Chicago Cubs pitchers David Robertson (undisclosed) and Marcus Stroman (undisclosed) play catch on Saturday. Both Cubs pitchers were placed on the COVID-19 injured last Sunday. According to Cubs manager David Ross, Stroman and Robertson feel better, but a return date remains unclear. Robertson owns a 1.50 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 17 strikeouts over 12 innings in 2022. Rowan Wick will continue to handle closing duties while Robertson is out. Stroman may not miss more time and return to the rotation once activated. The 31-year-old owns a 5.13 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 22 strikeouts across 26 1/3 innings in 2022.

The Chicago Cubs placed relief pitcher David Robertson on the injured list on Monday. No injury designation was given, so it is likely that he is being placed on the COVID-19 injured list. First baseman Frank Schwindel was recalled in a corresponding move. Robertson has been the team's primary closer out of the gate this year, converting each of his five save opportunities while pitching to a 1.50 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP. It's unclear how long he'll be out for, but Mychal Givens and Rowan Wick figure to be the top candidates for any save opportunities that arise while Robertson is on the shelf.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher David Robertson picked up his second save in two days in Monday's 4-2 win over the Rays. The veteran entered the game to pitch the ninth inning with a two-run lead and pitched a scoreless inning with no hits, a walk, and a strikeout to secure his fourth save of the season. Robertson has quickly emerged as a surprise fantasy contributor early on in the season and appears to be the leading candidate for save opportunities for the Cubs. He has yet to blow a save or allow a run through his first five innings pitched and has four strikeouts and two walks. Robertson is currently rostered in 76 percent of leagues and should be rostered in at least all roto leagues at this time.

Chicago Cubs pitcher David Robertson struck out one over a perfect inning to earn the save in Sunday's 6-4 win over the Colorado Rockies. He entered the ninth inning to protect a 6-4 lead and retired all three hitters he faced to log his third save of the year. The 37-year-old has been effective and is 3-for-3 in save chances this season. He owns a 0.50 WHIP and three strikeouts over four scoreless innings in 2022. Robertson is Chicago's primary closer and should be rostered in all league formats.

Chicago Cubs pitcher David Robertson pitched a perfect inning to earn the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He entered the ninth inning to protect a one-run lead and retired all three batters he faced to record his second save of the season. The 37-year-old has now converted each of the Cubs' first two save chances of the year. Robertson owns a 1.00 WHIP while striking out two batters over two scoreless innings in 2022. Fantasy managers should roster Robertson in all league formats as he is ahead of Rowan Wick as the team's primary closer.

Chicago Cubs relief pitcher David Robertson pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Opening Day to earn his first save of 2022. The veteran righty pitched around a one-out single by Willy Adames by striking out Christian Yelich and inducing a game-ending groundout by Andrew McCutchen. Robertson is long removed from being an elite option in fantasy - he had 34-plus saves from 2014-2016 - but he's got the most closing experience in the Chicago bullpen and should be the ninth-inning option as long as he's getting the job done. As a result, Robertson should be rostered in any fantasy league where saves are a category.

The Chicago Cubs have signed reliever David Robertson to a one-year deal, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Although Robertson has just 12 MLB innings under his belt since the end of 2019, he threw four scoreless innings during the 2021 postseason with Tampa Bay. Going forward, he'll offer veteran bullpen depth for a Cubs team that is looking to remain competitive this season. To make room for the right-hander on the 40-man roster, Codi Heuer was placed on the 60-day injured list.

Free-agent pitcher David Robertson signed with the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday. The 36-year-old hasn't pitched in the majors since 2019 but has recorded 137 saves along with a 2.90 ERA and 1.15 WHIP over 663 2/3 career innings. He will be used in a middle relief role once activated to the big league roster. The Rays are short-handed in the bullpen with Nick Anderson (elbow), Pete Fairbanks (shoulder), and DJ Johnson (shoulder) all on the injured list. Despite all the recent injuries, Robertson won't be in the mix for save opportunities and can be left on the waiver wire in most league formats. Matt Wisler and Andrew Kittredge will continue to split closing duties until Anderson or Fairbanks return.

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Jon Lester, Corey Kluber and Brad Hand were among 15 more major leaguers who became free agents Friday when teams declined their 2021 options, many the victims of budget cuts following a regular season without fans due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. Also cut loose were Milwaukee infielders Jedd Gyorko and Eric Sogard, Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnación and left-hander Gio González, and Philadelphia relievers David Robertson, Héctor Neris and David Phelps. AL champion Tampa Bay declined 2021 options on right-hander Charlie Morton and catcher Mike Zunino but say it remains hopeful of re-signing them. There are 175 players who became free agents following the World Series and about 15 more can go free this weekend. Among the remaining decisions are on player options by Yankees slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Boston designated hitter JD Martinez, Cincinnati outfielder Nick Castellanos and Mets reliever Dellin Betances. Teams must decide by 5 p.m. Sunday whether... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have declined options on relievers Héctor Neris, David Phelps and David Robertson, clearing out the bullpen after it posted the highest ERA in the majors. Philadelphia also said Friday that right-hander Heath Hembree, left-hander Adam Morgan and right-hander Blake Parker all elected free agency rather than accept outright assignments off the 40-man roster. Right-hander Johan Quezada was claimed off waivers from Miami, and infielder Phil Gosselin also refused an outright assignments and elected free agency. Neris is eligible for arbitration. Robertson and Phelps are eligible to become free agents this weekend. Neris' option was worth $7,111,111, including $111,111 in escalators for games finished. He was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever in 2019 but struggled in 2020 after landing on the COVID-19 injured list during summer camp workouts. The right-hander posted a 4.57 ERA with five saves in 24 games, among the biggest disappointments for... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have declined options on relievers Héctor Neris, David Phelps and David Robertson, clearing out the bullpen after it posted the highest ERA in the majors. Philadelphia also said Friday that right-hander Heath Hembree, left-hander Adam Morgan and right-hander Blake Parker all elected free agency rather than accept outright assignments off the 40-man roster. Right-hander Johan Quezada was claimed off waivers from Miami, and infielder Phil Gosselin also refused an outright assignments and elected free agency. Neris' option was worth $7,111,111, including $111,111 in escalators for games finished. He was Philadelphia's most reliable reliever in 2019 but struggled in 2020 after landing on the COVID-19 injured list during summer camp workouts. The right-hander posted a 4.57 ERA with five saves in 24 games, among the biggest disappointments for a bullpen that had a 7.06 ERA. His contract did not include a buyout. Phelps was acquired from Milwaukee... [More]

This year’s baseball draft has been shortened to five rounds, meaning the number of players picked will be significantly smaller than usual. That could leave several potential contributors among the large group of undrafted players.Although expectations are higher for prospects taken in the first couple of rounds, players drafted much later can and do become major league standouts. Here’s an All-Star team of sorts, comprised only of players taken after the fifth round.(The career wins above replacement figures listed are from Baseball-Reference.com. Players are put at positions where they flourished as major leaguers — not necessarily the positions they played at the time they were drafted.)CATCHER: Mike Piazza, Dodgers (62nd round, 1988, 59.6 WAR)Only seven teams were still making selections by the 62nd round of the 1988 draft, when the Dodgers took Piazza. His father was a friend of manager Tommy Lasorda. Piazza went on to become one of the game’s top hitters, and he is the lowest-drafted... [More]

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Tommy Hunter passed his physical and worked out with the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday after the right-hander finalized an $850,000, one-year contract.Hunter can earn an additional $1.4 million in performances as part of deal.Hunter had surgery last July to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm after pitching in just five games. He had a 3.80 ERA in 64 innings in 2018 and has a 4.08 ERA and 21 saves in 12 seasons. Righty reliever David Robertson was moved to the 60-day injury list to make room on the roster. He is recovering from Tommy John surgery on Aug. 15.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Tommy Hunter passed his physical and worked out on Wednesday.Hunter finalized a one-year contract, and righty reliever David Robertson was moved to the 60-day injury list to make room on the roster. Hunter had surgery last July to repair the flexor tendon in his right arm after pitching in just five games. He had a 3.80 ERA in 64 innings in 2018. Hunter has a 4.08 ERA and 21 saves in 12 seasons. ___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

CLEARWATER, Fla. (AP) — Philadelphia Phillies manager Joe Girardi wants to have a healthy team down the stretch this year and says he will be diligent in making sure his players aren’t overworked early in the season. “I take it personal when a guy gets hurt,” Girardi said. “I think there is enough talent to win.”The Phillies dealt with a variety of injuries last year, including left fielder Andrew McCutchen missing the final four months of the season with a torn ACL. Reliever David Robertson missed most of 2019 after Tommy John surgery and is expected to miss a large portion of this season, too.“If you ask our training staff, he's driving them nuts because he wants to get back on the mound,” Girardi said of Robertson. “And he’s not to that point. But he’s healing great, and we’re excited about where he’s at.”Expect the Phillies to go slow with McCutchen to start spring training, as well, preparing him to be ready for the start of the season. He led the major leagues in walks before the... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have declined club options on left-hander Jason Vargas and right-handers Jared Hughes and Pat Neshek.Vargas was 1-4 with a 5.37 ERA in 11 starts with the Phillies, who acquired him on July 29 from the Mets. He gets a $2 million buyout instead of $8 million for 2020, and New York is sending the Phillies $2 million to offset the cost of the buyout.Hughes had a 3.91 ERA in 25 appearances with the Phillies. He receives a $250,000 buyout instead of $3 million for 2020.Neshek pitched 18 innings in 2019 and only 42 1/3 over the past two seasons while earning $16.5 million. He gets a $750,000 buyout instead of $7 million for 2020.Philadelphia said pitchers Jerad Eickhoff, Mike Morin, Blake Parker and Edubray Ramos and infielder Phil Gosselin all had refused outright assignments to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and had elected to become free agents.Pitchers Víctor Arano, Seranthony Domínguez, David Robertson, Robert Stock and Adam Morgan and outfielder Andrew McCutchen were reinstated from the 60-day injured list, and outfielder Odubel Herrera was reinstated from the restricted list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Phillies have declined club options on left-hander Jason Vargas and right-handers Jared Hughes and Pat Neshek.Vargas was 1-4 with a 5.37 ERA in 11 starts with the Phillies, who acquired him on July 29 from the Mets. He gets a $2 million buyout instead of $8 million for 2020, and New York is sending the Phillies $2 million to offset the cost of the buyout.Hughes had a 3.91 ERA in 25 appearances with the Phillies. He receives a $250,000 buyout instead of $3 million for 2020.Neshek pitched 18 innings in 2019 and only 42 1/3 over the past two seasons while earning $16.5 million. He gets a $750,000 buyout instead of $7 million for 2020.Philadelphia said pitchers Jerad Eickhoff, Mike Morin, Blake Parker and Edubray Ramos and infielder Phil Gosselin all had refused outright assignments to Triple-A Lehigh Valley and had elected to become free agents.Pitchers Víctor Arano, Seranthony Domínguez, David Robertson, Robert Stock and Adam Morgan and outfielder Andrew McCutchen were reinstated from the 60-day injured list, and outfielder Odubel Herrera was reinstated from the restricted list.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Gabe Kapler took the fall for the Philadelphia Phillies.He was fired Thursday, nearly two weeks after a disappointing finish to a season of big expectations highlighted by Bryce Harper's arrival.Kapler went 161-163 in two years, his team unable to deliver following its offseason spending spree. Philadelphia finished 81-81, its first nonlosing season since 2012."Several years ago, I promised our loyal fans that I would do everything in my power to bring a world championship team to our city. I will never waver from that commitment," Phillies managing partner John Middleton said in a statement."I have decided that some changes are necessary to achieve our ultimate objective. Consequently, we will replace our manager. I am indebted to Gabe for the steadfast effort, energy and enthusiasm that he brought to our club, and we are unquestionably a better team and organization as a result of his contributions."The Phillies were only two games behind in the NL wild-card standings... [More]