Everything that happens in and around MLB has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy baseball perspective. From lineup changes to minor league call-ups to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy baseball.
Our fantasy baseball buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around MLB.
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August 24: What you need to know for Sunday
Todd Zola: A pair of early games kick off today’s action. First, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Colorado Rockies at 12:05 p.m.. Five minutes later, the Tampa Bay Rays entertain the St. Louis Cardinals. The ESPN Sunday night affair features the New York Yankees trying to avoid a rare four-game sweep at home as they face the Boston Red Sox.
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For just the second time in his 13-year career, Marcus Semien requires a visit to the injured list. The durable second baseman was slated to be examined yesterday after he fouled a ball off his foot on Friday, but the Texas Rangers didn’t wait for the results, placing Semien on the 10-day IL. Cody Freeman covered the keystone yesterday, though Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith may help fill in. · Yesterday, the San Diego Padres finally placed Jackson Merrill on the 10-day IL. He missed the five previous games with a sprained left ankle. Ramon Laureano should remain the center fielder with Gavin Sheets garnering more action. Sheets was on the bench a lot after the club acquired Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn at the trade deadline.
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Brandon Nimmo missed his third straight game last night as he’s nursing a sore neck. Starling Marte has filled in as the New York Mets left fielder. Nimmo’s status for today’s road date with the Atlanta Braves is unclear. The club has also been without Luis Torrens for three games as the starting backstop is dealing with left hand soreness. He’s also questionable for today, with Hayden Senger in line to garner another start behind the plate.
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The Milwaukee Brewers’ middle infield is already down a man with shortstop Joey Ortiz, and now they may be without his double-play partner. Brice Turang missed last night’s contest after being hit by a pitch in the wrist on Friday. Chad Durbin shifted from third base to second base with Anthony Seigler backfilling the hot corner. If Turang can’t take the field today at home against the San Francisco Giants, look for the same arrangement.
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Victor Robles was back in action for the Seattle Mariners last night. He has been out since early April with a fractured shoulder. Robles was handed a 10-game suspension for throwing his bat at the pitcher during a minor league rehab game, but he’s appealing and is eligible to play until MLB hears his case.
Aug. 23: What you need to know for Saturday
Todd Zola: There are only two afternoon games on the docket, beginning with the Boston Red Sox visiting the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET. By taking the first two games of the four-game set in the Bronx, the Red Sox are half a game ahead of the Yankees for the top wild-card spot in the American League.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks enjoyed a boost to the lineup Friday night with the return of Gabriel Moreno. The veteran catcher was out for over two months with a broken finger. Moreno was 2-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs in the 6-5, 11-inning win over the Cincinnati Reds.
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Jacob Wilson returned to the Athletics lineup Friday night after missing almost a month with a left forearm fracture. The AL Rookie of the Year candidate was 1-for-4 with an RBI in a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Mariners.
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Injuries continue to mount for the Baltimore Orioles. Jordan Westburg and Adley Rutschman joined Tyler O’Neill on the 10-day IL earlier in the week, and Friday night, Coby Mayo was hit by a 97 mph fastball in the ninth inning in a 10-7 loss to the Houston Astros. Initial X-rays were negative, and Mayo is slated for further evaluation Saturday. He’s considered day-to-day.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates promoted top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler in advance of Friday night’s home date with the Colorado Rockies. He piggybacked Braxton Ashcroft in the 9-0 win. Chandler tossed four scoreless frames, fanning three while being credited with a save. The solid debut is encouraging considering that Chandler struggled at Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 7.42 ERA and 1.99 WHIP over his previous six outings, spanning 26⅔ innings. He’s slated to continue to work out of the bullpen, at least in the short term.
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The Texas Rangers are expected to activate Adolis Garcia from the 10-day IL before Saturday’s home tilt with the Cleveland Guardians. The outfielder missed 10 games with a sprained left ankle. This is the second straight down season for Garcia. After posting a .684 OPS last year, he spent the offseason reworking his swing, and early results were positive. However, his .654 OPS is even worse than last season’s career-low level.
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Garcia will essentially switch places with Evan Carter, as the 22-year-old outfielder is back on the 10-day IL, this time with a broken right wrist. Manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Carter could be out for the season.
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The Milwaukee Brewers will be without Joey Ortiz for at least 10 days. The infielder was placed on the injured list with a low-grade strained hamstring. Andruw Monasterio and Anthony Seigler will garner more action in Ortiz’s absence.
Aug. 22: What you need to know for Friday
Zola: Tonight’s full slate begins at 6:40 p.m. ET with the Colorado Rockies visiting the Pittsburgh Pirates. It appears that Mother Nature will cooperate everywhere — though things can change at this time of year, especially in southeastern cities like like Tampa Bay and Atlanta.
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Speaking of Atlanta, the Braves will be without Austin Riley for the rest of the season as he required season-ending surgery for an abdominal strain. Riley is expected to be ready for spring training. Nacho Alvarez Jr. is slated to garner most of the action at the hot corner.
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Adley Rutschman was placed on the 10-day IL due to a right oblique strain. Earlier in the season, the Baltimore Orioles backstop missed over a month as a result of a strained left oblique, but the current issue isn’t as severe. The club hopes Rutschman will return in early September. Sam Basallo is earmarked for more action behind the plate, sharing duties with Alex Jackson. Basallo, one of the top prospects in baseball, just inked an eight-year, $67 million extension.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers anticipate the return of Shohei Ohtani to their lineup tonight when they open an important series in Petco Park against the San Diego Padres. Ohtani missed yesterday’s contest one day after being hit by a comebacker while pitching.
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The Boston Red Sox placed Wilyer Abreu on the 10-day IL due to a sore right calf. He incurred the injury last Sunday and has not played since. Ceddanne Rafaela has moved back to the outfield, while Romy Gonzalez and the recently recalled David Hamilton are covering the keystone. The club also promoted Jhostynxon “The Password” Garcia to fill the open roster spot. Garcia is a 22-year-old outfielder with a .303/.367/.564 line at Triple-A Worcester. It’s unclear how much the right-handed batter will play, but the Red Sox are slated to face southpaws Max Fried tonight and Carlos Rodon on Sunday as they continue their four-game set with the New York Yankees.
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The Tampa Bay Rays will promote Carson Williams in advance of tonight’s home tilt with the St. Louis Cardinals. Ha-Seong Kim is back on the 10-day IL, so Williams is ticketed to be the team’s regular shortstop. He was batting only .213/.318/.447 with Triple-A Durham, but the 22-year-old right-handed hitter also slugged 23 homers while swiping 22 bases. His 34.1% strikeout rate clearly needs work, but his 12.4% walk rate suggests it’s not due to excessive chasing.