Luis Cessa Slated To Start On Saturday

After missing Wednesday’s game against the New York Mets with a stiff neck, New York Yankees pitcher Luis Cessa is expected to pitch on Saturday, again against the Mets. The 25-year-old last pitched at the end of February, surrendering five runs on six hits in four innings of work across two outings. Cessa might have […]

Kyle Freeland Throws Three Innings Against Reds

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Kyle Freeland went three innings on Thursday, only giving up one run, two walks and three strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds. Freeland gave up one run in the first inning after Rosell Herrera stole second base and Devin Mesoraco batted him in. However, Freeland looked good in the remainder of his […]

Wander Suero Leaves Game With Trainer

Washington Nationals reliever Wander Suero left the game on Thursday with his trainer and manager after throwing just two pitches. He's likely hurt but the team hasn't announced what happened. Suero was having a good spring. Through four appearances and innings, he had given up one run, two hits and one walk, while striking out […]

Using Sabermetrics For Fantasy Baseball Part 11 - Batted Ball Distribution For Pitchers

The league average batted ball distribution in 2017 was 20.3% liners, 44.2% grounders and 35.5% flies. We have previously seen how pitchers may specialize in either grounders or fly balls. Fly ball pitchers have a BABIP advantage over their ground ball-inducing counterparts, since fly balls (.130 BABIP in 2017) consistently have lower BABIPs than worm […]

Mark Melancon Still Feeling Discomfort

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon (forearm) told reporters after his debut on Wednesday that he's still feeling discomfort but is still progressing. Melancon pitched in his first game since September after undergoing an operation to release pressure on the pronator muscle in his arm. Melancon initially was considered a bounce-back candidate heading into 2018, […]

Luke Gregerson Dealing With an Oblique Injury

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson is dealing with an oblique injury. Gregerson was scheduled to pitch Tuesday and didn't, then he missed Wednesday's scheduled appearance as well. Manager Mike Matheny described the issue as "minor," but oblique injuries are tricky for pitchers and can sometimes linger, taking much longer than expected to recover from. Gregerson […]

Zach Britton Supposedly Ahead Of Schedule

Well, it looks like Baltimore Orioles closer Zach Britton may be making more progress in his rehab from his Achilles injury than anticipated. How much more? Well, that's the unknown part. Manager Buck Showalter is keeping mum on that part. The team must be excited knowing that they may get their closer back sooner than […]

Chris Young Sharp, Luis Perdomo Struggles Against Royals

Two San Diego Padres competing for the starting rotation made their cases on Tuesday against the Royals. Pitcher Chris Young struck out four and allowed one earned run in three innings. Meanwhile, starter Luis Perdomo struggled in three innings, allowing two earned runs, but recorded five strikeouts. Young, a non-roster invitee, is a 38-year-old veteran with both […]

Michael Kohn Dealing With Nerve Issue

Minnesota Twins reliever Michael Kohn has been diagnosed with a nerve issue in his biceps and will be out of action for four to six months. The 31-year-old right-hander came down with soreness in the muscle last week and will be sidelined in order to rest and rehab the nerve issue. Kohn has dealt with numerous […]

2018 Bullpen Outlooks - National League Central

The National League Central continues our series of National League bullpen outlooks. Check out all of the American League divisions here: AL East, AL Central, AL West, and the first National League article here: NL East The NL Central has several strong closers who could make some significant noise in fantasy leagues this season. Even with that being […]

Best-Ball Draft Strategy Overview for Fantasy Baseball

It's finally March, which can only mean two things: Spring Training and fantasy drafts. All the effort spent on rankings and draft prep finally come to fruition. Once your draft is completed, you then get to spend every day of the rest of the season analyzing player performances, scouring waiver wires and setting the best […]

Tim Lincecum to Join the Bullpen

Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that pitcher Tim Lincecum will be joining the bullpen for the Texas Rangers in 2018. What role he will occupy is still to be determined, according to general manager Jon Daniels, but the team has not ruled out using Lincecum in the late innings. The former Cy […]

Bud Norris Throws Live Batting Practice on Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed relief pitcher Bud Norris (hamstring) threw live batting practice on Tuesday. Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said that the reason they were having Norris throw batting practice instead of pitching in a regular game was because they wanted him to be able to get his work in without having to worry about […]

Pedro Strop Could Pitch This Weekend

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) is expected to throw a bullpen session on Tuesday. If all goes well, Strop could pitch in a game this weekend. Strop has been dealing with a sore left calf and has yet to get on the mound. Strop should be able to pick up some holds but […]

Anthony Gose Placed on Outright Waivers

Houston Astros Rule 5 pick Anthony Gose has been placed on outright waivers, per Jake Kaplan of The Athletic. If Gose clears waivers, the Astros would have to offer him back to the Texas Rangers. A converted outfielder, Gose only made one appearance in the Grapefruit League, walking all three of the hitters he faced. Despite […]

Anthony Swarzak Throws Modified Bullpen Session

New York Mets reliever Anthony Swarzak (calf) threw a modified bullpen session on Monday (around 20 pitches) and emerged feeling “really good.” Swarzak has been dealing with a strained left calf, which he injured last Tuesday after running to cover first base. Assuming he continues to progress as he is now, he should be ready to […]

Jordan Schafer Reassigned to Minor League Camp

The St. Louis Cardinals reassigned pitcher/outfielder Jordan Schafer to minor league camp. He was one of seven players to be reassigned to minor league camp by the Cardinals this weekend, but the only one that may have been an interesting piece this season. Schafer played in the big leagues from 2009-2015 as an outfielder but […]

David Price Is Confident In New Spring Routine

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher David Price praises the new spring regimen, according to Nick Friar of SouthCoastToday.com. Price is supportive of the gradual and methodical progression of the staff's pitching plan. This year, he has been allowed to build up his pitches to the point he feels more prepared than past years to face […]

Brad Boxberger Has Bullpen Session

Arizona Diamondbacks reliever Brad Boxberger threw a successful bullpen session on Sunday, according to Craig Grialao of ArizonaSports.com. The session consisted of 25 pitches. “I was there to watch it. It was very aggressive and looked good,” manager Torey Lovullo said, adding the team will now reassess and determine Boxberger’s next step. Thus far, Boxberger […]

Tom Koehler Will Start Season On DL With Shoulder Strain

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tom Koehler, the only major offseason acquisition by the club, was diagnosed with a mild shoulder capsule strain and will start the season on the disabled list. The righty left his Cactus League game on Friday after giving up a home run and two walks, while only getting one out. The […]

Addison Reed (RP, MIN) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~200 CURRENT ADP:  260 ANALYSIS: Reed is currently being drafted right around pick 260. He’s going after at least 25 other relief pitchers, one of whom is teammate Fernando Rodney. This is the same Addison Reed who has posted a 2.29 ERA since going to the Mets in September of 2015. That 2.29 ERA […]

Colin Rea Shut Down With Shoulder Pain

San Diego Padres starting pitcher Colin Rea (elbow, shoulder) is being temporarily shut down after experiencing shoulder pain. This is a tough setback for Rea, who missed all of 2017 recovering from Tommy John Surgery. Rea's absence will jeopardize his shot as a starter. His injury likely leaves seven Padres pitchers vying for three rotation […]

Sandy Alcantara Continues To Impress This Spring

Pitcher Sandy Alcantara impressed for the Miami Marlins on Thursday by allowing four hits and only one earned run in three innings against the New York Mets. Alcantara, who came to Miami from St. Louis in the Marcell Ozuna trade, has looked solid this Spring. In five innings of work, the young fireballer has a […]

RotoBaller Industry Expert Fantasy Baseball Mock Draft

On Thursday, February 15th, we brought together an illustrious group of industry experts to take part in the RotoBaller Friends and Family mock draft. We'll be playing this out as a best ball league. Our participants represented sites like: Creative Sports (Lawr Michaels) Fangraphs (Alex Chamberlain) GuruElite (Ray Flowers) Fantasy Alarm (Howard Bender) CBS (Heath […]

2018 Bullpen Outlooks - National League East

The National League East kicks off the first of our National League bullpen outlooks. Check out all of the American League divisions here: AL East, AL Central, AL West. The NL East doesn't feature any of the big name closers that casual baseball fans would recognize, but there are some solid relief arms on each team […]

Mark Melancon Hopes To Put 2017 Behind Him

San Francisco Giants closer Mark Melancon is looking to move on from an unforgettable 2017 campaign. Melancon spoke about his focus for 2018 and how he won’t forget about 2017, but will learn from it and make sure it doesn’t happen again. He is also focused on being productive and healthy. Melancon dealt with injuries […]

Tom Koehler Leaves Game With Possible Injury

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Tom Koehler (undisclosed), who was recently acquired, left Friday's Cactus League game against the White Sox after a third of an inning. He left with trainer Nate Lucero and got an MRI. He quickly gave up a home run to Adam Engel on his first pitch of the third inning, so things […]

Kenley Jansen Given Day Off, Will Still Be Ready

Los Angeles Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen has been given the day off from his bullpen session on Friday. He'll still be ready for Opening Day, though, since relievers are given a lighter workload in the spring. The team is also mindful of his innings from last season and hopes to give him a similar number […]

Michael Kohn Tears Right Biceps

Minnesota Twins right-hander Michael Kohn tore the coracobraschialis muscle in his right biceps on Wednesday. The 31-year-old right-hander is expected to miss several months after the injury and will be seen at the Mayo Clinic to undergo further testing. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2016, Kohn spent the 2017 season pitching in the minors […]

Brad Brach Will Pitch For First Time On Saturday

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach will see game action for the first time this Spring when Baltimore goes up against the Phillies. Brach is holding down the fort at the closer position until Zach Britton returns from his Achilles injury.