Antonio Bastardo

You read that right. Jonathon Niese returns to the Mets and Antonio Bastardo returns to the Pirates in a swap of fantasy irrelevant pitchers. Niese holds a 4.91 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 110 innings this season, to go with a 76:38 K:BB ratio. Bastardo, a human walk machine, sports a nifty 4.74 ERA in 43 2/3 innings to go with a 1.42 WHIP and 46:21 K:BB ratio.

Fantasy Impact

Unless your league is giving out points for blown saves or prizes for finishing last, owners should probably leave these two pitchers banished on the waiver wire.

Antonio Bastardo was sharp in the eighth inning role by recording three strikeouts and walking one.

Fantasy Impact

Bastardo has looked sharp in his last two outings and has recorded five strikeouts in his last 2 1/3 innings. He can fill in as the setup man when the situation allows.

The Mets bolstered their bullpen by adding left-handed reliever Antonio Bastardo on a two-year, $12 million deal to serve as a setup man. He went 4-1 with 2.98 ERA and one save in 66 relief appearances with the Pittsburgh Pirates last season.

Fantasy Impact

Bastardo will join Addison Reed as the primary setup relievers for closer Jeurys Familia. He won't provide too many saves, but could slot into a time share for the closer spot, if Familia goes down with an injury.