Colorado Rockies pitchers Tyler Kinley and Justin Lawrence are set to battle for the team's closer role in spring training. "We'll talk and as this spring progresses, those conversations will tighten up about role expectations," manager Bud Black said. Kinley saved five games down the stretch in September last year after returning from Tommy John surgery, while Lawrence had a career-high 11 saves in 2023. The Rockies probably aren't going to have a ton of save opportunities, so whoever is officially named the primary ninth-inning arm won't be all that attractive to fantasy managers and will almost certainly be on a short leash. The 29-year-old Lawrence should probably be considered the favorite for the role in Colorado for now.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence (ankle) was pulled from Friday's game versus the San Francisco Giants due to an ankle injury. The 28-year-old landed awkwardly on his left ankle during his eighth-inning appearance after striking out Joc Pederson, forcing his departure. Right-hander Nick Mears relieved him, but Tyler Kinley figures to be next in line for save chances in the event that the sidearming Lawrence requires time on the mend. Although, manager Bud Black doesn't expect an injured list stint at this time. The Rockies will have to dig deep into their bullpen reserves in the meantime with Daniel Bard (forearm) also currently shelved. Fantasy managers would be scraping the bottom of the barrel if veering into this ninth-inning mix at this juncture of the season for potential saves, but Kinley is worth a look for desperados.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence blew his fifth save of the season and took the loss in Tuesday's 8-5 game against the Diamondbacks. Lawrence came in to pitch the top of the ninth up by two. He allowed a leadoff single, a double, and a game-tying two-RBI single. He then got the first out on a flyout, allowed a go-ahead RBI double, got the second out on a flyout, and allowed another RBI double before being replaced. His stranded runner eventually came around to score, leaving Lawrence with a final line of five runs on five hits in 2/3 of an inning. The 28-year-old does have 10 saves this season to go with a 3.49 ERA. While the Rockies may not offer a ton of save opportunities, Lawrence does appear to be the arm to roster in deeper roto leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence picked up his 10th save of the season in Monday's 6-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Lawrence came in to pitch the top of the ninth inning up by two and turned in a 1-2-3 inning with three strikeouts. The 28-year-old has settled into the closer's role for the team and has now converted 10 of 14 save opportunities with a 2.76 ERA, a 9.36 K/9 rate, and a 3.99 BB/9 rate. The Rockies may not see a ton of save opportunities and have the disadvantage of playing their home games in Coors Field, but Lawrence's role makes him worth a roster spot in deeper roto leagues at this time.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence notched his ninth save Sunday by slamming the door on the St. Louis Cardinals in a 1-0 win. Lawrence was asked to pick up the final four outs in this one and, although he was shaky, managed to convert. He allowed a hit and walked a pair, but got through without allowing a run. This was a nice bounce-back for Lawrence, who has hit a bit of a rough patch lately after being excellent for most of the season. The Rockies don't have any other good options to close out games, so he should have a pretty long leash as their closer. Unfortunately, on a team as bad as Colorado, Lawrence might not see many saves. Still, in standard or deeper leagues he should be rostered.

Colorado Rockies right-hander Justin Lawrence threw one inning of no-hit ball on Tuesday, allowing no walks and striking out one to close out Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Houston Astros and record his sixth save of the campaign. The outing brought his line to an impressive 2.57 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, and 25.8% strikeout rate, to go along with eight holds across 49 innings. The Rockies closer situation has been fluid this season, but all of Lawrence's saves have come since the beginning of June, and it looks like he's leading the committee. Fantasy managers looking for saves can add the 28-year-old in deeper leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence held on for his fourth save of the season in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Lawrence allowed three hits and a run but managed to salvage the win. He appears to be the preferred option out of the Rockies bullpen, especially given today's usage with Pierce Johnson pitching to seventh and Daniel Bard tossing the eighth. Still, it might be more of a mix-and-match situation, especially given the results today. With the Rockies being awful, this bullpen should only be looked at in deeper leagues, but Lawrence should still be the best option from it.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence wasn't at his best on Sunday against the San Diego Padres, but he was able to pick up his third win of the season. Lawrence entered a tie game in the ninth inning and allowed an unearned run on one hit while walking two and striking out none in an inning of work. He was credited with the win when the Rockies scored two runs to walk it off in the bottom of the ninth. Since taking over the closer's role in Colorado, the 28-year-old right-hander has struggled, giving up four runs (three earned) while striking out four and walking three in 5 1/3 innings pitched. He also blew a save and was hit with a loss last Wednesday. Lawrence is really only worth rostering if you're desperate for saves in deep fantasy leagues.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Justin Lawrence blew a save and was saddled with a loss on Wednesday against the San Francisco Giants when he allowed two runs on one hit while walking one and striking out two in two innings of work. It was a hiccup in an otherwise solid season to this point for Lawrence, who had picked up the team's last two saves in their last series with the Kansas City Royals. The 28-year-old right-hander should still be considered the favorite for saves in Colorado despite Wednesday's blown save and loss. Overall, Lawrence is sporting a 3.41 ERA (2.73 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, two saves, 13 walks and 37 strikeouts in 34 1/3 relief innings in 2023.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Shohei Ohtani hit his major league-leading 31st homer in the third, and Juan Lagares ended it with a two-run double in the ninth inning of the Los Angeles Angels’ 6-5 comeback victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. Cedric Mullins hit a tiebreaking homer for Baltimore in the ninth in his first game after making his first All-Star team, but the Angels jumped all over Cole Sulser (2-1) without making an out in the bottom half. After Los Angeles loaded the bases on a walk and two short singles, Lagares doubled to the gap in right-center, extending the Angels’ winning streak to five games. Raisel Iglesias (6-3) got the win. Ohtani tied the MLB record for the most homers in a season by a Japanese-born player when he blasted a 459-foot solo shot off Thomas Eshelman to straightaway center. It was his 14th homer in 17 games overall. Less than an hour later, Ohtani became the first player in major league history to be picked for an All-Star Game as both a hitter and... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Major League Baseball’s number of drug tests dropped sharply during the novel coronavirus pandemic. There were 3,733 urine samples and 412 blood samples for human growth hormone testing collected during the year ending with the World Series, independent program administrator Thomas M. Martin said in his annual report Tuesday. That was down from 9,332 urine samples and 2,287 blood samples in the year ending with the 2019 World Series. “The lower testing numbers were a result of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the extended closure of the WADA-accredited anti-doping laboratory in Montreal,” Martin wrote. Spring training was interrupted in mid-March and the start of the regular season was delayed from late March until late July. Each team’s schedule was cut from 162 games to 60. There were 10 positive tests for performance-enhancing substances: two for Stanozolol (New York Mets second baseman Robinson Canó and free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara), five for Boldenone (Houston... [More]

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Domingo Leyba was suspended for 80 games on Friday following a positive test under Major League Baseball's drug program.Leyba tested positive for the performance-enhancing substance Boldenone, an anabolic steroid."We were disappointed to learn of this news and hope that Domingo will take the time away from the game to reflect on his actions and learn from his mistakes,” the Diamondbacks said in a statement. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic hit .280 with five RBIs in 21 games with the Diamondbacks last year and batted .300 with 19 homers and 77 RBIs in 112 games at Reno of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. He is considered one of Arizona's top prospects and was 4 for 16 with a home run during spring training this year.Leyba signed with Detroit in 2012 and was traded to Arizona with left-hander Robbie Ray in December 2014 as part of the three-team trade that sent shortstop Didi Gregorius from the Diamondbacks to the New York Yankees.He became the fifth player suspended this year under the major league program, three shy of last year's total. Houston pitcher Francis Martes, Pittsburgh outfielder/infielder Pablo Reyes, Colorado pitcher Justin Lawrence and free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara previously were banned for 80 games each.Three players also have been suspended this year under the minor league drug program.___More AP soccer https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Free agent pitcher Victor Alcántara was suspended for 80 games Friday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.The 26-year-old right-hander was 3-2 with a 4.85 ERA last season in 46 relief appearances for the Detroit Tigers. He became a free agent last fall after he was assigned outright to Triple-A Toledo on Oct. 24.Alcántara made his major league debut in September 2017 and was 4-3 with a 4.28 ERA in 79 games over three seasons with the Tigers.He is the fourth player suspended this year under the big league program after Houston pitcher Francis Martes, Pittsburgh outfielder/infielder Pablo Reyes and Colorado pitcher Justin Lawrence.Three players were banned 50 games each under the minor league drug program following positive tests for banned stimulants: Cincinnati catcher Edward Guzman, Seattle pitcher Kyle Hill and New York Mets outfielder Ryan Shinn. Guzman and Hill tested positive for Amphetamine... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates' Pablo Reyes was suspended 80 games on Wednesday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone.He became the second player in three days suspended for Boldenone, which is sold under the brand name Equipose and is used commonly on horses. Houston pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for the 2020 season on Monday following a positive test for Boldenone, his second violation of the major league drug program.Reyes, a 26-year-old outfielder and infielder, made his major league debut in September 2018 and hit .293 with three homers and seven RBIs in 63 plate appearances.He hit .203 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 157 plate appearances for the Pirates last year and batted .286 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 191 plate appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was on the Pirates' 40-man roster before he was designated for assignment on Jan. 9 to clear a roster spot when outfielder Guillermo Heredia was signed. Reyes was sent outright to Indianapolis on Jan. 16.Reyes did not have a statement, the players' association said.Three players have been suspended this year under the big league program. Colorado pitcher Justin Lawrence was suspended for 80 games following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT). Lawrence has yet to make his big league debut.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — The Pittsburgh Pirates' Pablo Reyes was suspended 80 games on Wednesday under the major league drug program following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug Boldenone.He became the second player in three days suspended for Boldenone, which is sold under the brand name Equipose and is used commonly on horses. Houston pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for the 2020 season on Monday following a positive test for Boldenone, his second violation of the major league drug program.Reyes, a 26-year-old outfielder and infielder, made his major league debut in September 2018 and hit .293 with three homers and seven RBIs in 63 plate appearances.He hit .203 with two homers and 19 RBIs in 157 plate appearances for the Pirates last year and batted .286 with 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 191 plate appearances at Triple-A Indianapolis. He was on the Pirates' 40-man roster before he was designated for assignment on Jan. 9 to clear a roster spot when outfielder Guillermo Heredia was signed. Reyes was sent outright to Indianapolis.Reyes did not have a statement, the players' association said.Three players have been suspended this year under the big league program. Colorado pitcher Justin Lawrence was suspended for 80 games following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT). Lawrence has yet to make his big league debut.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

NEW YORK (AP) — Houston Astros pitcher Francis Martes was suspended for the 2020 season following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing substance under baseball's major league drug program.Martes tested positive for Boldenone, the commissioner's office said Monday. Boldenone is sold under the brand name Equipose and is used commonly on horses.A 24-year-old right-hander, Martes is on the Astros' 40-man major league roster but hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2017.He was suspended last March 12 for 80 games following a positive test for Clomiphene, a women's fertility drug that has been used by some athletes to counter side effects of steroids use. Martes returned Aug. 21 and made two starts for the rookie level Gulf Coast Astros and one for Quad Cities of the Class A Midwest League. He was 0-2 with a 6.75 ERA in 5 1/3 innings.Martes' ban isn't quite the Houston-related cheating punishment fans and players have clamored for around baseball. The Astros have been pummeled... [More]

DENVER (AP) — Colorado Rockies pitcher Justin Lawrence has been suspended for 80 games under the major league drug program following a positive test for a performance-enhancing substance.The 25-year-old right-hander tested positive for Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone (DHCMT), the commissioner's office said Friday.Lawrence has been on the Rockies' 40-man roster since November 2018 and spent last season on option to the minor leagues. He has yet to make his big league debut.He began last season 1-1 with an 8.71 ERA in eight relief appearances at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he was promoted from Class A ball, then went on the injured list in late April. Lawrence was assigned to Double-A Hartford when he returned in early June and went 0-4 with a 8.78 ERA in 30 relief appearances.He was the first player suspended this year under the big league drug program.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports