You knew @Roto_Dubs was closing this bad boy. After all that soft cheddar you gotta bring that Jordan Hicks FIRE in the ninth! I kid, my colleagues are MOSTLY terrific (*sideways glance at Kyle*). Love doing these every year, no matter how tragic the final results are. This series is a chance to take our […]