Brandon Morrow Has Mixed Results In Spring Training

Chicago Cubs closer Brandon Morrow offered mixed results this spring. The free-agent signee gave up three earned runs over four innings. Morrow is coming off of his most dominant season as a big leaguer, as he set up for Kenley Jansen in 2017. Morrow has very little closing experience, but fantasy owners shouldn’t overreact over […]

Noe Ramirez, Luke Bard Make Angels 25-Man Roster

The Los Angeles Angels have re-assigned reliever Felix Pena, allowing both Noe Ramirez and Rule 5 Draft selection Luke Bard to crack the roster. Optioning Pena was the only option that allowed the Angels to keep all three, as Bard would have to be returned to the Twins and Ramirez was out of options. Neither […]

Alex Colome Will Be Primarily A Three-Out Closer For Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays closer Alex Colome will be used for three-out or fewer saves more often in 2018. He was asked to record multiple-inning saves in 2017, where he led the American League with six of those saves. Colome recorded an MLB-leading 47 saves in 2017, but his overall numbers elsewhere weren't as impressive as […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects - NL Central

The next stop in our journey through the top prospects in the league is the National League Central. The NL Central is home to some of the top pitching and outfield prospects in the National League, if not all of baseball. The Reds have one of the top 10 farm systems in baseball — as […]

Phil Hughes To DL With Oblique Injury

The Minnesota Twins will place right-hander Phil Hughes (oblique) on the 15-day disabled list to open the season. Hughes came down with an oblique injury this past Thursday and won't be ready to start the season. Prior to the injury, Hughes was slated to open the season in the bullpen for Minnesota. After the injury, Gabriel […]

Josh Hader Will Get As Many Innings As Possible

Milwaukee Brewers left-hander Josh Hader will get as many innings as possible and was referred to as a weapon by Brewers manager Craig Counsell. Hader was brought up through the Brewers organization as a starting pitcher, so he's got the stamina to pitch a ton of innings out of the bullpen. In 47 2/3 innings last […]

Zach Britton Still Progressing Ahead of Schedule

According to Roch Kubatko of MASN.com, manager Buck Showalter was very hesitant to talk about Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton and the status of his rehab from an Achilles injury. It seems like Britton is on track to return earlier than anticipated. If you stashed him away, be ready to activate him sooner than later, […]

Edwin Diaz Brings Quality As Mariners Closer

Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz is ready for the regular season after striking out 11 hitters through nine spring training innings. Diaz converted 34 of 38 saves last season, striking out 89 batters through 66 innings. He posted a solid 1.15 WHIP and will be the unquestioned closer to begin the season for Seattle. The […]

Mark Melancon May Not Be Ready For Opening Day

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon is not a guarantee to be ready for Opening Day on Thursday. Manager Bruce Bochy wouldn’t expand on what is wrong with Melancon, but the closer will play catch on Tuesday and Wednesday. A decision will then be made about his status for Thursday. Melancon is already beginning to […]

Jordan Hicks Makes the Opening Day Roster

St. Louis Cardinals pitching prospect Jordan Hicks has made the Opening Day roster. After his impressive Grapefruit League play, the team decided to bring the 21-year-old along to St. Louis, where he'll reportedly be part of the late-inning mix. On a team without a designated closer, Hicks has the upside to work his way into […]

Brian Ellington Optioned To Triple-A

The Miami Marlins have optioned pitcher Brian Ellington to Triple-A, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro. In 2017, Ellington went 1-1 with a 7.25 ERA in 44 innings as part of a very shaky Marlins' bullpen. Ellington enjoyed much better success in 2016 after finishing 4-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 33 innings. Miami is extremely […]

Jordan Milbrath Returned to Cleveland

The Pittsburgh Pirates returned Rule 5 pick Jordan Milbrath to the Cleveland Indians, who then assigned him to the Triple-A Columbus roster. Milbrath was the eighth overall pick in the Rule 5 draft, but the Pirates just couldn't find a spot for him on the 25-man roster. He's a 26-year-old right-handed pitcher who will serve […]

Cleveland Claims Jack Leathersich

The Cleveland Indians claimed left-handed relief pitcher Jack Leathersich off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A Columbus. He struggled in spring training this season, allowing six runs on five hits and six walks in just 4 2/3 innings, but he's a decent bullpen depth piece for Cleveland.

Tommy Hunter Opens Season On DL

Philadelphia Phillies reliever Tommy Hunter will open the season on the disabled list due to a mild hamstring strain. The 31-year-old, who posted a 2.61 ERA in 61 games with the Tampa Bay Rays last season, arrived with the Phillies this season after signing with the club on a two-year deal in December. According to […]

Craig Kimbrel Strikes Out Two Against The Cubs

Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel pitched a clean inning against the Cubs on Tuesday, striking out two batters and walking none. Kimbrel spent most of the offseason back home in Boston supporting his daughter and her medical concerns. Manager Alex Cora had no doubt that when the season started Kimbrel would be closing down […]

Koda Glover Starts 2018 On DL, Miguel Montero Takes Roster Spot

Washington Nationals reliever Koda Glover (shoulder) will begin the season on the 60-day disabled list due to shoulder tendinitis. Backup catcher Miguel Montero will take his spot on the 40-man roster. Glover, who was once being groomed as the team's closer, has battled injuries to his hip, back and shoulder for the past two seasons. […]

Brad Boxberger Named Diamondbacks Closer

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Brad Boxberger has officially been named the closer by manager Torey Lovullo. The announcement ends a three-man competition between Boxberger, Archie Bradley and Yoshihisa Hirano. Boxberger last closed for the Rays in 2015, notching 41 saves in 69 games. With the D'Backs looking like a playoff team again, Boxberger will have plenty […]

On the Rebound - Starters Coming Back from Injury in 2018

As owners prepare for draft day, one strategy many owners will use is drafting pitchers who are returning from significant injuries. These pitchers will likely be undervalued because of their injuries, and if they can return to their pre-injury norm they can end up being a steal in a draft. For the following starters working […]

Rays Release Dan Jennings

The Tampa Bay Rays released reliever Dan Jennings. They will only be responsible for a quarter of his $2.375 million salary. The southpaw posted a 3.45 ERA across 77 relief appearances for the White Sox and Rays last season. He is not much of a fantasy option at the moment, especially not until he finds […]

Brad Boxberger, Archie Bradley Still Battling for Closer Role

Arizona Diamondbacks relievers Brad Boxberger and Archie Bradley are still in the middle of their battle for the closer role. Boxberger has been much better this spring, posting a 1.80 ERA compared to a 4.32 ERA for Bradley. Manager Torey Lovullo says he is not ready to name the closer, as he still needs to […]

Carter Capps to Start the Year at Triple-A El Paso

The San Diego Padres announced Monday that reliever Carter Capps has been outrighted to Triple-A El Paso after recording a 7.71 ERA and 1.50 WHIP over 4 2/3 innings this spring. It's been a rough couple of years for Capps, who had just returned from Tommy John surgery last year and then underwent thoracic outlet […]

Pedro Strop Feels Fine

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) will pitch on Tuesday and says he feels fine. Strop had dealt with a calf injury early this spring, but has been able to pitch over the past week. If everything goes well on Tuesday, Strop should be expected to be on the Opening Day roster. Aside from […]

Pirates Eight-Man Bullpen Appears Set

After a few days of speculation, the Pittsburgh Pirates all but made their eight-man bullpen official on Monday. In addition to sending first baseman Jose Osuna to Triple-A, the team also optioned reliever Kyle Crick and reassigned reliever Kevin Siegrist to minor league camp. Pittsburgh also placed Rule 5 pick Jordan Milbrath and Jack Leathersich […]

Predicting the Top 10 Finishers for Saves in 2018

Predicting the top 10 of anything is usually an exercise in futility. Trying to predict the top 10 finishers in saves is just silly because there is so much turnover at the back of every MLB bullpen every season. Last season, at least half of the teams in baseball had their Opening Day closer displaced […]

Three Tampa Bay Rays Named To The Roster For Multiple Inning Work

Tampa Bay Rays pitchers Yonny Chirinos, Andrew Kittredge and LHP Ryan Yarbrough were told they made the team as multi-inning relievers. They will likely play a pivotal role during the games designated as bullpen games by the Rays instead of having a fifth regular starting pitcher. None of them have much value outside of very […]

Austin Pruitt Optioned To The Minors

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Austin Pruitt has been optioned to Triple-A. He was in the running for a role in the bullpen but apparently lost out. He went 7-5 in his only major league season so far but with a terrible 5.31 ERA. He is currently just not much of a fantasy option.

Yasiel Puig May Bat Third

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig may regularly bat third in the lineup according to Dave Roberts. The vacancy created by Justin Turner's hand injury looked to be filled by a resurgent Matt Kemp, but giving it to Puig makes sense given the advances he made last season in his game. He had career highs […]

Adrian Sanchez, Matt Reynolds Finally Cut; Nationals To Carry Eight In Bullpen

Washington Nationals infielders Adrian Sanchez and Matt Reynolds were assigned to the team's Triple-A affiliate in Syracuse on Sunday. They were the final hitters left in camp and that means that the ball club will carry eight pitchers in the bullpen to start the season. There will be an even split of lefties and righties. […]

Jacob Barnes Will Pitch Out Of Bullpen

Milwaukee Brewers RHP Jacob Barnes will pitch out of the bullpen for the Milwaukee Brewers as confirmed by Brewers manager Craig Counsell. While Barnes will have very limited opportunities to get saves behind Corey Knebel and Josh Hader, he will look to improve from a 4.00 ERA in 72.0 IP last season. Expect to see […]

Kevin Quackenbush Makes Reds

The Cincinnati Reds informed right-hander Kevin Quackenbush on Sunday that he has made the team. The 29-year-old reliever will help round out the Reds' bullpen in 2018. Quackenbush struggled with the San Diego Padres in 2017, posting a 7.86 ERA in 26 1/3 innings of work. That being said, Quackenbush turned in a solid spring […]