The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on Wednesday that they signed free-agent left-hander Josh Fleming to a split one-year deal. The 27-year-old southpaw will make $850,000 if he's in the big leagues in 2024. The Pirates are planning to use him in a long-relief role, which won't give him much fantasy appeal for the rebuilding Bucs. Fleming went 2-0 in 2023 with a 4.70 ERA (5.66 FIP) and 1.45 WHIP with 19 walks and 25 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings over 12 appearances (three starts), and he has a career 4.88 ERA and 1.42 WHIP with one save and 144 strikeouts in 223 1/3 innings over 55 outings (22 starts) in four years with the Tampa Bay Rays. Elbow issues cost Fleming more than two months in 2023, and at best, he'll be a low-upside streamer in NL-only leagues if he makes any spot starts in Pittsburgh.

The Philadelphia Phillies have claimed left-hander pitcher Josh Fleming off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays. Fleming, 27, appeared in just 12 games with the Rays in 2023 and worked to a 4.70 ERA across 51 2/3 innings of work as three of his 12 outings came as starts. After tossing a healthy 2.78 ERA across 32 1/3 innings as a rookie in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, the left-hander has largely scuffled in the big leagues, including a 6.43 ERA in 35 appearances in the 2022 season. He posted a 3.06 ERA across 64 2/3 innings at the Triple-A level in 2022 but regressed to a 4.35 ERA in 31 innings at Triple-A in the 2023 campaign. All told, Fleming owns a 4.88 ERA across 55 outings (22 starts) and 223 1/3 innings in the big leagues.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming (elbow) is scheduled to visit Dr. Keith Meister next week. There appears to be additional concern here as the Rays have decided to get Fleming's elbow evaluated in person. The fear is that Fleming could be forced to have season-ending Tommy John surgery. Fantasy managers will have to stay tuned for more information after his visit with the doctor. Fleming has been decent, posting a 4.62 ERA, 1.44 WHIP in 48.7 innings with the Rays this season.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Josh Fleming is getting the nod as the starter on Sunday in the series finale against the Los Angeles Dodgers, so the Rays won't be using an opener with their bullpen being worked a lot of late. Rookie Taj Bradley was expected to get the nod on Sunday, but the Rays have pivoted to Fleming. There's a chance Bradley is moved to Monday to face the Chicago Cubs. Fleming has appeared in 10 games for the Rays this year, but he's made only two starts, going a combined 1-0 with a 3.59 ERA (4.72 FIP), 1.31 WHIP, 17 walks and 21 K's in 42 2/3 innings. He hasn't been as good in his two starts, allowing five runs on 13 hits while walking three and fanning four in eight innings, so he won't be a very popular streamer against one of the best teams in baseball.

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Josh Fleming will get the start on Wednesday against the New York Mets. Many folks were expecting either right-handed rookies Taj Bradley or Cooper Criswell to be called up to make the start. There is an opening in the starting rotation because of Drew Rasmussen's (forearm) injury. Fleming will be going on regular rest on Wednesday after last throwing four innings (52 pitches) last Friday against the New York Yankees. Bradley or Criswell could be called up to work bulk innings on Thursday, or the Rays could go with a bullpen game. Fleming was solid last week and has a 4.26 ERA (4.79 FIP), 1.42 WHIP, 14 walks and 17 strikeouts in 31 2/3 innings over eight appearances (one start).

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Josh Fleming is expected to work the bulk innings against the New York Yankees on Friday after right-hander Trevor Kelley opens up the ballgame for the Rays. For fantasy purposes, Fleming is much more attractive, albeit in a dicey matchup in the Bronx. Each of Fleming's last three appearances for Tampa have been in the bulk-reliever role. Over that span, the 26-year-old southpaw has allowed seven runs on 13 hits (two homers) while walking and eight and striking out four. That shouldn't inspire any confidence in fantasy managers to roll the dice on Fleming in his bulk outing on Friday against the Yankees. Overall, he has a 4.55 ERA (4.57 FIP), 1.48 WHIP, 13 walks and 15 K's in 27 2/3 innings pitched.

The Tampa Bay Rays are "highly confident" that southpaw Josh Fleming (foot) will pitch Sunday against the New York Yankees, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 26-year-old was forced to exit Tuesday's game after a line drive hit him on his left foot. Confirmation of Fleming's start should come on Friday after he pitches a bullpen session. The four-year vet has posted a 3.18 ERA with 14 strikeouts, a 1.32 WHIP, and no wins over six games (one start) and 22.2 innings. His fantasy value isn't anything special, considering his strikeout limitations and tendency to pitch in a piggyback role.

The Tampa Bay Rays have activated relief pitcher J.P. Feyereisen from the 10-day injured list on Monday. Feyereisen has been sidelined since July 21 with right shoulder discomfort, but was a productive member of the Rays bullpen prior to that. The right-hander started the season with the Milwaukee Brewers and between the two clubs, he has thrown to a 2.81 ERA with three saves in 42 games. In leagues that count holds, Feyereisen is worth a look. To make room for Feyereisen, the Rays have demoted pitcher Josh Fleming. Fleming has appeared in 22 games this season (11 starts) and is 10-6 with a 5.01 ERA. With rosters expanding in September, there is a good chance that he will be brought back up to the big-league squad. Even if he returns to the Rays, Fleming can be left on the waiver wire at the moment.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming allowed three hits across three scoreless innings and earned the save during Sunday's 9-0 win over the Chicago White Sox. He entered the game in the seventh inning to preserve a 6-0 lead. The southpaw threw three shutout frames to earn his first save of the season. He's now appeared out of the bullpen in his last two appearances after being used as a starter most of the season. Fleming owns a 4.71 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, and 62 strikeouts over 99 1/3 innings in 2021. The 25-year-old can be left on the waiver wire in most league formats as he continues to shift between the Rays bullpen and starting rotation in 2021.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming (10-6) allowed two earned runs on six hits and one walk while striking out two across five 2/3 innings during Monday's 9-2 victory over the Baltimore Orioles. He picked up his 10th win of the season. The southpaw bounced back on Monday after surrendering 10 earned runs in his previous outing. Fleming worked behind an opener and limited the Orioles to two runs to earn his 10th win of the year. The 25-year-old owns a 4.86 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and 5.8 K/9 across 96 1/3 innings in 2021. Fleming is expected to work behind an opener the rest of the season, thus limiting his fantasy appeal. The Rays left-hander will be used as a primary pitcher in this weekend's series against the Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers in most leagues can move on from Fleming if they haven't done so already.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming (9-6) allowed 10 earned runs on 11 hits and six walks while striking out three across 3 1/3 innings in Wednesday's 20-8 loss against the Red Sox. He couldn't get on track at any point during Wednesday's loss and was lit up for 10 runs on 11 hits before exiting after 81 pitches. The southpaw yielded a season-high six walks and surrendered 10 hits or more for the second time this season. Fleming owns a 4.96 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, and a 60:28 across 90 2/3 innings in 2021. The 25-year-old will look for better results in Tuesday's home start against the Baltimore Orioles.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming (9-5) allowed two earned runs on five hits while striking out six across five innings to earn the win during Wednesday's 4-3 victory over the Seattle Mariners. He was sharp in Wednesday's win; the southpaw didn't walk anyone and has now struck out at least six batters in back-to-back starts. The 25-year-old threw 79 pitches, firing 49 for strikes. Fleming owns a 4.12 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 57:22 K: BB across 87 1/3 innings in 2021. The Rays left-hander has pitched well recently and should be rostered in deep-league formats. Fleming will look to keep things rolling in Wednesday's start against the Boston Red Sox.

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Josh Fleming (8-5) allowed three runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out seven across five innings to earn the win in Friday's 7-3 victory over the Red Sox. It wasn't precisely Fleming's sharpest performance, but he was able to limit Boston to three runs over five innings to earn his eighth victory of the season. The southpaw completed at least five innings for the time since June 19. He threw 99 pitches, landing 59 for strikes. Fleming owns a 4.15 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and a 51:22 K: BB across 82 1/3 innings in 2021. The 25-year-old remains a solid option in deep-league formats and can be used as a streamer in his next start against Seattle on Wednesday.