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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July 6: Monday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's eight-game slate gets underway with an interleague affair at 2:10 p.m. ET between the Philadelphia Phillies and Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. The other seven contests are all evening affairs.
Salvador Perez returned to the Royals' lineup on Sunday. He had missed the previous two games while nursing a sore elbow.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is considered to be day-to-day after being diagnosed with right big toe discomfort. He left Sunday's game in the sixth inning after fouling a ball off his foot in the previous frame. Amed Rosario and Jose Caballero could see more action if Chisholm misses additional time.
Dustin May has been cleared to start today's opener of the big five-game series between the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers at Busch Stadium. The righty was hit on the ankle by a comebacker last Thursday and left the game after throwing only 34 pitches. He'll be working on just three days of rest, but the Cardinals hope he can go deep into the game since the NL Central combatants play a twin bill on Tuesday.
After missing Saturday's contest due to soreness in the biceps, Shohei Ohtani was back in the Los Angeles Dodgers' lineup yesterday, batting leadoff and serving as the team's DH. He went 1-for-3 with an RBI in the Dodgers' 5-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. His next start as a pitcher could be in the weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, but there is no indication if Los Angeles will stick to that schedule.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.
July 5: Sunday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's slate gets underway at 12:30 p.m. ET with the Atlanta Braves hosting the New York Mets. As a holiday weekend treat, there is a pair of evening affairs, beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers entertaining the San Diego Padres at 7:20 p.m., followed by the Los Angeles Angels taking on the Boston Red Sox at 9:30 p.m. in Anaheim.
Brandon Woodruff left last night's game after just 3⅔ innings. He yielded three runs on two hits while fanning six. After the game, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed that Woodruff was diagnosed with an inflamed labrum in his right shoulder and is headed for an extended stint on the 15-day IL. The Brewers have eight games next week, but Robert Gasser can be called up from Triple-A as the 27th man during the Tuesday doubleheader, and Logan Henderson is set to come off the IL next week.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is optimistic that Shohei Ohtani will return to the lineup today in his usual designated hitter capacity. He missed yesterday's game after experiencing right bicep discomfort on Friday night.
After missing four games, Byron Buxton was back in center field and batting second for the Minnesota Twins yesterday. He enjoyed a 1-for-3 game with a walk, run scored and a pair of RBIs in the Twins' 11-4 win over the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
The Athletics' lineup received a boost yesterday with the return of Zack Gelof. Tyler Soderstrom remains on the injured list, and Shea Langeliers is day-to-day, but at least they have their starting third baseman back.
The Texas Rangers also got some help with the return of Brandon Nimmo. The right fielder was sidelined for four games with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford continue to be on the shelf, but their cleanup hitter is back in action.
Cade Cavalli will take the hill for the Washington Nationals today. He was initially scheduled to pitch tomorrow, but he's swapping rotation spots with Miles Mikolas. Cavalli was suspended seven games for his role in the altercation with the Boston Red Sox last week, but he's appealing the ruling and allowed to pitch until his hearing.