Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 14

Today and every Tuesday moving forward throughout the 2018 MLB season, we will take a deep dive into some of the lesser-owned relief pitchers on the market that are worth keeping tabs on. This can be a good tool for those in deeper holds leagues, although any pitcher in a position to make a move on […]

Bud Norris Records a Save With a Clean Ninth Inning

St. Louis Cardinals closer Bud Norris picked up his 16th save of the season on Monday, tossing a clean ninth inning with a strikeout. Norris has been excellent this season, saving 16 games in 18 chances and striking out 46 to go with only five walks. Not even meant to be the closer when the […]

Raisel Iglesias Rebounds In Monday's Outing

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias was in top form in Monday's 5-3 win against the White Sox, earning his 16th save of the season. Iglesias pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no runs, hits, or walks with two strikeouts. This came just a day after Iglesias allowed a two-run home run, albeit in a non-save […]

Joe Jimenez Blows First Save As New Closer

Detroit Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez was named the team's closer on Monday following Shane Greene's move to the disabled list with a strained shoulder. He got his first opportunity to close things out in his new role Monday against the Blue Jays, but blew the save by allowing the tying run in the ninth inning […]

Tyler Thornburg Likely to Be Activated Tuesday or Wednesday

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Tyler Thornburg (shoulder) is likely to be activated from the disabled list Tuesday or Wednesday. Thornburg had surgery last June and has been fairly underwhelming in his rehab outings. It is likely that Thornburg probably will not be vaulted into any high-leverage situations right away. As a non-closer relief pitcher […]

Jose Osuna Optioned; Enny Romero Cut For Nick Kingham

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jose Osuna was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday. Osuna only had 16 plate appearances in the month of June. He managed two hits and had four strikeouts. Enny Romero was also designated for assignment on Monday in order to make room for Nick Kingham. Kingham will start Monday against the Dodgers […]

Tony Cingrani Throwing Bullpen Session on Monday

Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Tony Cingrani (shoulder) is throwing a bullpen session on Monday. Cingrani has been sidelined for roughly a month with a strained left shoulder. It's unclear when he'll be back in the bullpen, but throwing a bullpen session is good news. He belongs on the waiver wire in all leagues right […]

Peter Moylan Lands on 10-Day DL

Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Peter Moylan (forearm) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list on Monday. The team is calling the injury a right forearm strain. It's unclear how long Moylan will be sidelined. He was not someone worth owning in basically any leagues when healthy. It's unclear who the Braves will recall to […]

Joe Jimenez Earns Win on Monday

Detroit Tigers reliever Joe Jimenez struggled on Monday but still earned a win against the Blue Jays, pitching one inning and allowing one run while walking three and striking out one. Jimenez was just named the team's interim closer while Shane Greene is on the DL and needs to be picked up immediately.

Athletics Send Liam Hendriks To Triple-A

Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Liam Hendriks has been sent to Triple-A on Monday after clearing waivers. Hendricks has struggled in 2018, pitching to a 7.36 ERA. He has also struggled with a groin injury. Hendricks will likely get an opportunity later in 2018, but for now he needs to be left on all waiver wires.

Brad Keller Throws First Complete Game

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller was on fire through June, and he's continued it into July. Keller threw a one-run complete game against the Mariners on Sunday, allowing just six hits in a tidy 102-pitch effort. He took the loss due to a run that scored off three straight singles in the second […]

Braves Recall Michael Reed and Evan Phillips

The Atlanta Braves have recalled outfielder Michael Reed and Evan Phillips while demoting Matt Wisler and placing Peter Moylan on the 10-day DL with a forearm strain. Both Reed and Phillips have been fantastic in the minors this season, with Reed hitting .337 with nine home runs and seven steals over 74 minor league games […]

Adam Ottavino Loses Again

For the third time in his last four outings, Colorado Rockies reliever Adam Ottavino blew a lead. Called upon to face the hot-hitting Matt Kemp in the eighth inning of a tie game, Ottavino promptly gave up a solo shot to lead off the inning. He then gave up three more hits and one more […]

Red Sox Interested in Trio of Marlins Relievers

The Boston Red Sox are reportedly interested in Marlins' relievers Kyle Barraclough, Adam Conley and Drew Steckenrider. All three have shined throughout the season and would be an immediate improvement to Boston's bullpen. Barraclough is the gem of the trio, holding a 0.99 ERA with a 39/17 K/BB ratio and eight saves over 37 games. […]

Joe Jimenez Named Tigers Closer

Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Joe Jimenez will assume the closing role, club sources reported on Monday. The Tigers placed closer Shane Greene on the 10-day disabled list with a strained right shoulder, opening the door for Jimenez, who had been the team's setup man all season. Jimenez has been excellent thus far out of the […]

Zack Littell Called Up From Triple-A

Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Zack Littell has been called up on Monday. The 22-year-old got knocked around in his first major league start against the Chicago White Sox on June 5 and was immediately optioned back down to Triple-A. In his latest start for the Rochester Red Wings, Littell went six innings, allowed two runs, […]

William Cuevas Called Up On Monday

The Boston Red Sox have called up relief pitcher William Cuevas on Monday in time for the start of their series against the Washington Nationals. A corresponding move has not been revealed as of yet. Cuevas throws very hard but has not had any real major league success during his time with the Sox and […]

Shane Greene, Leonys Martin Placed On Disabled List

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene (shoulder) and outfielder Leonys Martin (hamstring) were both placed on the 10-day disabled list; Martin on Sunday, Greene on Monday. Greene’s injury comes as a bit of a surprise, but according to Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, Greene “said it’s been bothering him for a while.” The injury might explain his […]

Raisel Iglesias Allows Two-Run Home Run Sunday

Cincinnati Reds closer Raisel Iglesias had a bumpy outing in Sunday's 8-2 win over the Brewers. Iglesias, who had not pitched in three days, came in for some work in the ninth inning of an 8-0 game. He allowed a walk and then a two-run home run to Ryan Braun before settling down and getting […]

Trading Up: Javier Baez

Before the season, Chicago Cubs manager, Joe “Hates Your Fantasy Baseball Team” Maddon challenged Javier Baez to make himself so productive that Maddon would be forced to start Baez every day. Many fantasy owners are well aware of Maddon’s tendency to split playing time between several strong players, thereby decreasing their volume and consequently their […]

Sergio Romo Earns Another Save Sunday Versus Houston

Tampa Bay Rays closer Sergio Romo earns another save against the defending champs Sunday. In the three-game series this weekend, Romo came into the ninth inning of all three with a lead. He gave way to Alvarado Friday but he picked up the other two saves in the sweep. Romo now has eight saves on […]

Kenley Jansen Earns 22nd Save Of Season Sunday

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen picked up his 22nd save of the season Sunday in a 6-4 game against the Rockies. Jansen pitched a clean ninth inning, allowing no runs on no hits and no walks with two strikeouts. The 30-year-old had a bumpy start to the season but has since looked like the […]

Will Smith Records Last Out For Second Save In A Row

Will Smith struck out the final batter in Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The San Francisco Giants pitcher picked up the save which was the second of the year for him, and it was just the third of his major league career. Smith has been fairly successful this year as he has a 1.13 […]

Will Smith (RP, SF) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: Will Smith got his second save tonight, and the second save in a row for the Giants, spanning the last three days. Mark Melancon actually started the ninth inning tonight in a non-save situation (the Giants were leading 9-5 at the time), […]

Wily Peralta (RP, KC) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 14% of leagues ANALYSIS: Everyone knew the Royals were going to trade their closer, Kelvin Herrera. We just didn't know it would happen so early. While looking at the Kansas City bullpen and thinking about who could replace Herrera in the ninth inning, the internet seemingly had a […]

Tyler Clippard (RP, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 28% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Tyler Clippard earned his fifth save of the season Friday night against the Detroit Tigers, and could be in line for more saves chances. Ryan Tepera had been serving as the team's closer but has been placed on […]

Seung Hwan Oh (RP, TOR) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in Deeper Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Seung Hwan Oh got the call in the ninth inning of Saturdays 4-3 win over the Tigers. Oh entered the game tied and allowed no runs on a hit and a walk with a strikeout. The Blue […]

Mike Minor (SP/RP, TEX) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 8% of leagues ANALYSIS: Minor had some preseason buzz going if he could keep his bullpen gains from 2017 going in Texas’ rotation. It hasn’t been that simple, but the 2009 seventh-overall pick has built up momentum with quality starts against Houston, Colorado and Minnesota in […]

Dereck Rodriguez (SF, SP/RP) - Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 14+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 7% of leagues ANALYSIS: Rodriguez’s first appearance in the bigs was an iffy relief spot at Coors Field, but since then he’s posted three quality starts in five outings with a solid 24-to-6 strikeout-to-walk ratio. I’d be remiss not to say how he’s faced San Diego […]

Danny Salazar To Undergo Surgery Monday

Cleveland Indians pitcher Danny Salazar will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Monday. Salazar has been on the disabled list all season and it looks like he will stay there for the remainder of it. Still, Salazar is owned in 21% of leagues, and that number needs to be greatly reduced as he […]