Hunter Strickland Has Grade 2 Lat Strain

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland's MRI exam showed a Grade 2 lat strain, so he won't require surgery. Strickland will be on the injured list for a while, but he should be stashed if possible as the team's clear closer when healthy. In the meantime, it'll likely be some combination of Cory Gearrin and Matthew […]

Yankees Could Use Opener For Domingo German's Outing

While New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German will pitch at some point on Monday against the Detroit Tigers, the Yankees are strongly considering the possibility of using an opener for the game. That will ultimately depend on the use of the bullpen for Sunday's game, currently in a rain delay. Should the game be rained out, […]

Dakota Hudson Moving To Bullpen For Now

The St. Louis Cardinals are temporarily moving to a four-man starting pitcher rotation as their future schedule features a number of days off. That means Dakota Hudson will be moving into the bullpen, although he will be available to start on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Hudson struggled in his first start this season, […]

Jeremy Jeffress Nearing Rehab Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) threw an inning in extended spring training on Saturday and will pitch again on Tuesday. If that goes well, he'll begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A San Antonio at the end of next week. Even though he's currently on the injured list, Jeffress became a lot more interesting […]

Brewers Unlikely To Sign Craig Kimbrel

The Milwaukee Brewers are unlikely to sign free-agent closer Craig Kimbrel, as they don't have enough room in the 2019 payroll to take on another contract of at least $18 million this year. Kimbrel turned down a $17.9 million one-year qualifying offer from the Red Sox over the winter. The hard-throwing right-hander would be a […]

Orioles Won't Have Set Closer For A While

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said it might be a while before the team has a set closer in 2019. Reliever Mychal Givens, who was expected to be the primary closer for the O's, pitched in the eighth inning of Saturday's win over the Yankees. Richard Bleier started the ninth inning but Mike Wright came […]

Dellin Betances Throws Off Mound Saturday

New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances (shoulder) threw off a mound on Saturday in Florida. "Another good day for Dellin. I feel like he's moving in the right direction. It's coming out better," manager Aaron Boone said. Barring any setbacks, the hard-throwing reliever could make his season debut in mid-April. Betances probably won't see […]

Ian Kennedy An Option For Saves In KC

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Ian Kennedy entered the regular season having started 277 straight games since his most recent relief outing in the majors. That run ended on Opening Day when he pitched the eighth inning for his first relief outing since Sept. 23, 2009. Kennedy then earned his first professional save on Saturday. […]

Brett Anderson, Blake Treinen Shut Down Halos

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Brett Anderson allowed just three hits with two walks while striking out four batters across six scoreless innings to post a win Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels. He was very efficient in the quality start, throwing 56 of his 96 pitches for strikes. Reliever J.B. Wendelken allowed two runs - […]

Josh Hader Records Second Save Saturday

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Josh Hader threw an immaculate inning to secure the save against the Cardinals on Saturday, striking out the side on nine pitches. This now makes Hader two for two in save chances so far this season and has been excellent in both. Hader seems to be solidifying himself as the teams closer […]

Carl Edwards Jr. Fails To Record An Out

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. failed to record an out on Saturday versus the Texas Rangers. Edwards walked two batters and allowed two hits, which included a three-run home run to Joey Gallo to give the Rangers the lead. Edwards is a good candidate for owners looking for holds, but it may be […]

Mike Wright Earns First Career Save Saturday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Mike Wright picked up the first save of his career in Saturday's 5-3 game against the Yankees. Fellow reliever Mychal Givens pitched the eighth inning and Richard Bleier started the ninth inning up 5-1, but proceeded to give up a solo home run, a double and a single. Wright entered the game […]

Yonny Chirinos To Start Sunday

The Tampa Bay Rays will opt to start pitcher Yonny Chirinos on Sunday against the Houston Astros. In 2018, Chirinos was mainly used as either the opener or followed the opener on bullpen days. However, he averaged roughly five innings per appearance, totaling 89 2/3 innings last year and pitched to a 3.51 ERA with […]

Jimmy Yacabonis Earns First Win Of 2019 Saturday

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jimmy Yacabonis picked up the win in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Yankees. Yacabonis pitched three innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks with two strikeouts. He entered the game in the third inning, as Nate Karns pitched the first two innings as an opener. Yacabonis is not currently […]

Jose Alvarado Posts Second Save In As Many Days

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado earned his second save in two days in the Rays win over the Houston Astros on Saturday. He didn’t get into any trouble in this one, pitching a clean inning while striking out two. He should rack up quite a few save opportunities this year and is a low-profile […]

Seth Lugo Gives Mets Late Scare

Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning Saturday afternoon in Washington D.C., the New York Mets held a comfortable seven-run lead. Manager Mickey Callaway called on Seth Lugo to close out the game, but that became significantly more difficult than originally thought. Lugo allowed a pair of walks, suffered an error on defense and […]

Hunter Strickland Placed On Injured List

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right lat strain. Strickland appeared to injure himself versus the Red Sox Friday night but stayed in the game only to give up the game-winning, three-run home run. It's unclear how long he'll be out of action but is expected […]

Ken Giles Grabs First Save Of The Season

Toronto Blue Jays closer Ken Giles allowed one hit in an inning of work to pick up his first save of the season during a 3-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Saturday. The fiery right-hander has now converted 32 consecutive save opportunities dating back to 2017. The 28-year-old is not an elite closing option […]

Sergio Romo (SP/RP, MIA) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Leagues OWNED IN: 31% of Yahoo! leagues ANALYSIS: Despite starting a few games last season, make no mistake, Romo was a closer last year. He earned 25 saves with a 10.02 K/9, a 2.67 BB/9 and a 4.14 ERA - with a 3.32 SIERA. He is now in line to be […]

Trevor Rosenthal Initiates Bullpen Collapse Against Mets

Washington Nationals relief pitchers Trevor Rosenthal and Kyle Barraclough combined to allow four runs in the eighth inning of the team's 11-8 loss to the New York Mets Saturday before Matt Grace struck out Robinson Cano to end the inning. Grace and Wander Suero then allowed another three runs in the ninth. The runs added […]

David Robertson To Be Used In Highest-Leverage Spot

Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler plans to use reliever David Robertson anywhere between the seventh and ninth inning this season depending on how the high-leverage situations play out. Robertson signed a two-year contract this offseason, and this plan was verbalized to the right-hander before he signed the dotted line. He's the most experienced arm in […]

Yankees Manager Not Concerned With Aroldis Chapman's Low Velocity

New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman threw 12 fastballs in his appearance Thursday versus the Orioles and averaged only 95.3 mph on his heaters. Chapman averaged 99.1 mph a season ago and has flirted in the triple-digit range throughout his career, but this drop is worth noting. Manager Aaron Boone isn't concerned, stating that he'll […]

Matt Barnes Records First Save

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Matt Barnes netted his first save of the 2019 season in a 7-6 victory over the Mariners on Friday evening. He needed just 12 pitches to register the save while striking out two of the three batters he faced. Barnes' opportunity came after the Sox climbed out of a 6-1 […]

After Hours With RotoBaller Radio: MLB Very Early Season Thoughts

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. You can also find new weekly shows on BlogTalkRadio live or on demand, SoundCloud and on iTunes […]

Greg Holland Nails Down First Save

Arizona Diamondbacks new closer Greg Holland struck out two batters in a perfect 13th inning to secure his first save of the season in Friday's marathon game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He worked a tidy frame, throwing nine of his 11 pitches for strikes, including first-pitch strikes to each of the three batters he […]

Jacob Barnes Rocked In Friday's Loss

Milwaukee Brewers reliever Jacob Barnes gave up three runs on three hits through his one inning of relief in Friday's loss to the Cardinals. Barnes was a potential candidate for saves while Jeremy Jeffress and Corey Knebel were out, but this outing may influence that. Barnes was given chances and saves last season and didn't […]

Hunter Strickland Blows Save, Leaves With Possible Injury

Seattle Mariners closer Hunter Strickland had a night to forget as he blew the team's 6-4 lead in the ninth inning Friday. Strickland served up a double and then beaned a batter to begin the inning and appeared to have an injury issue afterward. The team's trainer was called to the mound to examine Strickland […]

Jose Alvarado First Up For Saves In Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays reliever Jose Alvarado was called upon to close out the game against the Houston Astros on Friday. Alvarado had been suspected to be the primary closer for the Rays, and this puts those questions at ease for the time being. With the Rays up by two runs in the ninth, Alvarado came […]

Jeremy Jeffress A Couple Weeks Away

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress (shoulder) is pitching every three days and will do so again on Saturday. General manager David Stearns said that Jeffress is a couple of weeks away from a return. Even though Jeffress is starting the season on the injured list, he just got a little more intriguing for those […]

Corey Knebel To Have Tommy John Surgery

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Corey Knebel (elbow) said he has decided to have season-ending Tommy John reconstructive surgery on his right elbow. The hard-throwing right-hander will miss all of the 2019 season, so he can be safely cut in any fantasy leagues in which he was owned. With Jeremy Jeffress on the injured list, Josh […]