Pat Neshek Placed On DL

The Philadelphia Phillies have suffered their first injury of the regular season, as reliever Pat Neshek has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a right shoulder strain. The All-Star re-signed with the Philadelphia Phillies this offseason following the club trading him to Colorado before the 2017 trade deadline. Last season, he posted a […]

Felipe Rivero Has Nightmare Outing on Friday

Control was an issue for Pittsburgh Pirates closer Felipe Rivero throughout spring training, and the problem reared its ugly head again on Opening Day. Even with a comfortable 10-6 lead in a non-save situation, the left-hander couldn't get out of the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers on Friday, allowing four runs on one hit […]

Nate Jones (RP, CHW) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 37% of leagues ANALYSIS: Back then, pros didn’t want him. Now he’s hot, pros all on him. That was a stretch and I don’t care, Nate Jones is for real (when he’s healthy) and should prove much more reliable and effective than Joakim Soria in the ninth inning. […]

Keone Kela (RP, TEX) - Week 1 Waiver Wire Pickups

BALLER MOVE: Add in All Saves Leagues OWNED IN: 21% of leagues ANALYSIS: Kela was recently named the closer for the Texas Rangers. He may have previously dug himself into Texas’ doghouse, but he doesn’t deserve to be in fantasy ones too. Ignoring his brief disciplinary stint at Triple-A, the fireballer posted a 2.79 ERA (3.26 FIP) […]

J.T. Chargois Electrifies In Dodgers Debut

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever J.T. Chargois provided one of the few bright spots for the team during their 1-0 Opening Day loss to the Giants. The former Twin, who was claimed off of waivers after missing the entire 2017 season, retired the top of the Giants order on just 12 pitches, striking out two. Ten […]

Cory Gearrin And Tony Watson Will Handle Eighth Inning For Giants

With San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) on the 10-day disabled list and Hunter Strickland promoted to closer, relievers Cory Gearrin and Tony Watson will operate as the club’s setup guys. Watson has closer experience and could see some save opportunities if Strickland struggles. Both Watson and Gearrin will offer holds, but aside from […]

Bruce Bochy Optimistic That Mark Melancon Can Return Soon

San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy said on Thursday that he is hoping that closer Mark Melancon (elbow) will be able to return in a couple of weeks. Bochy also noted that until Melancon starts throwing, it will be hard to have a firm timeline. Hunter Strickland was announced as the Giants closer and picked […]

Cam Bedrosian Pitches in Seventh Inning

Los Angeles Angels reliever Cam Bedrosian entered in the seventh inning on Opening Day. He only recorded one out, giving up three hits and an earned run before ceding to Jose Alvarez. This is pretty solid proof that Blake Parker is the closer for now in LA, although manager Mike Scioscia is not always easy […]

Brad Brach Blows Save Against Twins

Baltimore Orioles interim closer Brad Brach didn't help his case on Thursday to be the main guy in Zach Britton's absence. He entered the game and gave up two runs in two-thirds of an inning. Walking two hitters definitely did NOT help. Manager Buck Showalter may see how reliever Darren O'Day does or he may give […]

Fernando Rodney Serves Up Walk-Off Homer On Opening Day

Minnesota Twins closer Fernando Rodney had a forgettable debut with his new team. Rodney helped get the Twins out of a two on, one-out jam in the 10th inning but wasn't able to keep it going in the 11th as the first batter he faced, Adam Jones, deposited the ball over the fence for a […]

Hunter Strickland Picks Up First Save

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland picked up his first save of the year Thursday evening. Manager Bruce Bochy said pregame that Strickland would start the season as the closer. He should be owned in all leagues.

Hector Neris Earns Loss To Begin Season

On the day where Philadelphia Phillies manager Gabe Kapler shook up the fantasy world when he implied the club wouldn’t go with a fixed closer, Hector Neris was tagged with a loss. The club suffered a disappointing, 8-5 defeat in walk-off fashion after taking a five-run lead. Neris, who was widely expected to be the […]

Dellin Betances The One Negative For New York Thursday

The New York Yankees enjoyed their first Opening Day victory in seven years with an all-around great team performance at the Rogers Centre on Thursday. With starting pitcher Luis Severino and outfielder Giancarlo Stanton leading the way, the only weak point for the club was reliever Dellin Betances and his continued struggles. The 30-year-old allowed a home run […]

Corey Knebel Blows First Save Of The Season Against Padres

Milwaukee Brewers closer Corey Knebel did not get his 2018 off to a good start as he gave up two hits, one run and had a strikeout against the Padres during a blown save. Knebel came into this game with a 1-0 lead and eventually gave up a single to Carlos Asuaje, who was then […]

Josh Hader Strikes Out The Side In Relief

Milwaukee Brewers relief pitcher Josh Hader went one inning on Thursday, giving up one hit, one walk and striking out three against the San Diego Padres for a hold. Hader made his rookie appearance last season and pitched for a solid 2.08 ERA and 68 strikeouts in 47 2/3 innings pitched, so this is no […]

Jordan Hicks Impresses in His Major League Debut

St. Louis Cardinals rookie relief pitcher Jordan Hicks made his major league debut on Opening Day and was impressive, pitching a scoreless inning while allowing one hit and striking out one. Hicks reached 102 mph with his fastball and showed a good slider as well. With Greg Holland signed, the small chance Hicks had of […]

Dan Jennings Signs With Brewers

Free-agent left-handed relief pitcher Dan Jennings has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers and is pending a physical after being released by the Rays. Jennings is most likely being brought in as a result of lefty Boone Logan being placed on the disabled list and will serve as a middle reliever for the Brewers for the time […]

Hunter Strickland Named Giants Closer

Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports that San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Hunter Strickland will be the team’s closer. Mark Melancon (elbow) was placed on the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Strickland allowed zero runs this spring and should be added in all leagues. He'll have […]

Sam Dyson And Hunter Strickland Could Get Save Opportunities

With San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) placed on the 10-day disabled list, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that relief pitchers Sam Dyson and Hunter Strickland are most likely to replace Melancon. Dyson filled in for Melancon last year, while Strickland excelled this spring and gave up zero runs. Free-agent signee […]

Danny Salazar Officially Heads to the Disabled List

Cleveland Indians right-handed pitcher Danny Salazar (shoulder) was officially placed on the disabled list with a rotator cuff injury. Salazar missed spring training and just started throwing off a mound a few days ago. He'll probably miss at least April, but could be back in May if things go well. His role once he returns is […]

Ken Giles Ready To Bounce Back From Poor Postseason

Houston Astros closer Ken Giles has enjoyed a strong spring training and hopes his poor postseason will be a thing of the past heading into the season. Giles had a fantastic regular season, posting a 2.30 ERA with 34 saves, and 83 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. Giles was as locked down as it gets […]

Huston Street Retiring

Former Los Angeles Angels closer Huston Street, after not finding a job this offseason, appears to have called it a career. Street was hampered by injuries the last two seasons, only throwing 26 1/3 innings combined. The 2005 American League Rookie of the Year finishes his career with 324 saves and a 2.95 ERA. He […]

Phillies Won’t Name Closer

When asked about the Philadelphia Phillies options in the ninth inning when the team is in the lead, Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said, “We’re going to go with our dudes.” It doesn’t sound like the Phillies will announce a closer, but relievers Hector Neris, Pat Neshek and Luis Garcia would appear to be the likely candidates […]

Cardinals Finally Sign Greg Holland

The St. Louis Cardinals signed free-agent relief pitcher Greg Holland to a one-year, $14 million contract on Thursday. Holland waited until Opening Day to sign, so it should take him a bit to be ready to appear in a game. Once he's ready, he'll be the unquestioned closer in the St. Louis bullpen, ending the […]

Raisel Iglesias Placed On Paternity List

The Cincinnati Reds have placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the paternity list. This will put him out of action for three days as the Reds gear up to start the season against the Washington Nationals on Friday. With Iglesias out of action for the weekend, look for either Wandy Peralta or Kevin Quackenbush to close […]

Keone Kela To Begin Season As Rangers Closer

Texas Rangers manager Jeff Bannister has announced that relief pitcher Keone Kela will open the season as the Rangers closer. Bannister also mentioned that he won’t use any relievers in three straight games and that Kevin Jepsen could also be in the mix for saves. The biggest loser for fantasy purposes is reliever Alex Claudio, […]

Mark Melancon Placed On 10-Day Disabled List

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (elbow) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Melancon said earlier this spring he is not 100 percent. The closer has been a bust thus far for the Giants with both on-the-field struggles and injuries. Relievers Tony Watson and Sam Dyson […]

Alex Claudio Still Listed Atop Bullpen Depth Chart

With no official announcement and plenty of scuttlebutt to sort through, it's worth noting that the official Texas Rangers MLB.com website currently lists reliever Alex Claudio on top of the bullpen depth chart. Every outlet has their own opinion, and it's not surprising that the 26-year-old isn't atop the wish list. Claudio brings a boring, […]

Bill Dubiel's 10 Bold Predictions for 2018

These bold predictions usually go one of two ways--I'm either spot on or I look like a clown. Still rubbing off the white makeup from my face after last year. It's funny, because I'm pretty good when it comes to rankings, but these shots in the dark, not so much. But this year will be […]

Week 1 Waiver Wire: 25-50% Owned Pickups

First, winter was here and the night was truly dark and full of terrors. But now, now it's Opening Day and the ills of the world are all invited to screw off. I love you all, what a great day! In light of this, let's give that free agent pool one last look over before […]