Bud Norris Will Be the Cardinals Closer

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris will be the closer for the team "for the foreseeable future," according to general manager John Mozeliak. Greg Holland was signed on Opening Day and was supposed to be the team's closer, but he's struggled almost every time he's been on the mound. In the meantime, Norris has […]

Ben Taylor Called Up to Join the Cleveland Bullpen

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ben Taylor was called up from Triple-A to join the big league bullpen. Matt Belisle was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Taylor was also designated for assignment before Opening Day, but he cleared waivers and had been working out of the bullpen at Triple-A Columbus. He had a 3.48 […]

Matt Belisle Designated for Assignment on Wednesday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Matt Belisle was designated for assignment on Wednesday. He had worked 10 2/3 innings this season to the tune of a 5.06 ERA. Despite the rough start to the season that followed a rough Spring Training, Belisle was solid last season for the Minnesota Twins and likely won't make it all […]

Eduardo Rodriguez Put On Family Medical Leave

Boston Red sox starting pitcher Eduardo Rodriguez was placed on family medical leave Tuesday. Since returning from the disabled list, Rodriguez has a 3-0 record in five starts. He does provide high strikeouts -- 29 in 26 innings -- but it comes at the expense of his ERA (4.78). The Red Sox are hopeful that […]

DraftKings Daily Fantasy Baseball Picks (5/2/18): MLB DFS Lineups

There are a plethora of games that are going to be played today, but they are broken down into two slates. The early slate is more than playable, but I'll be focusing on the later slate here. In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 5/2/18. […]

Minor League Roundup - Who's Hot and Who's Not? (Week 5)

In last week’s edition of “Who’s Hot, Who’s Not”, I mentioned Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka. After dominating Triple-A to start the season, Soroka was promoted to the Major Leagues on Tuesday, and made his big league debut. Soroka promptly dazzled with six innings of one-run ball. Dane Dunning was also mentioned in last week’s piece, […]

Roberto Osuna Picks Up Eighth Save

After allowing runs in consecutive outings last week (his first runs allowed of the season), fantasy owners were a tad worried about Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna. Fear not, as Osuna pitched a clean inning against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, picking up his eighth save of the season as a result. It was […]

Week 5 Points Leagues - Strategy, Pickups and Cuts

We're back at it again this week with some points league advice. We will delve into some players who have been consistent over the first month of the season, as well as what guys to cut loose whether it be due to a downturn in production or an injury. In last week's suggestions of pitchers to […]

Domingo German (RP/SP, NYY) - Week 5 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in 12+ Team Leagues OWNED IN: 0% of leagues ANALYSIS: With Jordan Montgomery likely to miss at least one turn in the rotation, if not quite a bit more, New York Yankees pitcher German looks to be the one to step into his rotation slot. He is technically a reliever on Yahoo right now, […]

Streaming Wars - Waiver Wire Targets for May 3

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire all season long. This article, now in its second year, runs seven days a week. Even at this early juncture, there's value in streaming. For those who are newcomers to this feature - use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your neediest […]

Shane Greene Fires Perfect Ninth For Fifth Save

Detroit Tigers closer Shane Greene bounced back from a poor outing on Tuesday, tossing a perfect frame and striking out two batters to pick up save No. 5 on the year. It was a positive sign for Greene, who was roughed up on Monday in a non-save situation and had blown two of his last […]

Kelvin Herrera Blows Save Tuesday

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Kelvin Herrera blew his first save of the season Tuesday. Herrera ended up taking the win but that will only offer a little satisfaction to him. Herrera surrendered his first home run of the season to Eduardo Nunez in the bottom of the 12th inning. That was also the first […]

Keone Kela Implodes Tuesday

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Keone Kela had a disastrous outing Tuesday. Coming in with the Rangers ahead by four, Kela gave up four runs to surrender the lead. This will not count as a blown save on the stat sheet, but for the Rangers it will feel like one. This is Kela's second rough outing […]

Brad Hand Collects Save Tuesday Night

San Diego Padres closer Brad Hand slammed the door Tuesday against the San Francisco Giants for his seventh save. After a nightmare outing Monday where he gave up three earned runs and suffered a blown save and loss, Hand enjoyed a flawless ninth inning Tuesday. It was a surprise to see him take the mound […]

Cam Bedrosian Gets Save Opportunity, Blows it

The Los Angeles Angels gave Cam Bedrosian the first shot at the closer's role on Tuesday after Keynan Middleton went on the disabled list with elbow inflammation. Bedrosian did not handle it well, giving up two runs and blowing the save in his one inning of work. He came away with the win after the […]

Keynan Middleton Expects DL Stint to be Short

Los Angeles Angels closer Keynan Middleton believes his time on the disabled list will be short and is "not concerned at all" after being placed on the DL on Tuesday with elbow inflammation. Middleton hopes to return as soon as he is eligible, which is next Thursday in Colorado. In the meantime, Cam Bedrosian or […]

After Relief Outing, Domingo German Likely Starting Sunday

Getting called into action significantly ahead of time on Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park, New York Yankees pitcher Domingo German answered the call in a more than serviceable manner. The 25-year-old Dominican entered in the second inning of the game after Jordan Montgomery’s elbow injury. German went a season-long four innings, allowing four hits […]

Joakim Soria Blows Save Tuesday

Chicago White Sox closer Joakim Soria blew his second save of the year on Tuesday. Soria served up a home run to Matt Carpenter, which was followed by a strikeout, double and game-winning single by Yadier Molina. Soria now has a 4.35 ERA and is at the end of the line for owners looking at […]

Oliver Drake Has Been Designated For Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Oliver Drake has been designated for assignment to make room for starter Wade Miley on the major league roster. Brent Suter is already moving to the bullpen to make room for Miley in the rotation. For Drake, if nobody makes a waiver claim on him, he will report to the Brewers […]

Streaming Wars: Waiver Wire Targets For May 2

Welcome back to Streaming Wars, your one-stop shop for streaming the waiver wire. This article, which began last season, runs seven days a week. We are always ready to stream. For those who are newcomers to this feature, use this column on a daily basis to improve upon your weakest categories and target players who may be available […]

Jeremy Jeffress Retires Five Batters For First Save Of Season

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Jeremy Jeffress went 1 2/3 innings pitched with one strikeout and a save in the 7-6 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Jeffress continues to pitch with excellence this year, and it looks like the Brewers are starting to trust him in bigger situations. In the eighth with Billy Hamilton at third […]

Keynan Middleton to DL with Elbow Inflammation

The Los Angeles Angels have placed closer Keynan Middleton on the 10-day disabled list with elbow inflammation. They have recalled reliever Eduardo Paredes in his place. With Middleton out, Cam Bedrosian is likely the beneficiary of extra save opportunities. The Angels could also turn to Blake Parker, Jim Johnson or even Justin Anderson, who has […]

Josh Hader Won't Pitch on Tuesday

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader (rest) will not pitch against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, according to manager Craig Counsell. Hader struck out eight of the nine batters he faced during Monday's contest. He picked up his fourth save of the season, but won't see as many save chances once Corey Knebel (hamstring) returns […]

Corey Knebel Cleared for Rehab Assignment

Milwaukee Brewers closer Corey Knebel (hamstring) has been cleared to begin a rehab assignment at Double-A Biloxi on Wednesday. He's expected to make three or four appearances before rejoining the Brewers on their next road trip. He has not pitched since April 5 but was the main closing option in Milwaukee before suffering his hamstring […]

Chris Rusin Could Return on Friday

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Chris Rusin (ribs) had no issues facing live hitters Tuesday at Wrigley Field. He is eligible to return from the disabled list on Friday. It's unclear whether or not the Rockies plan to activate him then or if they'll have Rusin make a rehab stint. Regardless, he's only worth a look […]

Anthony Swarzak Not Nearing Return

New York Mets reliever Anthony Swarzak went down with a strained oblique during the second game of the season, and despite the long layoff, is not close to a return just yet, according to general manager Sandy Alderson. The exact quote here is that Swarzak is “still a awhile away." It's certainly not good news […]

Ryan Madson Is Being Overused, Blames Himself

Washington Nationals reliever Ryan Madson is blaming himself for his recent poor showings. As one of the Nationals' core three (Sean Doolittle and Brandon Kintzler being the other two), he's been overused as the team consistently finds ifself in a lot of one-run games. He was blown up for six earned runs two weeks ago […]

Jeurys Familia Back With Mets

New York Mets closer Jeurys Familia is back with the team after he missed Sunday’s game in San Diego to attend memorial services for his father-in-law. It sounds as if Familia will be available for any potential save chances on Tuesday in the Mets series opener against the Atlanta Braves. Familia has struggled a bit […]

Josh Hader Makes The History Books In Save

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader went 2 2/3 innings pitched on Monday, giving up a walk while striking out eight in the 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Brewers manager Craig Counsell sent Hader out for two outs in the seventh and left him out there, which ended up being a good decision, as […]

Jeff Beliveau Picks Up a Save on Monday

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Jeff Beliveau picked up his first save since 2014 on Monday. It was only the second save of his career. He was called on to get the last out of the game after Cleveland closer Cody Allen ran his pitch count up to 41. Beliveau is a 31-year-old journeyman relief pitcher […]