Nathan Eovaldi Out For The Rays, Austin Pruitt Called Up

Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi will require surgery to repair "loose bodies" in his elbow. This was terrible news to come down right before the season starts. There is some speculation that he could get away with as little as six to eight weeks before he gets back to pitching. This presents a […]

Dellin Betances Feeling Confidence As Season Begins

Following a 2017 season that saw his quality suffer a steep decline, New York Yankees relief pitcher Dellin Betances didn’t do himself any favors with his spring training. The All-Star reliever pitched to an ugly 6.75 ERA, but he still feels good about his ability to perform this season. The 30-year-old isn’t specifically looking at the […]

Tim Lincecum Looks to May 1 for Return

Texas Rangers reliever Tim Lincecum will play catch Thursday to test out the blister he has been suffering from for the past few days. The former Cy Young winner is targeting May 1 to return to action. Lincecum missed the entire spring after signing with the Rangers and will likely need a week or two […]

Hector Neris Primed For Leap In 2018

One poor outing from Philadelphia Phillies closer Hector Neris caused his numbers to balloon, failing to tell the story of his Spring Training. Outside of one bad performance against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this month, Neris tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing just one run on nine hits while striking out six. Neris is coming […]

Hector Santiago Breaks Camp With White Sox

Pitcher Hector Santiago will be on the Opening Day roster for the Chicago White Sox. Santiago has been a starting pitcher throughout his career but will operate out of the bullpen to start 2018. Santiago can be avoided in all formats as long as he's coming out of the bullpen.

Luke Gregerson Officially Placed on the Disabled List

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson was officially placed on the disabled list with a hamstring strain on Wednesday. The team made the move retroactive to March 26, but Gregerson isn't expected to be ready until the middle of April. Gregerson had a rough spring, first dealing with an oblique strain and then suffering […]

Alex Reyes Placed on the Disabled List to Start the Season

St. Louis Cardinals right-handed pitcher Alex Reyes (elbow) was officially placed on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday. Reyes is almost fully recovered from Tommy John Surgery but just needs a little more time before heading back to a big league mound. He's expected to be ready to return around May 1 but may come back […]

Felipe Rivero Finishes Shaky Spring on High Note

Pittsburgh Pirates reliever Felipe Rivero had a breakout 2017 and emerged as the team's closer, but his momentum didn't carry over into spring training. The left-hander allowed a 5.14 ERA (plus seven unearned runs) and struggled primarily with his command, walking five and allowing two home runs in only seven innings. Fortunately, Grapefruit League play […]

Aroldis Chapman's Spring Training A Positive

In his Spring Training debut this year, New York Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman hit a batter, gave up a hit and also a run. It was his only run surrendered, as he made five additional appearances and was superb. He allowed just three more hits, tallying four in 4 1/3 innings, striking out 10 along […]

Cody Allen Pitches Well in Spring Training

Cleveland Indians closer Cody Allen pitched well in Cactus League play, posting a 1.13 ERA and 12 strikeouts in eight innings of work. He allowed just two hits all spring. Allen will resume his role as closer for a team sure to win plenty of games. He has nice strikeout upside, too, and belongs a […]

Andrew Miller Slumps Through Spring Training

Cleveland Indians relief pitcher Andrew Miller had a rough Spring Training, posting a 7.71 ERA in seven innings pitched. It's a small sample size, of course, and Miller has enough of a track record to show that these Cactus League stats are absolutely nothing to worry about. He will continue his role as Cleveland's Swiss […]

Carl Edwards Finishes Spring On A High Note

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards has finished Spring Training in top shape, allowing no runs and striking out eight batters over his last six appearances. Brandon Morrow will open the season as the Cubs closer, but Edwards is likely to be the next man up if Morrow gets hurt or struggles. Outside of holds, […]

Padres Non-Roster Invitee Adam Cimber Makes Opening Day Roster

After allowing no runs over nine innings this spring, San Diego Padres non-roster invitee Adam Cimber will be a member of the Padres bullpen on Opening Day. Cimber's 0.55 WHIP was the lowest by a Padres pitcher this spring, and his nine strikeouts tied him for 11th most on the team. After five years in […]

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 […]