Rangers Add Juan Nicasio, Edinson Volquez To Camp Roster
The Texas Rangers added right-handed pitchers Juan Nicasio and Edinson Volquez to their summer camp roster as non-roster players on Thursday. Their summer camp squad currently sits at 57 players. Nicasio, 34 in August, made 47 relief appearances for the Phillies last year and had a 4.75 ERA, 1.65 WHIP, 8.6 K/9 and one save in 47 1/3 frames. He has some starting experience as well, making 82 starts in his career, but he hasn't started a game since 2016 with Pittsburgh. Both players will strictly be veteran depth in 2020. Volquez, 37 on Friday, missed all of 2018 with an injury and had a 6.75 ERA and 2.00 WHIP in 11 games (four starts) with Texas last year. He was planning on retiring after the 2019 season, but he's had a change of heart.
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Juan Nicasio (groin) has been placed on the 10-day injured list on Thursday. Nicasio is dealing with a left groin strain, so he could be looking at longer than 10 days sidelined. The Phillies bullpen has been destroyed by injuries this season. Left-hander Austin Davis has been recalled in a corresponding move. He has not pitched well, so Davis has no fantasy relevance.
Juan Nicasio, Chris Herrmann Activated From Disabled List Monday
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Juan Nicasio (knee) and catcher Chris Hermann (oblique) were activated from the disabled list on Monday. In a corresponding move, the Mariners sent pitcher Rob Whalen and catcher David Freitas down to Triple-A Tacoma. Herrmann will take his place as Mike Zuninos primary backup, but fantasy value may eventually lie with Nicasio in deeper leagues. His ERA stands at an ugly 5.34, but the reliever does own an outstanding 37/2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 28 2/3 innings pitched. That said, he should be left on the waiver until he proves himself a reliable option in the Mariners bullpen.
Seattle Mariners relief pitcher Juan Nicasio (knee) has been placed on the 10-day disabled list on Friday. Nicasio was roughed up his last outing on Wednesday, so this injury could've been part of the reason. Nicasio is posting a 5.34 ERA, but has a 37/2 K/BB ratio this season. Most fantasy owners can find better options, because Nicasio is not likely worth hanging onto through the injury.
Free-agent relief pitcher Juan Nicasio has signed a two-year deal with the Seattle Mariners, first reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Earlier Wednesday, Jim Bowden said that the Mariners were "in the red zone" to acquire a free-agent relief pitcher, though it is not entirely clear whether Nicasio is the guy. The 31-year-old right-hander led the National League in appearances in 2017, delivering a strong 2.61 ERA, 1.078 WHIP and 72/20 K/BB ratio in 72 1/3 innings between the Pirates and Cardinals. He served as the primary closer in St. Louis down the stretch and will be in a battle with Edwin Diaz for the closer's role in Seattle.
Free agent relief pitcher Juan Nicasio has been a hot name today and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that the Mariners and Cardinals are "vying" for his services. Jim Bowden tweeted earlier that the Mariners were "in the red zone" for a reliever and that Nicasio is a "strongly rumored possibility," but it seems the Cardinals are making a play to keep the 31-year-old right-hander, who served as their primary closer down the stretch this past season. Nicasio led all National League relievers in appearances in 2017 while putting up a 2.61 ERA, 1.078 WHIP, and 72/20 K/BB ratio in 72 1/3 innings between Pittsburgh and St. Louis.
Free agent reliever Juan Nicasio is a "strongly rumored possibility" for the Mariners according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM. Bowden says the Mariners are "in the red zone" to acquire a free agent relief pitcher, though it is not entirely clear whether Nicasio is the guy. The 31-year-old right-hander led the National League in appearances in 2017, delivering a strong 2.61 ERA, 1.078 WHIP, and 72/20 K/BB ratio in 72 1/3 innings between the Pirates and Cardinals. He served as the primary closer in St. Louis down the stretch.
Free-agent relief pitchers Brandon Kintzler and Juan Nicasio are hot names on the free-agent market and LaVelle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Minnesota Twins have met with the representatives for both pitchers. The Twins are obviously very familiar with Kintzler, who Neal writes is "very open to a return." The 33-year-old served as Minnesota's closer this past season before being traded to the Nationals at the July 31 deadline. Nicasio does not have as much closing experience as Kintzler, but he put up an excellent 2.61 ERA in 76 appearances this past season. The back end of the Twins bullpen is unsettled, so either of these pitchers could end up saving games.
Free-agent relief pitcher Juan Nicasio is being recruited by many teams, and Tyler Kepner of the New York Times reports that the New York Mets have shown interest in Nicasio. The Mets have been all over the relief market, so at this point it might be more helpful to list the names they are not considering. Nicasio would be a nice addition, depending on the price tag. The 31-year-old led the National League with 76 appearances this past season while posting a 2.61 ERA and 72/20 K/BB ratio over 72 1/3 innings. The Cardinals recently signed Luke Gregerson, but they could still be interested in bringing Nicasio back.
St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Juan Nicasio is unlikely to re-sign with the Cardinals within the exclusive negotiating window. The two sides reportedly had some conversations, but nothing meaningful came out of them. Instead, Nicasio will become a free agent and could sign with any team. The Cardinals will reportedly still be interested in re-signing him, potentially as a closer option for 2018. Nicasio could have some nice fantasy value if he lands a ninth inning role somewhere this offseason.
