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 […]

Pedro Strop Expects To Pitch Next Week

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) is expecting to pitch in a spring game at some point next week. Strop has been sidelined this spring with a sore calf. The Cubs have added relievers Steve Cishek and Brandon Morrow at the back end of the bullpen and also have Carl Edwards and Justin Wilson in […]

Dellin Betances (RP, NYY) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target ~230 CURRENT ADP: 278 ANALYSIS: At his current ADP, Dellin Betances is going undrafted in many standard leagues. While not currently a closer, Betances contributes meaningfully in strikeouts, ERA and WHIP. Since 2014, he ranks fourth with a 14.44 K/9 amongst all pitchers. He's been flat-out dominant out of the bullpen with […]

Cubs Release Justin Grimm

The Chicago Cubs announced on Thursday that they have released relief pitcher Justin Grimm. Grimm is coming off of a down season in 2017 and has struggled so far this spring. A converted starter, Grimm should be able to land on his feet in another organization.

Braves Expressing Interest in Greg Holland

Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports said that the Atlanta Braves have "checked in" on free-agent closer Greg Holland. They may not have a chance, but the fact that he's from North Carolina may help their cause. Of course, if he does sign, that means relief pitcher Arodys Vizcaino is no longer the closer. Don't panic on […]

Updated Relief Pitcher Rankings - 2018 Fantasy Baseball

One final time before regular season baseball returns and our lives are, at last, complete, RotoBaller's staff writers are updating their 2018 fantasy baseball rankings. Today, we'll be taking a look at one of the shallower positions - relief pitcher. As usual, there are a few elite options at the top, and it gets much […]

Pedro Strop Close To Returning

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Pedro Strop (calf) said Wednesday that he is close to making his Spring Training debut. Strop has been dealing with a calf injury for most of Spring Training and will hope to be ready by Opening Day. Aside from leagues with holds, Strop doesn’t provide much help to fantasy owners.

Luke Gregerson Plays Catch on Tuesday

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Luke Gregerson (oblique) was able to play catch on Tuesday. Manager Mike Matheny said that Gregerson's next step should be a bullpen session, then a simulated game or even a return to a Grapefruit League game. Gregerson was seen as the favorite for the closer's role in St. Louis at […]

Cardinals Release Jordan Schafer

The St. Louis Cardinals released relief pitcher/outfielder Jordan Schafer. He was first reassigned to minor league camp but was more recently given his full release, making him a free agent. He's been on the mound and in the outfield in the minor leagues for the last two seasons, but he missed most of last year […]

Dominic Leone Suddenly the Front-Runner for Saves in St. Louis

St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Dominic Leone seems to have suddenly become the favorite for saves in the Cardinals bullpen. General manager John Mozeliak said that if the season were to begin Wednesday, the team's closer "would probably be Dominic Leone." The begin today part is key because Luke Gregerson, who has been considered the […]

Using Sabermetrics For Fantasy Baseball Part 13 - Spin Rate

Spin rate has become one of the most recognizable Statcast metrics, with supporters of a given pitcher highlighting his spin rates to make their case. Unfortunately, the baseball world has done a lousy job conveying what spin rate really means. The result has been a ton of owners who know that spin rate exists, but […]

Brad Ziegler (RP, Mia) - 2018 Fantasy Baseball Sleepers & Draft Values

BALLER MOVE: Target end of your draft or ~275, whichever comes first CURRENT ADP: 344 ANALYSIS: Miami Marlins closer Brad Ziegler is not a flashy pickup. He is not going to overwhelm anyone with strikeouts like Craig Kimbrel, induce a ridiculous amount of ground balls like Zach Britton, or blow teams away with a triple-digit fastball like Aroldis […]

Jordan Lyles Pounded By Cubs, Headed To Bullpen

San Diego Padres pitcher Jordan Lyles was rocked in a second consecutive outing on Tuesday, giving up four earned runs, five hits and two walks in three innings. AJ Cassavell of MLB.com believes he is destined for the bullpen. Lyles has struggled this Spring to a 12.38 ERA and 2.50 WHIP in eight innings pitched. […]

Brad Brach May Not Have Entirely Sewn Up Interim Closing Job

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach may feel a bit unsettled when he checks social media after Tuesday's game. Manager Buck Showalter told the media that Brach is a "potential closer" while Zach Britton rehabs from an Achilles injury. Showalter alluded to other relievers like Mychal Givens and Darren O'Day as options, too. Pay attention to […]

Jeurys Familia Scheduled To Pitch On Thursday

New York Mets reliever Jeurys Familia (shoulder) is scheduled to return and pitch on Thursday against the Miami Marlins. Familia hasn’t pitched since last Thursday when he got touched up and said his shoulder was tight. After throwing a bullpen session Tuesday, he declared himself ready to go. We wouldn’t worry about Familia’s struggles or his tight […]

Arodys Vizcaino Gives Up Three Runs In Loss To Phillies

This headline about Atlanta Braves closer Arodys Vizcaino would have been a lot more upsetting had it happened during the regular season. Since it's spring training and he wasn't even pitching in a save situation, it's all good. However, he's posted a 7.20 ERA. We still like him as a late-round pick as a low-end […]