Justin Nicolino Claimed By Reds
The Cincinnati Reds claimed left-hander Justin Nicolino from the Miami Marlins on Sunday. He will represent the 39th man on Cincinnati's 40-man roster as they gear up for the start of the regular season. Nicolino, a former second-round draft pick, has not lived up to his draft status in his three-year MLB career. Over 50 […]
Pirates May Be Leaning Toward Eight-Man Bullpen
After a flurry of moves on Saturday, the 25th spot on the Pittsburgh Pirates' roster will come down to first baseman Jose Osuna or an eighth reliever. MLB.com's Adam Berry believes the team is leaning toward another bullpen arm, but nothing is set in stone yet. Osuna has been one of Pittsburgh's best hitters this […]
Phillies Select Contract Of Drew Hutchison
After signing a minor league contract and reporting to Phillies camp this Spring Training, Drew Hutchison has earned a spot on the roster. The club made room for him today, designating veteran catcher Cameron Rupp for assignment. Hutchison, 27, has made six appearances for the Phillies this spring, starting three games and going 2-0 with […]
JB's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018
Opening Day is rapidly approaching and our experienced writers will be offering their most daring predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Nick Mariano, Rick Lucks, Pierre Camus, and Kyle Bishop all have given it their best shot at being bold so far. But it's all been child's play up to this point. Many people don't […]
Mike Mayers and John Brebbia Make the Opening Day Roster
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitchers Mike Mayers and John Brebbia were informed that they have made the Opening Day roster. Barring injury, the Cardinals 25-man roster is set for next week. Mayers and Brebbia will work in middle relief and won't have much fantasy value unless they move up the depth chart.
Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons to Share Closer Duties to Start the Season
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitchers Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons will split closer duties to kick off the season while Luke Gregerson (hamstring) starts the year on the disabled list. With Gregerson already having a less-than-solid grasp on the ninth inning, it wouldn't be a surprise to see either Lyons or Leone take over the […]
Luke Gregerson Will Begin the Season on the Disabled List
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (hamstring) will begin the season on the 10-day disabled list. Gregerson started out Spring Training with an oblique injury then suffered a hamstring injury once he returned. Manager Mike Matheny announced that Dominic Leone and Tyler Lyons would split closer duties while Gregerson was out. There's a decent […]
Carlos Torres Released
The Cleveland Indians released right handed pitcher Carlos Torres on Saturday. Torres was informed he would not make the Opening Day roster after posting a disappointing 6.10 ERA and 1.94 WHIP in Cactus League play. He struck out nine but walked six. Torres will try to catch on with another team, but may have to […]
Matt Belisle Makes the Team
Cleveland Indians pitcher Matt Belisle has been informed that he has made the Opening Day roster as a member of the bullpen. Belisle struggled in Cactus League play, putting up a 6.10 ERA and a 2.03 WHIP, but Cleveland must have seen some promise in his pitching to give him a spot in the bullpen. […]
Phil Hughes Could Start 2018 On Disabled List
Minnesota Twins pitcher Phil Hughes (oblique) could begin the season in the disabled list. Hughes has been dealing with mild left oblique strain. If Hughes were to begin the year on the disabled list, it would give him more time to rebuild his arm strength. Hughes is likely to operate out of the bullpen this […]
Francisco Rodriguez Granted Release
Veteran reliever Francisco Rodriguez, who was fighting for a bullpen spot with the Philadelphia Phillies this spring, has been granted his release by the organization. The 36-year-old who last pitched in the majors with the Detroit Tigers last season, made eight appearances with the Phillies this spring, posting a 5.40 ERA. He clearly wasn’t going […]
Nate Jones Likely To Close For White Sox
Daryl Van Schouwen of The Chicago Sun-Times reports that relief pitcher Nate Jones is likely to open the season as the White Sox closer. Jones underwent season-sending elbow surgery last July and appeared in just 11 games. Van Schouwen notes that the White Sox are unlikely to overuse Jones and reliever Joakim Soria could also […]
Jonathan Holder Wins Final Spot In Yankees Bullpen
The final spot in the New York Yankees bullpen was decided today, as the the club optioned Domingo German to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, leaving Jonathan Holder the winner. The 24-year-old has made sporadic appearances with the club the past two seasons, making a bigger impact in 2017. This year in Spring Training, he was solid, posting […]
Harris Yudin's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018
With Opening Day rapidly approaching, our experienced writers will be offering their most daring predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Many of my predictions over the years have been laughable at season’s end, but there have been several success stories, as well. Regardless, all predictions are based in trends and patterns, with just a […]
Ryan Merritt Will Start the Season on the Disabled List
Cleveland Indians left handed pitcher Ryan Merritt will start the 2018 season on the disabled list with a tired shoulder. Manager Terry Francona said the issue came from an earlier knee injury that Merritt suffered in the offseason. Merritt is out of options, so he would have had to pass through waivers if he wasn't […]
Tyler Glasnow, Steven Brault To Open Season In Bullpen
The Pittsburgh Pirates' starting rotation is seemingly settled now, as The Athletic's Rob Biertempfel reports that Tyler Glasnow and Steven Brault will start the year in the bullpen. That appears to pave the way for Joe Musgrove to be the team's fifth starter behind Ivan Nova, Trevor Williams, Chad Kuhl, and Jamison Taillon. Musgrove has […]
White Sox Reassign Robbie Ross Jr.
The Chicago White Sox announced on Friday that they have reassigned relief pitchers Robbie Ross Jr. and Xavier Cedeno as well as infielder Matt Skole to minor-league camp. Ross had a nice spring with a 2.70 ERA, but will function as organizational depth. None of the aforementioned players hold any value in fantasy leagues.
Luke Gregerson Dealing With a New Injury
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson has been dealing with a hamstring injury that has kept him from pitching in Grapefruit League games. Gregerson started out Spring Training with an oblique issue that kept him off the mound, and now he has not appeared in a game since March 20 due to the hamstring […]
Luis Cessa Optioned To Triple-A
The battle for bullpen spots on the New York Yankees lost a competitor today after the club optioned Luis Cessa to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. The 25-year-old has made multiple appearances for the club the past two seasons, both as starter and reliever. This spring he made four appearances, posting a 2-0 record with a […]
Tim Lincecum Scratched With Finger Blister
The Texas Rangers have scratched reliever Tim Lincecum from his outing tomorrow due to a blister forming on the pitcher's middle finger. There was little hope that the former Freak would be ready for Opening Day, and the emergence of this pesky blister only casts more doubt. With all of the interest in Lincecum's comeback […]
Kevin Jepsen Likely to Make Opening Day Roster
The Texas Rangers' manager Jeff Banister told reporters that pitcher Tony Barnette is not likely to be ready to start the season, opening a roster spot for reliever Kevin Jepsen. The 33-year-old Jepsen has been a pleasant surprise, giving up just one run and four hits over 9 1/3 innings this spring training. After what […]
Rick Lucks's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018
Several of my colleagues have already announced their Bold Predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season, and now it's my turn. This is my third year participating in this exercise. The first one was great, as I correctly predicted Steven Wright would matter in 2016 fantasy leagues. The second one wasn't, as I had a […]
Jesse Chavez To Work From the Bullpen
The Texas Rangers have informed pitcher Jesse Chavez that he will not start the season as a full-time starter. This is not terribly surprising, as the 34-year old has worked as both a starter and reliever during spring training, and the results were not terribly inspiring. Expect Chavez to be deployed as a long reliever […]
Tim Lincecum Unlikely to Be Ready for Opening Day
As the Texas Rangers prep Tim Lincecum for a return to the majors, they are not expecting him to be available for Opening Day. The former Cy Young winner is attempting a comeback by joining the Rangers' bullpen, but what role he will eventually occupy is unclear until the team can get comfortable with his […]
Greg Holland In Contact With Diamondbacks
Free agent closer Greg Holland is slowly making his way towards a deal for the 2018 season. Among the several teams he is in contact with, the Diamondbacks are seemingly one of the more likely destinations, as they are in the playoff hunt without an established closer. Holland's 41 saves with the Rockies was tied […]
Archie Bradley (RP, ARI) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values
BALLER MOVE: Target ~165 CURRENT ADP: 190 ANALYSIS: Does anyone really expect Brad Boxberger to take the closer role away from Bradley? In Bradley, we’re talking about a guy who, after a move to pitching full-time in 2017, posted a 1.73 ERA, 1.041 WHIP, and a 9.7 K/9. His ERA was better than all but seven relief pitchers […]
Atlanta Braves Supposedly Still In Conversation To Land Greg Holland
This off-season and Spring Training has been filled with a lot of "Where will this player sign?" The Greg Holland rumors are starting to heat up, with the Atlanta Braves being one of three teams to apparently be inquiring about the free-agent relief pitcher's services. If Holland does come to Atlanta, it would likely push […]
Boone Logan To Open Season On Disabled List
Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Boone Logan (tricep strain) is confirmed to start the year on the DL, according to Brewers manager Craig Counsell. The injury does not appear to be serious, as it was described as a "slight triceps strain", however, it is enough for him to start the year on the DL. Logan was last […]
Cardinals Remain in Contact With Greg Holland
The St. Louis Cardinals have remained in contact with free agent relief pitcher Greg Holland. Holland is certainly the biggest name still remaining on the free agent market, and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Atlanta Braves have also shown interest. Holland led the National League with 41 saves last season, posting a 3.61 ERA and 70 […]
Ben Taylor Optioned to Triple-A
Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Ben Taylor was optioned to Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Taylor is a live arm that came over from the Boston Red Sox as a waiver claim in February. He'll likely make some appearances in the Cleveland bullpen this season once injuries and ineffectiveness strike.