Andrew Bailey: (Biceps) Returning Monday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Andrew Bailey: Bailey (biceps) will be activated from the disabled list Monday, the Boston Globe reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Closing Time: Cishek struggles, Murphy ablaze, Moreland still raking

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

So Thursday's slate played out pretty much the way we all expected. Aroldis Chapman blew a save against the Marlins, Justin Verlander gave up eight runs and couldn't escape the third, and, of course, Francisco Liriano struck out seven batters in an easy win.

Baseball, you guys. Almost too predictable. Why they even play the games, I don't really know.

We're heading straight to the bullets, because nothing makes sense just now...

• Stay ready, Mike Dunn. Steve Cishek took an extra-inning loss on Thursday (following the Chapman blown save), giving up three hits, two walks and three runs to the Reds. He struck out no one, raising his ERA to 5.40 and his WHIP

Andrew Bailey: (Biceps) On Pace For Monday Return

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Andrew Bailey: Bailey (biceps) is on track to be activated from the disabled lit Monday, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Bailey (biceps) throws a 15-pitch sim. inning - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey (biceps) threw a 15-pitch simulated inning on Thursday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Andrew Bailey: Back By Monday

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Andrew Bailey: Bailey (biceps) will be activated from the disabled list by Monday, Alex Speier of WEEI Boston reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Bailey (biceps) on track to return by Monday - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Red Sox manager John Farrell said that Andrew Bailey (biceps) will come off the disabled list by Monday at the latest.

Andrew Bailey throws 20-pitch bullpen session - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey (biceps) threw a 20-pitch bullpen session on Tuesday afternoon and reported feeling fine.

Fantasy baseball roundtable: Koji Uehara, Marcell Ozuna, more

Source: SI.com

Boston's bullpen is in trouble, with Andrew Bailey and Joel Hanrahan hitting the DL nearly simultaneously -- are their replacements worth the pickup? Which slow starters should you buy low now in anticipation of a huge return? Our experts Michael Beller and Eric Mack give their thoughts.

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.7

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Another week, another series of injuries, another series of desperation moves on the waiver-wire. Well that’s not quite accurate, but the fact is that my fantasy baseball teams are struggling with injuries, just like many of yours. We’re all doing the best we can to piece together a competitive squad until health returns. Here are my moves in free agency Monday, May 13th.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Let’s go through the DL’d guys first –

The Wire Troll: The Venerable Will Venable

Source: RotoRob by Tim McLeod

James Loney has silenced the doubters.

It’s that very special day when we take the time to honour the special ladies in our lives. Shouldn’t it be Mother’s Day every day? Take the time to acknowledge everything that they do in making our lives as happy and fulfilled as they truly are.

After enjoying a couple weeks off, it’s time to get back down to business. This week we’re going to focus on some of the slow starters and veterans that are starting to round into form along with our usual look at the constant state of flux in the world of closers. Without further ado, let’s troll the wire.

James Loney, 1B, Tampa Bay Rays (CBS: 24 per cent owned, ESPN: 23 per cent): Many questioned the

Fantasy Beat – Closing Time

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

On this week’s addition of the “Fantasy Beat”, Justin Fensterman and Trevor Ray talk about which closers have excelled to start the season and which closers might soon be replaced. The guys also went over some of the injured closers around the league and who is filling in for them while they are out.

Mariano Rivera, Edward Mujica, Heath Bell, Kevin Gregg, Junichi Tazawa, Andrew Bailey, Kenley Jansen, Brandon League, Greg Holland, Tim Collins, Kelvin Herrera

Closing Time: One-hit wonders, Shelby Miller and Jon Lester

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Generally speaking, this is not a column where we celebrate the amazing feats of the universally-owned player. No one in a competitive league can go out and acquire Shelby Miller or Jon Lester today, and heck, it's the wrong time to ask for them in trade.

But some performances are too good to ignore, and sometimes you gotta break the rules (most of the formative life lessons come from discarded Burger King slogans). With that in mind, let's offer some words about the one-hit wonders.

Miller needed just 99 pitches (mostly fastballs) in his complete-game domination of the Rockies, racking up 13 strikeouts along the way. Eric Young Jr. opened the game with a flare single to right

Podcast: The Closer Carousel

Source: RotoRob by RotoRob

Joel Hanrahan is going to be sidelined for a while.

RotoRob was off this week with both the Blackhawks and Penguins in action Thursday, but to compensate for this loss, Tim returned from his trip after missing the past two weeks. To make things even more special, actor Ian Kahn made another appearance, joining Tim in RotoRob’s stead.

Tim being Tim (which means serious technical deficiencies — he makes those who endured years of flashing 12s on their VCRs seem advanced), the show got off to a rocky start. So ignore the dead air at the beginning and then bask in Tim’s technophobia for the next 60 seconds or so before the pair finally kick off the show.

Bullpen Report

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

Well, last week I said the Boston situation would go swimmingly, results so far have been 2 drowning victims and an all-Asian rescue team. First, Andrew Bailey went down with triceps injury, then Joel Hanrahan said, "anything you can do I can do better," and has a forearm strain. Now, I'm no doctor, I pretend to play one at 2 AM and it's last call, different story, but you get my point, but isn't it only one arm, not fore? So to the rescue in their tight red water panties are the best combo since Chico found the man, Koji and Junichi. The eighth and ninth innings for all games on NESN now will be in full anime, and Rem-Dog will be eaten. I fully expect Tazawa to be the focal point of save

Over/Under: Bucking the trend, Mets Masher on blistering HR pace

Source: Roto Arcade by Brad Evans

Fantasy is a speculative game. Predict the future, and you look like a genius. Don't, and you're painfully human. Gazing into the crystal ball, here's our view on 10 intriguing over/unders this week.

What the Buck?! Rest of season long-balls for possessed Mets catcher John Buck 14.5. Also, rank the following backstops in power terms ROS: Buck, Wilin Rosario, J.P. Arencibia

Dalton – UNDER. This was a tough one for me, as Buck definitely has pop, and I acknowledge his start to the year may be more than just a small sample fluke when it comes to home runs. But he plays catcher (he's reached 410 at-bats just once during his career), so I'll say he finishes with around 23-24 homers

Mostly MLB Notes: James Shields hot start, examining bullpens and prospect talk

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Leaving a home park that ranked first, second and seventh when it comes to suppressing runs scored over the past three years respectively (according to Park Factors) and a defense that has the highest UZR over that span as well, I was down on James Shields entering 2013. After all, he was just two years removed from a season in which he posted a 5.18 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. But I’ve been dead

Farrell: Koji in the eighth, Tazawa in the ninth

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

Well, it didn't take long for details of the latest Boston bullpen re-org to hit the street. If you're chasing saves in fantasy (as most of us are, eternally), you'll want to go get the dude pictured over on the right, Junichi Tazawa. He's currently available in 80 percent of Yahoo! leagues.

Red Sox manager John Farrell offered up these comments on Tuesday via SiriusXM MLB Network Radio:

"I think what we'd look to do is close Tazawa. We'd keep Koji [Uehara] in that eight inning role that he's been

Closing Time: Stephen Drew heats up; Boston bullpen phone dials to Japan

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

Monday was a fun day to be a sports fan in The Hub. The Bruins took care of business in the YYZ, thumping Toronto, while the Red Sox enjoyed a walk-off win over Minnesota. John Farrell's club has a 21-11 record through the opening five weeks, the best mark in baseball.

A high-octane offense is driving much of the Red Sox story: Boston currently stands fifth in runs, third in OBP, third in slugging, and second in stolen bases. There's solid production all over this lineup. And with that in mind, let's check in with the most under-appreciated part of the group, shortstop

Joel Hanrahan: Takes Over As Closer

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Joel Hanrahan: Hanrahan is the Red Sox's acting closer now that Andrew Bailey has landed on the DL due to inflammation in his biceps, the Boston Herald reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Andrew Bailey: Lands On DL

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Andrew Bailey: Bailey's MRI on Monday revealed inflammation in his biceps, which will force him to the 15-day disabled list, the Boston Herald reports. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

BoSox place Bailey (biceps) on disabled list - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Red Sox placed RHP Andrew Bailey on the 15-day disabled list with a right biceps injury.

Andrew Bailey will undergo MRI on bicep - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey will undergo an MRI on his injured right bicep on Monday.

Bailey unavailable after throwing before game - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey (biceps) will not pitch Saturday.

Andrew Bailey (biceps) throws off flat ground - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey (biceps) threw off flat ground Friday.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Andrew Bailey, J.J. Putz, more

Source: KFFL.com MLB

More of the same concerns for Andrew Bailey. Not necessarily weak stuff from J.J. Putz? Plus Edward Mujica, Bobby Parnell and

Closing Time: Andrew Bailey is dinged up again

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The Boston bullpen was tidy and orderly just a few days ago. Joel Hanrahan was fresh off the disabled list but headed for a non-closing role; Andrew Bailey's electric start to the season (1.46 ERA, 20 strikeouts in 12.1 innings) couldn't be ignored.

But just when Hanrahan seemed out of the picture, he's pulled back into the mix.

Hanrahan worked the ninth inning of Thursday's win at Toronto, dodging one hit and securing his fourth handshake. The surging Red Sox are off to a dazzling 20-8 start, a whopping 10.5 games ahead of the star-crossed Blue Jays. Hanrahan's season numbers are messy (9.45 ERA, five walks, four strikeouts), though he has just one blown save in his five

Andrew Bailey: Biceps Injury

Source: RotoWire.com MLB

Andrew Bailey: Bailey wasn't available Thursday because of a biceps injury that first surfaced Sunday, according to ESPN Boston, so the freshly activated Joel Hanrahan got the save chance for Boston against the Jays, and he converted it. Visit RotoWire.com for more analysis on this update.

Andrew Bailey dealing with biceps soreness - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey is nursing soreness in his right bicep.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Hot Seat: Andrew Bailey, Kevin Gregg, more

Source: KFFL.com MLB

John Farrell clarifies his plan at closer. Is Kevin Gregg the Cubs' long-term answer? Updates on Jose Valverde, Jason Motte and

Andrew Bailey will remain the Red Sox closer - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey will remain the Red Sox closer for now.

Andrew Bailey to keep Boston closer job? - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Red Sox manager John Farrell indicated on MLB Network Radio on Tuesday that Andrew Bailey is likely to keep the closer job despite Joel Hanrahan's return from the disabled list.

Bullpen Report

Source: Razzball by grey@razzball.com (Grey Albright)

So we come to another week of debauchery known as bullpendom. Yeah, I like to make up words, Dr. Seuss did it and he is considered a genius, me will settle for 700 on my SAT's and just scraping by. What can I say - I'm a settler minus the funny hat and the flashy yet obnoxious buckle on my shoes. The Red Sox seem to be leading the pack of news this week with Joel Hanrahan being pipped by Andrew Bailey. It's going to be a non-fluid situation when Joe-L returns as I see him setting up and waiting for Bailey to go on the rocks. It's not a bad thing to have if you're in Boston, 2 closers that have the ability to close out games with some sort of success, for fantasy it sucks worse then burning your

Fantasy Baseball Round Table: Evan Gattis vs. John Buck, more

Source: KFFL.com MLB

Lord Zola's knights pick their poisons. Do you believe it? Some of them preferred Buck over Gattis? Plus: Wandy Rodriguez vs. Jose Fernandez, Andrew Bailey vs. Edward Mujica, Daniel Nava vs. Vernon Wells.

MLB - Fantasy Baseball - Long Relief

Source: Fantasy Football Toolbox

The Andrew Bailey era begins in Boston while Edward Mujica rises to the occasion in St. Louis.

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.4

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

Oh those injuries. They can be a killer in fantasy baseball. Unfortunately, they are a fact of life. Injuries will happen. You have to able to adapt and work around that. Truthfully, these 2-3 week fill-in’s you add to your club will go a long way to determining whether or not you are in contention in September. Choose wisely young padawan.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): Just so you know that you aren’t the only one dealing with injuries, here are the players on my club that

Fantasy Baseball Diamond Market: Andrew Bailey, Josh Donaldson, more

Source: KFFL.com MLB

Another new savior emerges. Bay Area bats shake things up. And fantasy players are trying to roll with some creep named Quintana....

Closing Time: Joaquin Benoit earns the shakiest possible save. But hey, we’ll take it

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

On a night when the Tigers and Mariners somehow combined for 40 strikeouts, Joaquin Benoit didn't register a single K. He did, however, earn his first save of the 2013 season ... barely.

It can be argued that catcher Brayan Pena, a guy who spent 14 innings behind the plate on Wednesday night, actually deserves a share of the save, if not the whole damn thing. Pena survived a game-ending collision at home with Justin Smoak, recording the game's final out. Smoak attempted to score from first on Dustin Ackley's line-drive double, hammered into the right field

Closing Time: Joaquin Benoit records shakiest possible save

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

On a night when the Tigers and Mariners somehow combined for 40 strikeouts, Joaquin Benoit didn't register a single K. He did, however, earn his first save of the 2013 season ... barely.

It can be argued that catcher Brayan Pena, a guy who spent 14 innings behind the plate on Wednesday night, actually deserves a share of the save, if not the whole damn thing. Pena survived a game-ending collision at home with Justin Smoak, recording the game's final out. Smoak attempted to score from first on Dustin Ackley's line-drive double, hammered into the right field corner, but the relay throw beat the base-runner with

Bailey nails down save with a perfect ninth - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey recorded his first save of the season Wednesday, striking out a pair while retiring the Indians in order.

Bailey nails down save with perfect ninth - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

Andrew Bailey recorded his first save of the season Wednesday, striking out a pair while retiring the Indians in order.

Fantasy Baseball – FAAB Report, Wk.3

Source: Baseball Guys by Ray Flowers

It’s tax day. So after you fill out the forms, I know you didn’t get on it early since everyone loves to procrastinate so much, here is my report on the just completed week of free agency for the main fantasy baseball leagues I’m doing this season.

TOUT WARS (15 team mixed): With Derek

Don’t Hanrahate: Red Sox sticking with Joel Hanrahan. For now

Source: Roto Arcade by Andy Behrens

On second thought, perhaps it's OK to Hanrahate, just a little.

Boston's embattled closer faced only two batters in the ninth inning on Saturday, and he walked 'em both. Hanrahan threw 12 pitches, four of which were strikes. With that, his day ended. He was yanked in favor of Koji Uehara.

Hanrahan's mess was cleaned up nicely by Uehara (nine pitches, three outs), and the Red Sox managed to beat the Rays in 10 innings. So the day certainly wasn't a disaster for Boston.

But clearly, Joel Hanrahan is a closer in trouble. Over his last three appearances he's allowed four walks, three homers and six earned runs. Hanrahan received

2013 Rankings: Relief Pitchers

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

For the sake of comparing apples to apples, I've removed starting pitchers with relief pitcher eligibility from the list. Saves are what relievers are being drafted for, but there are a few relievers that will also make an impact in fantasy leagues with their dynamite ratios. 

Rank First Name Last

Pressing Questions: The Oakland A’s

Source: Roto Arcade by Dalton Del Don

Despite entering the year as heavy underdogs to both the Rangers and Angels, the A’s won the AL West last season, coming from down 5-1 in a memorable game on the final day of the regular season that I happened to be at.  The result culminated a remarkable comeback, as on June 30, the A’s trailed the Rangers by 13.5 games (not to mention the Red Sox by 4.5) and even crazier, were five games behind Texas with just nine remaining on the schedule, as they became one of the most unlikely division winners in recent memory. It wasn’t a fluke either

Pressing Questions: The Boston Red Sox

Source: Roto Arcade by Scott Pianowski

The 2011 Red Sox crash landed in the final frames; chicken and beer seldom break anyone's fall. The 2012 Olde Town Team was a beat-the-traffic special, dead in the water before high tide.

Last year's messy results speak for themselves. Boston finished dead last in the AL East (69-93), its first basement tape since 1992. The offense didn't score (734 runs, worst showing in two decades), the pitchers couldn't get people out (4.72 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 190 homers allowed), and too many players couldn't stay healthy. If you came to Fenway Park in the summer, you were there for the park, the atmosphere or the opponent. (I attended one game and spent three innings in the concession area talking Fantasy Football with my buddy Cuozzo.

2013 Fantasy Closer Sleepers: American League

Source: Fake Teams by Ray Guilfoyle

Today, I am going to take a look at several closer sleepers in the American League that you can get in the very last rounds of your mixed league drafts, or on the waiver wire. Every one knows that there is plenty of volatility in the closer role, and some owners aren't up for risking an early pick on a closer, so we are here to help. I will profile four relievers who could end up closing with a little bit of luck in 2013.

Andrew Bailey, BOS

I am recommending Bailey here for all the reasons I cited in Bret's article on closers to avoid this season. I am avoiding Red Sox closer

Joel Hanrahan (P-BOS)

Source: TG Fantasy Baseball

Bailey says demotion is 'not an issue' (The SportsXchange) - Disappointed? Sure, that's an accurate description of Andrew Bailey's sentiments after being removed from his role as theBoston Red Sox closer in the wake of the recent trade for Joel Hanrahan. Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com

2012's Biggest Offseason Moves: Hanrahan to Boston, Grilli to close

Source: Fantasy Baseball 365

Happy New Year and welcome to 2013! While the calendar has switched to January, we're still in the midst of taking a look back at the big offseason moves of 2012.

  Red Sox Acquire Joel Hanrahan   For the second offseason in a row, the Red Sox traded for a new closer. Andrew Bailey, the closer acquired from Oakland before the 2012 season, was barely healthy and Mark Melancon, formerly the closer of the Astros, struggled mightily early on and quickly -- a bit too quickly -- received an assignment to Triple-A. Can Hanrahan be the golden ticket?   Hanrahan has always had strikeout stuff, which has translated into good numbers over the past few seasons. However, aside from a major swing in the

BoSox open to trading reliever Andrew Bailey - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Red Sox are open to trading Andrew Bailey.

Red Sox open to trading Andrew Bailey - Andrew Bailey | BOS

Source: Rotoworld Baseball

According to ESPN's Buster Olney, the Red Sox are open to trading Andrew Bailey.