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 […]

Cody Allen Gets Credit for a Win on Monday

Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen picked up a win on Monday, tossing 1 1/3 innings while allowing one run on two hits and two walks. Allen came in to get the last two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning and got the first two outs of the ninth as well. With his pitch […]

Jose Leclerc Has Yet to Give Up a Run

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Jose Leclerc threw a clean sixth inning with two strikeouts against the Cleveland Indians. The 24-year-old has now thrown 7 2/3 innings with no runs surrendered on the young season. Aside from the perfect 0.00 ERA, Leclerc's WHIP sits at a sparkling 0.52. On top of that, the youngster has struck […]

Brad Hand Suffers Meltdown Against Giants

San Diego Padres closer Brad Hand suffered a blown save and loss Monday night against the San Francisco Giants. Called upon for a multi-inning save, Hand retired consecutive batters in the eighth without issue but was a disaster in the ninth. Spotted a two-run lead, Hand walked two batters and surrendered two hits, leading to […]

Hot Prospects to Watch Week 5: McKay, Soto, Wall, McWilliams

In this week's edition of Hot Prospects to Watch, we're going to focus on some interesting prospects from the Single-A and Single-A Advanced levels of the minor leagues. Some of the more interesting prospects at this level are outfielders, but there are some pitchers worth keeping an eye on including potentially the next two-way player […]

Relief Pitchers Deeper Dive - Week 5

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 […]

Shane Greene Falters Again, Closing Job In Jeopardy

Detroit Tigers reliever Shane Greene had yet another rough outing on Monday after entering in a tie ballgame and immediately giving up three earned runs to Tampa Bay. Greene managed to get just one out in the inning in which he allowed a walk and two homers. Prior to Monday's appearance, Greene had blown two […]

Jose Alvarado With A Save Monday Versus Detroit

Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Jose Alvardo earned his first career save versus the Tigers Monday. He came in with the bases loaded and a 3-0 lead. Alvardo would give up a hit to make it 3-2 but would close out the game. He closed because Alex Colome has pitched three of the past four […]

Brandon Kintzler Earns First Save Of 2018

Washington Nationals reliever Brandon Kintzler earned his first save of the season in Monday's 3-2 victory over the Pirates. Regular closer Sean Doolittle had pitched three days in a row and was unavailable. The save actually marked the third day in a row that Kintzler himself had been used. Kintzler now has 15 appearances on […]

Martin Perez Has No Timetable For Return

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Martin Perez has inflammation in his right arm. The left-handed pitcher has been placed on the 10-day disabled list and will receive "treatment and rest." The Rangers have not put a timetable on his return. Perez injured his elbow after falling when startled by a bull on his ranch in Venezuela, […]

Tim Lincecum Heads To Extended Spring Training

Texas Rangers relief pitcher Tim Lincecum (blister) will start pitching in extended spring training games this weekend. This does not count as Lincecum beginning a rehab assignment and the Rangers can take their time with him. Lincecum was placed on the 60-day disabled list earlier in the season and is therefore unable to be activated […]

Phillies Place Victor Arano On DL, Recall Zac Curtis

The Philadelphia Phillies placed pitcher Victor Arano (shoulder) on the disabled list with a right rotator cuff strain on Sunday, replacing him by recalling reliever Zac Curtis on Monday. The 23-year-old Arano had been one of the best arms out of the Phillies bullpen, posting a 0.75 ERA through 10 appearances this year. Last season, […]

Mark Leiter Throws Live BP

Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Mark Leiter (forearm) took another step towards returning on Monday as he tossed live batting practice. The 27-year-old threw 20 pitches, getting in all of his pitches during the brief performance. Leiter had previously been throwing bullpen sessions, with live batters being the next logical step in his rehab process. He’s been […]