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 8: Wednesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Wednesdays are usually getaway days with a plethora of afternoon affairs, but today there is just one, beginning at 3:45 p.m. ET with the San Francisco Giants hosting the Toronto Blue Jays in the rubber game of their three-game interleague series. The rest of the day's action resumes at 6:35 p.m. ET with the first of 14 evening contests.
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed Konnor Griffin on the 10-day IL as a result of a torn tendon in his left ring finger. He's expected to be out until at least September 1. Griffin suffered the injury on Sunday, but with an off day on Monday, the Pirates waited until yesterday to announce the move. Jared Triolo is set to see most of the action at shortstop.
The Minnesota Twins placed Byron Buxton on the 10-day IL due to a lingering right hip issue. He missed four games last week, then returned over the weekend, but had to leave Sunday's game with a recurrence of the injury. His absence will extend through the All-Star break, though no timetable has been set for his return. Ryan Kreidler and the recently recalled Alan Roden will help cover center field.
Hunter Goodman was scratched from the Colorado Rockies lineup yesterday as he's nursing a jammed wrist suffered Monday night. He was initially slated to be the DH, something he has done 24 times in addition to his 69 games behind the plate. Goodman's 358 plate appearances are fourth-highest among catcher-eligible players, with his 27 home runs leading the position and third most in MLB. He's considered to be day-to-day.
Josh Jung missed last night's game as he's still sore after fouling a ball off his knee last Saturday. He missed Sunday's contest and Monday's off day apparently wasn't sufficient to let Jung rejoin the Texas Rangers lineup last night. He's questionable for the second game of the home series against the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers grabbed the opener 8-3.
The Philadelphia Phillies will likely deploy a "bullpen game" today against the Cincinnati Reds, who are sending Chase Burns to the Great American Ball Park hill. After optioning Alan Rangel to Triple-A Lehigh Valley last week, the Phillies currently have only four starters on their roster. Even though he hasn't pitched since his last start with the Phillies, Rangel hasn't spent enough time in the minors to be recalled without using an injury exemption. The Phillies captured last night's series opener 4-1.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
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.