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. […]

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 […]