Daniel Bard DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Free-agent right-handed reliever Daniel Bard threw for around 10 MLB teams a week ago and is drawing significant interest, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. Bard is particularly drawing attention from some Western division contenders in both the American and National League despite missing all of last year with an elbow injury. The 39-year-old veteran has apparently made a full recovery after having flexor-tendon surgery in April of 2024 on his right elbow. If Bard does latch on with an MLB team in 2025, he'd be unlikely to be in contention for save opportunities, especially if it's with a contending team. The former first-rounder (28th overall) by the Boston Red Sox in 2006 out of North Carolina has 66 career saves in nine major-league seasons. Bard had a 4.56 ERA, a 1.70 WHIP, one save, 47 strikeouts and 49 walks in 49 1/3 relief innings for the Colorado Rockies in 2023.

Free-agent right-handed reliever Daniel Bard (elbow) plans to start throwing off a mound in early February and signing with a team in April, with the goal of pitching not long after that. Bard did not make a single appearance in the big leagues in 2024 after having flexor-tendon surgery on his right elbow back in April. Despite the injury, the 39-year-old veteran plans on signing with a team for the 2025 campaign, although it remains to be seen where he'll land or how effective he'll be. In his last season in 2023 with the Colorado Rockies, Bard struggled with efficiency and finished with a 4.56 ERA (6.13 FIP), a 1.70 WHIP, one save, 47 strikeouts and 49 walks in 49 1/3 relief innings. Given the fact he didn't pitch at all last year, Bard will most likely have to settle for a minor-league contract. He'll be a long shot to have much fantasy value in 2025 if he makes it back.

Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Daniel Bard (knee, elbow) had a setback rehabbing and will undergo season-ending right flexor tendon surgery. After recently throwing off a mound, the banged-up Bard's season suddenly ends before it even begins while also recovering from a cleanup procedure on his left knee. The 38-year-old veteran right-hander is a free agent following the 2024 campaign, and it's unlikely that he'll draw very much interest after walking more batters (49) than he struck out (47) a season ago. Bard spent seven years away from the major leagues before latching on with Colorado in 2020. Justin Lawrence and Tyler Kinley are the names to watch for fantasy purposes for saves-needy managers, but Lawrence has yielded seven runs across five appearances, and Kinley has given up eight runs over six innings thus far.