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 7: Tuesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
It's "Two-for-Tuesday" with a doubleheader on today's 16-game slate. Action gets underway at 2:15 p.m. ET with the St. Louis Cardinals hosting the Milwaukee Brewers in the opener of a day-night twin bill at Busch Stadium. The rest of the schedule gets underway at 6:35 p.m. with an interleague affair between the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs at Camden Yards.
The Orioles-Cubs contest, as well as another interleague matchup between the Washington Nationals and Houston Astros at nearby Nationals Park, may have to deal with heavy rain in the region. It might be prudent to remove players in those games from your lineups.
The Brewers are set to promote prospect Luis Lara in advance of today's action. He's not joining the club as the 27th man, but rather to fortify the offense after posting a .324/.436/.474 line with Triple-A Nashville through 78 games, adding 24 steals. The 21-year-old outfielder signed a seven-year, $31 million contract extension last month. He's a switch-hitter and can handle all three spots in the outfield, but his role is unclear. Jackson Chourio and Garrett Mitchell are playing well in left and center field, so perhaps Lara will be on the less busy side of a right-field platoon with lefty-swinging Sal Frelick.
The Brewers may need to make another move with David Hamilton leaving last night's game due to a hamstring issue. Joey Ortiz is the only reserve infielder on the roster capable of playing second base, shortstop and third base. If Hamilton needs to miss more action, Ortiz will man the hot corner, leaving the club with no bench coverage up the middle.
German Marquez will start tonight's home game for the San Diego Padres against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He isn't stretched out as much as a traditional starter but will serve as more than a typical opener. Jhony Brito will reportedly be called up from Triple-A El Paso to piggyback with Marquez. Brito missed last season following internal brace surgery on his elbow. After rehabbing in the lower minors, Brito made four starts for Triple-A El Paso prior to his recall, posting a 0.96 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with 19 strikeouts and just two free passes over 18 2/3 innings.
George Springer rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday after missing four games while on the paternity and then family emergency list, but he didn't play last night. He'll likely be the DH tonight when the Blue Jays visit the San Francisco Giants.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday.
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.