Sam Howard Recalled From Triple-A

The Colorado Rockies have recalled rookie pitcher Sam Howard from Triple-A Albuquerque to cover for Harrison Musgrave after the All-Star break. Musgrave was sidelined due to a strained hip flexor, but the team expects him back after missing just one series. In the meantime, Howard may get the chance to see a little action for […]

Harrison Musgrave Placed On Disabled List

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Harrison Musgrave was placed on the 10-day disabled list due to a strained hip flexor after he pitched three innings against the Mariners on Saturday. Musgrave labored through the appearance, allowing three earned runs while striking out no one, so the injury isn't terribly surprising. Like just about everyone else in […]

Wade Davis Making Mechanical Adjustment

Colorado Rockies closer Wade Davis figured something out recently about his fastball movement. "Probably a month and a half ago, I was cutting the fastball a lot, especially here [at Coors Field], and I wasn't sure why," Davis said. "I was getting a lot of late right-to-left movement that I had never seen before. That […]

Tyson Ross, Brad Hand Drawing Trade Interest

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross, closer Brad Hand and reliever Kirby Yates are drawing trade interest from other teams, with the New York Yankees among teams that have checked in. Hand was expected to be the Padres' best trade chip heading into the year, but Ross has also surprised in a bounce-back year […]

Trading Up: Mid-Tier and Bargain Buys (Pitchers)

This article is the third in our series on trade targets for the second half of the season. Part 1 focused on players generally ranked in the top 50. Part 2 focused on mid-tier and bargain targets for offense. This installment focuses on pitchers ranked outside the top 50. Part four will focus on players […]

AL-Only Waiver Wire Team of the Week: MLB Week 16

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 […]

Zach Britton Picks Up Second Straight Save Sunday

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the second straight game in Sunday's 6-5 win over the Rangers. Britton allowed one hit and a walk with no strikeouts while earning his fourth save of the season. While the walk rate is still high (5.52 BB/9), Britton looks to have found his […]

Ryan Tepera Activated From DL Sunday

Toronto Blue Jays reliever Ryan Tepera returned from the disabled list on Sunday. Tepera had been pitching well prior to heading to the disabled list and had been getting the lion's share of save opportunities with Roberto Osuna being suspended. The waters are a little more murky now though with Tyler Clippard and Seunghwan Oh […]

The Cut List (Week 16): Time to Move On?

Welcome to Week 16 of the Cut List. This week I’m taking a look at Eric Hosmer, Brandon Crawford, Marcell Ozuna, and Yangervis Solarte. All of these guys have been viable standard league options at one point or another this year, but have recently hit cold streaks that have hampered their fantasy value. Sure, Eric […]

Kenley Jansen Takes Third Loss Of Season Saturday

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen fell to 0-3 this season in Saturday's 5-4 extra-inning loss to the Angels. Jansen entered the tied game in the top of the 10th inning and gave up a single hit, a solo home run to Cole Kalhoun. He also had a strikeout. Despite the loss, Jansen still remains […]

Zach Britton Earns Third Save Of Season Saturday

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton locked down his third save of the season in a 1-0 win against the Rangers. Britton came on to pitch the ninth inning up a run and allowed no runs on no hits and a walk with two strikeouts. The lefty seems to have found himself after a rough start […]

Rays Acquire Relief Pitcher Hoby Milner

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired relief pitcher Hoby Milner from the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations. Ryan Weber was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Milner has pitched to a 7.71 ERA in 2018, but carried a 2.01 ERA over 37 games in 2017. He'll work in middle relief for the Rays and […]

Kyle Barraclough Shaky but Still Earns Save on Saturday

Miami Marlins closer Kyle Barraclough allowed two hits in the ninth but was able to escape from trouble without allowing a run, earning his ninth save of the season. Barraclough has looked solid in his role as the closer and now carries a 1.28 ERA to go with a 47/23 K/BB ratio. He has converted […]

Carl Edwards Jr. Placed on Paternity Leave

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. has been placed on paternity leave with Rob Zastryzny being recalled in a corresponding move. Edwards Jr. will be away from the team throughout the All-Star break and will return shortly after. Currently he holds no fantasy value in leagues outside of those who count holds.

Santiago Casilla Designated for Assignment

The Oakland Athletics have designated relief pitcher Santiago Casilla for assignment. Casilla has a strong 3.16 ERA in 2018, however his 22/20 K/BB ratio is less than desirable. Clearly the A's felt like they were better off with the other options in their bullpen over Casilla. He'll likely pass through waivers before being released. There's […]

Roberto Osuna Makes First Minor League Appearance Since May Arrest

Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna made his first minor league appearance on Saturday, allowing a hit and striking out one in a scoreless inning for the Gulf Coast League Blue Jays. Osuna is still serving a 75-game suspension for an domestic assault charge in May. He is eligible to return on August 5 and […]

Christian Bergman Optioned to Triple-A, Matt Fiesta Called Up

After starting Friday's game in Colorado, Bergman is being sent down to Triple-A Tacoma until his services are needed. It is unclear exactly when that will be, however, with James Paxton currently on the DL, it's fair to assume that he could be back up shortly after the All-Star break. Bergman has started two games […]

Felipe Vazquez Gets 22nd Save In Game 1 Saturday

Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Vasquez secured the victory in Game 1 of the doubleheader against the Milwaukee Brewers Saturday and notched his 22nd save of the season. He struck out the first batter he faced, and got the final two outs on batted balls. Vasquez is the 12th ranked closer in ESPN head-to-head leagues and […]

Alex Claudio Placed On Disabled List

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Alex Claudio has been placed on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to Wednesday, due to a sprained left ankle. Claudio has been a relatively minor part of the Rangers bullpen this season, and has not had a great deal of success. So far in 38 appearances, Claudio has thrown 41 2/3 […]

Arodys Vizcaino Heads Back To Disabled List

Atlanta Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino has been placed on the 10-day disabled with shoulder inflammation. Peter Moylan has been activated for Saturday's game. This is the same injury he missed time with already in 2018. A.J. Minter is the likeliest to get save opportunities but Dan Winkler could be in the mix as well. The […]

Nate Jones Throws Second Bullpen Session

Chicago White Sox reliever Nate Jones (arm) is inching closer to a return. The righty threw his second live bullpen session on Saturday without any issues, and a minor league rehab assignment seems imminent. Jones was effective before his injury, as he has posted a solid 2.55 ERA and 1.83 WHIP through 24 2/3 innings. […]

Scott Alexander Earns First Save Of Season Friday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Scott Alexander picked up his first save of the season in Friday's 3-2 game against the Angels. He came on to start the ninth and worked around two hits, allowing no runs with no strikeouts. Kenley Jansen was merely getting the night off, so Alexander should not see many more […]

Indians Discussing Mychal Givens

The Cleveland Indians have discussed relief pitcher Mychal Givens with the Baltimore Orioles, according to a source. The Indians are prioritizing controllable relief pitchers that can pitch multiple innings. Givens isn't the most attractive relief arm, but the Indians need all the help they can get in their beleaguered bullpen with Andrew Miller still injured. […]

Shane Greene Fires Scoreless Inning In Return

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene (shoulder) returned from the disabled list on Friday and worked a scoreless inning with two hits and a strikeout, though it was not a save situation. Manager Ron Gardenhire clearly wanted to get Greene some work as quickly as possible with his return to the team, but the Tiger offense couldn't […]

Week 16 Waiver Wire Watch List

The all-star break is almost here, which means we’re getting ever so close to the MLB trade deadline and, of course, the fantasy trade deadline. The waiver wire can play just as important a role, too. Whether you’re unable to strike a deal or need to backfill your roster after completing a two-for-one trade, it’s […]

Keone Kela Grabs 23rd Save Friday

Texas Rangers closer Keone Kela locked down his 23rd save of the season on Friday. Considering he is the closer on a team which has won just 41 games this is an impressive return so far from Kela. Kela has been relatively under the radar this season partly because of playing on a bad team but […]

Pat Neshek Records First Save Of 2018

The bullpen carousel of the Philadelphia Phillies took another turn on Friday night, as manager Gabe Kapler went to yet another reliever to secure a save. This time it was up to Pat Neshek to close out a tight, two-run lead. Neshek, who made his season debut at the beginning of this month, retired the […]

Phillies Could Trade For Manny Machado And Zach Britton

The Philadelphia Phillies increased their offer to the Baltimore Orioles for shortstop Manny Machado on Friday, but it's unclear what exactly they are offering. If they do a deal including both Machado and closer Zach Britton, they'll have to pay a higher price in talent. Philadelphia is reluctant to part with their top prospect, Sixto […]

Cody Allen Allows a Run but Picks Up a Save on Friday

Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen allowed a run on two hits and a walk on Friday, but picked up his 19th save of the season. His ERA moved to 4.78 and while he has had some concerning slumps this season, he's also had some strong hot streaks. He's a decent buy-low candidate, but there's always […]

Sean Doolittle Playing Catch Friday

Washington Nationals closer Sean Doolittle (foot) is wearing cleats and playing catch on Friday. Doolittle is on the disabled list with a pinched nerve in his foot but should be ready to rejoin the team for the start of the second half of the season. The southpaw has been one of the best closers in […]