The Cardinals Could Start the Season Without a Closer

The St. Louis Cardinals may start the season without officially naming a closer. General manager John Mozeliak said, "When you look at it right now, that eighth, ninth inning, we have three or four arms who can compete for [the closer job] or do that." He later added, "Once the season starts, I think we'll […]

Blaine Hardy And Chad Bell Optioned To Triple A

The Detroit Tigers optioned the contracts of two pitchers Thursday: left handers Blaine Hardy and Chad Bell. Hardy is dealing with tightness in his left shoulder and has pitched just one inning this spring, but spent parts of each of the last four seasons with the big league club. He appeared in as many as […]

Relief Pitcher H2H Points Rankings - March Update

With the regular season, also known as the fantasy season, just a few weeks away, it's time for the RotoBaller staff to update our points rankings one last time. We end our review of the March update with a look at the bullpen for the relief pitcher position. While there is a lot of talent […]

Nick Mariano's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

As we steamroll toward Opening Day, our experienced writers will be offering their most bold predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. These are always a fun exercise that allows us to really trumpet our more outlandish stances heading into 2017. I promise it comes from an educated place, but these are far from "probable" […]

Boone Logan Experiencing Shoulder Problems After Athletics Game

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Boone Logan was injured in the 4-3 win against the Oakland Athletics. Logan was taken out of the game after experiencing some shoulder discomfort as discussed by Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell. There is no known severity at this point, however, Logan is not exactly the most prized possession in fantasy […]

Mark Melancon To Pitch On Consecutive Days

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (forearm) is scheduled to pitch back-to-back days on Thursday and Friday. It will be the first time Melancon will throw consecutive days this spring. Melancon underwent an operation to release pressure on the pronator muscle of his right forearm in September and recently said that he is still not 100 […]

Collin McHugh Being Groomed For Bullpen

Houston Astros pitcher Collin McHugh appears destined for the bullpen. The former 19-game winner is the odd man out in a numbers game with so many quality starting pitchers now on the roster. But manager A.J. Hinch expressed optimism about the move and shot down the notion that McHugh will simply be a setup man. […]

Joaquin Benoit Won't Make Opening Roster

Washington Nationals reliever Joaquin Benoit (forearm) won't make the team's active roster to open the season due to a forearm strain. The team signed him in the offseason to give their bullpen depth, but tightness in his back led to the discovery of the strain recently. The Nationals still have a solid bullpen full of […]

Orioles Designate Jose Mesa Jr. For Assignment After Signing Alex Cobb

There's almost always a roster casualty after a big signing. Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Jose Mesa Jr. was it after Baltimore signed starter Alex Cobb on Wednesday. Mesa had a 3-1 record but an ugly 5.87 ERA this spring. It's a rough time, since teams are largely locking down their rosters, but Mesa might latch on […]

Pedro Strop Scheduled To Pitch Thursday

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) is set to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday. Strop had missed most of the spring while dealing with a calf injury, but threw in a minor league game Monday. Strop is headed in the right direction and it appears he should be ready for Opening Day. […]

ADP Sleepers and Busts - Closers

Where an owner drafts closers comes down to personal strategy and philosophy. Some owners are willing spend up for high-end closers like Kenley Jansen and Craig Kimbrel, while others are content to let closers fly off the board deep into the draft and scrounge for saves late. For those of us unwilling to invest in […]

Pierre Camus' 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

As we steamroll toward Opening Day, our experienced writers will be offering their most bold predictions for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. Although I will never be able to replicate last year's successes in calling Giancarlo Stanton's mammoth season, I will do my best. Feel free to ignore the majority of those other predictions from 2017. […]

Mark Leiter Will Start Season On DL

The diagnosis is in for Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Mark Leiter (forearm), and he’ll be starting the 2018 season on the disabled list. The 27-year-old is suffering from a mild flexor strain in his right forearm, resulting in his absence until late April or early May. While he avoided a potentially more serious injury, this hampers Philadelphia’s […]

Mark Leiter To Undergo Medical Exam

After a strong start to his 2018 spring training, Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Mark Leiter is headed back to Philadelphia to undergo tests on his right forearm. The 27-year-old has been experiencing tightness and soreness in the forearm, according to manager Gabe Kapler. Through his first three outings this spring, Leiter was quite impressive, tossing […]

Trevor Cahill Deal with Athletics Finalized

According to Jon Heyman of MLB.com, free-agent starting pitcher Trevor Cahill's deal with the Oakland Athletics worth $1.5 million was finalized on Monday. Cahill will likely work in long relief, in addition to serving as a starter when someone is needed to fill up innings. Cahill had a 4.93 ERA with 87 strikeouts over 84 […]

Craig Kimbrel Has Confidence Of Manager

Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel has returned to camp and still has the confidence of manager Alex Cora, reported Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. To illustrate his confidence in Kimbrel's readiness, Cora stated, "As long as we have a three-run lead or two-run lead or one-run lead, he’ll be ready for that one." […]

Brad Boxberger Looking Good In Spring

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Brad Boxberger has looked good this spring training, giving up one run on four hits and one walk across four innings. He has struck out three batters thus far. Boxberger seems to be fully recovered from arm soreness that kept him out earlier this month, and he will no doubt be ready for […]

Matt Andriese In The Mix For Role In Bullpen Day Starts

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Andriese is in the running to fill one of the multi-inning roles that will play a key part of the strategies the Rays hope to employ during the games where they will go with a bullpen approach rather than a traditional starting pitcher. Speculation suggests they will have at least […]

Bryan Shaw Touched Up By Giants

Colorado Rockies setup man Bryan Shaw had a rough outing against the Giants, surrendering home runs to Madison Bumgarner and Nick Hundley. Shaw is notorious for his rough spring trainings with the Indians, so there isn't a ton of concern about the poor performance at this point. For those in holds leagues, Shaw should still […]

Justin Grimm Signed By Kansas City

The Kansas City Royals have signed free-agent relief pitcher Justin Grimm to a one-year contract. Grimm was recently released by the Chicago Cubs, mostly due to the fact that he was out of minor league options. Grimm worked in 50 games last year for the Cubs, and he'll slot into a short-relief role for the Royals […]

Luke Gregerson Works a Perfect Inning in his Return to the Mound

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (oblique) pitched a perfect inning in his return to Grapefruit League play. It was Gregerson's first time back on the mound in 15 days, as he'd been rehabbing an oblique injury since early in camp. Gregerson was the favorite for saves when spring training began, but his injury has […]

Craig Kimbrel Returns To Camp

Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is returning to camp, according to Sean McAdam of the Boston Sports Journal. Kimbrel has been in Boston since Feb. 27 to be with his infant daughter Lydia, who had a second heart procedure. Kimbrel had been working out while in Boston. The plan now is for him to […]

Kyle Bishop's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

Every day from now until Opening Day, our writers will be offering their most audacious projections for the 2018 fantasy baseball season. This is my fourth go-round with this series. I've had some great successes and some equally terrible calls in both previous attempts, and this year should be no different. Hopefully the former outweigh […]

Kenley Jansen Solid Again, Will Throw Four More Times

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen easily put down the three batters he faced in Saturday's Cactus League game, striking out one. The plan is for Jansen to make four more appearances before Opening Day. He'll pitch Monday against the A's, followed by a four-out appearance on Thursday -- in 2017, the Dodgers asked Jansen to […]

Gabriel Ynoa, Zach Britton Out Of Walking Boots

Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton (Achilles) and starting pitcher Gabriel Ynoa (shin) are out of their walking boots. Ynoa is likely closer to a return than Britton, but the Orioles closer has shown a lot of progress from his rehab and is getting stronger each day. Ynoa has a lot of work to do to even […]

No Restrictions For Anthony Swarzak

New York Mets manager Mickey Callaway said there are no restrictions for relief pitcher Anthony Swarzak (calf) moving forward. He is in line to be ready for Opening Day. The left-handed reliever was a combined 6-4 with a 2.33 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 10.6 K/9 in 70 games for the White Sox and Brewers in […]

Top Fantasy Baseball Prospects - AL Central

If you are in a dynasty league, then the number one thing you likely focus on year-round are prospects. It's a never-ending hunt to find the best prospect and acquire them for the lowest cost possible. Not only are owners looking for the best prospect, they also have to discern whether or not they will […]

Alex Reyes Won't Pitch This Month and Won't Have a Defined Role in 2018

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Alex Reyes won't pitch in any Grapefruit League games this spring. Pitching coach Mike Maddux said it is not due to any setbacks, just a precautionary measure to make sure Reyes stays healthy. Reyes will not have a defined role in the 2018 season, instead pitching in a "hybrid" role […]

Luke Gregerson Faces Live Hitters on Friday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (oblique) faced live hitters on Friday in his continued return from injury. Gregerson's next step will likely be to appear in a Grapefruit League game. If he pitches well and avoids any setbacks, he may still start the season as the team's closer. For now, that job seems […]

Craig Kimbrel Still In Boston With Daughter

Boston Red Sox closer Craig Kimbrel is still in Boston with his daughter Lydia, according to Alex Speier of The Boston Globe. Manager Alex Cora is very supportive of the family and stated, "That’s about Lydia. ... They’ll make a decision as a family." Kimbrel has been away from camp since Feb. 27. He did […]