Phillies Release Bud Norris, Add Two To Player Pool
The Philadelphia Phillies released right-handed reliever Bud Norris and added catcher Rafael Marchan and lefty reliever Austin Davis to their player pool on Thursday. Norris was fantasy relevant in 2018 when he saved 28 games for St. Louis, but he didn't pitch in the Major Leagues last season and is a long shot to contribute anywhere in 2020. Marchan made headlines back in March with manager Joe Girardi praising the defensive ability of the 21-year-old backstop. However, his bat is way behind his glove; he hit just .261 with no homers across two levels of Single-A ball last season and he is too far down the depth chart to make an impact this season.
The Washington Nationals deal with free-agent relief pitcher Bud Norris (forearm) has fallen through. The Nats felt he was still four to five weeks away from being ready to pitch in the majors. Norris had a 3.59 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 57 2/3 innings while also recording 28 saves for the Cardinals in 2018. The veteran relief arm must get healthy before another team gives him a chance, so he's well off the fantasy radar at this time.
Bud Norris Close To Signing Minor League Deal With The Nationals
Free-agent reliever Bud Norris has reportedly agreed to a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals, pending a physical. Norris was released from his minor league contract by the Toronto Blue Jays last week. The Nationals bullpen has been a dumpster fire to start the season and Norris will look to be a calming presence. The 34-year-old has a lifetime 4.45 ERA across 10 seasons in the majors, but with Sean Doolittle locked into the closer role, Norris is only worthy of fantasy consideration in leagues that count holds.
Blue Jays Release Bud Norris From Minor League Deal
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Bud Norris was released from his minor league contract on Tuesday, reports Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Norris made three appearances with the Jays in spring training but the team kept him in extended spring training to get more work. The team was out of space on the 25-man roster after the Kevin Pillar trade on Tuesday, so they decided to release the right-hander instead. The 34-year-old has thrown 1,221 1/3 innings in his career, wracking up a 4.45 ERA and 1,153 strikeouts, while also adding 47 saves over the past two seasons with the Angels and Cardinals. Teams are continually looking for bullpen help, so Norris could land on a roster relatively shortly. However, if and when that happens, he will only carry fantasy value if he finds a situation where save opportunities are available.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Carlos Martinez and relief pitcher Bud Norris (finger) will be unavailable on Tuesday. Martinez has pitched each of the last two nights, while Norris is dealing with a blister issue and also was unavailable on Monday. St. Louis' bullpen will be short-handed Tuesday night, meaning Jordan Hicks is likely the favorite if a save situation presents itself. Martinez should continue to close games down the stretch and needs to be owned in all leagues.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris (finger) is unavailable out of the bullpen on Monday so that he can let the skin on his right middle finger heal. Norris was the closer for most of the season, but he recently lost his job while going through a rough patch while dealing with a hip injury. With Carlos Martinez the man in the ninth inning for the foreseeable future, Norris doesn't have any fantasy value.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Bud Norris took the loss on Saturday, lowering his record to 3-5. He came into the ninth inning of a tie game and issued two walks while only getting one out and allowing the game winning run to score. Norris seems to have lost his closer's job, but he was still given a significant inning in this game. Jordan Hicks and Carlos Martinez seem like the most likely candidates to pitch the next time the Cardinals have a save situation.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Bud Norris, who blew two games on Sunday and Monday, won't be available again until Friday, according to manager Mike Shildt. Shildt also hasn't confirmed that Norris will get the team's next save chance when he returns to action this weekend, leaving the door open for others. Norris will have to rebound the next chance he gets in order to hold off Jordan Hicks, Carlos Martinez and potentially Dakota Hudson in the ninth inning. Pick up Hicks if you're speculating.
St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt was non-committal on Monday when asked if closer Bud Norris would get the next save chance. Norris was hit with the loss while allowing two home runs on Sunday and blew the save when he allowed a game-tying home run in the ninth on Monday. Norris has been pretty good for fantasy owners over the course of the season, but he's faltered of late, opening up the door for Jordan Hicks to possibly see some save chances.
St. Louis Cardinals closer Bud Norris picked up his 23rd save on Wednesday, tossing a perfect ninth inning to close out a 4-2 victory over the Washington Nationals. Norris didn't issue a walk or record a strikeout, but he threw 7-of-11 pitches for strikes, inducing two fly outs. Norris dropped his ERA to 3.14 and should continue to be a solid closer down the stretch.
