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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May 20: Wednesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's full slate gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET with the rubber game of the series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds at Citizens Bank Park. Look for a high-scoring game with the game-time temperatures in the mid 90s. Fourteen more games are staggered throughout the afternoon and early evening, commencing in Anaheim with the third game of a four-game set between the Los Angeles Angels and the Athletics. The sides have split the first two contests.
As expected, Ronald Acuna Jr. returned to the Atlanta Braves lineup last night, going 1-for-4 with two walks and three runs, keying an 8-4 win over the Miami Marlins. He led off and served as the DH, with Mauricio Dubon playing left field in the victory.
The Marlins will reportedly option Braxton Garrett to Triple-A Jacksonville today. After a disastrous debut last week, Garrett yielded two runs in three frames in the loss to the Braves, walking three with two strikeouts. It's noteworthy that Marlins' top pitching prospect Thomas White was scratched from his start tonight, though there is no official confirmation that he'll be promoted in a corresponding move.
The Minnesota Twins will be without C Ryan Jeffers for six-to-eight weeks after he was diagnosed with a broken left hamate bone. Victor Caratini will see most of the action behind the plate, with Alex Jackson handling backup duties. The club also optioned former first overall pick Royce Lewis to Triple-A St. Paul yesterday. Orlando Arcia was called up in the corresponding move, though Tristan Gray will probably man the hot corner. Lewis was batting just .163/.261/.279 over 31 games.
The New York Mets are set to promote Zach Thornton to start tonight's road affair with the Washington Nationals. He'll fill the rotation spot vacated when Clay Holmes was placed on the 15-day IL due to a broken leg. Jonah Tong and Jack Wenninger are considered to be better prospects, but Thornton has been effective for Triple-A Syracuse, posting a 2.25 ERA and an 0.92 WHIP with 13 strikeouts in 12 innings. If he pitches well, Thornton has a chance to stay in the rotation even when Kodai Senga returns early next month.
Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays left last night's game in the eighth inning after getting hit by a pitch that got fingers on both of his hands. His status for today's matinee with the Baltimore Orioles is uncertain. Diaz is enjoying a typically productive season, batting .316/.394/.506.
After leaving Monday's game due to a thumb injury, Willy Adames of the San Francisco Giants was in the lineup last night and went deep for the second straight game. After a slow start, Adames has hit.314/.342/.457 so far this month.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
May 19: Tuesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Tuesday's usual all-evening slate gets a slightly early start with a 4:10 p.m. ET affair between the Miami Marlins and Atlanta Braves. The remaining 14 contests are under the lights, beginning at 6:40 p.m. ET with three more games.
After previously indicating that Ronald Acuna Jr. might not be activated from the 10-day IL until Friday since the club wanted to avoid him playing on turf at loanDepot Park, the Braves reversed course and added him to their 26-man roster last night. He didn't play in the first game of the set with the Marlins but is expected to be in the lineup today. Acuna's return is timely, as the Braves placed C Drake Baldwin on the 10-day IL with an oblique strain. The cause and severity are unclear, but oblique injuries, especially for catchers, tend to result in an extended absence. Sean Murphy recently returned to the IL, leaving Sandy Leon and Chadwick Tromp to handle duties behind the plate.
Minnesota Twins C Ryan Jeffers left last night's game in the eighth inning due to a sprained wrist suffered while taking a swing. He's slated for testing today, after which his status will be determined. Jeffers is enjoying a career year with a .295/.408/.541 line. Victor Caratini would fill in behind the plate if Jeffers is sidelined.
It was a rough Monday night for the San Francisco Giants, with starting pitcher Robbie Ray leaving the game after being hit by a comebacker, although his removal likely had more to do with him yielding nine earned runs (10 total) with 11 hits and two walks while fanning just one over 4 1/3 innings. The Giants fell 12-2 to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee also suffered injuries last night, with a bruised thumb rendering Adames questionable for tonight and Lee expected to be on the bench thanks to a sore back.
Jacob Young was diagnosed with a bruised rib after being hit by a pitch last night. He's considered to be day-to-day. The Washington Nationals will reportedly call up Dylan Crews before tonight's matchup with the New York Mets. He's posted a .258/.345/.432 line for Triple-A Rochester after failing to make the club in the spring. It's not clear where he'll play, but Crews can handle center field if Young misses action.
Boston Red Sox OF Ceddanne Rafaela missed last night's game due to a tight hamstring. He was treated for the injury yesterday, with the expectation that he will return to the lineup for tonight's road date with the Kansas City Royals. Jarren Duran covered center field last night, with Masataka Yoshida making a rare appearance in left.
May 18: Emerson's prospects in Seattle look good
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Colt Emerson was finally promoted to the Seattle Mariners over the weekend. He had previously signed an eight-year, $95 million contract with the Mariners on April 1, a move that made it a matter of "when" and not "if" he'd be promoted.
Emerson's minor league numbers were not all that impressive, as he hit a mere .255/.347/.469 with seven home runs and 10 stolen bases in his 38 games for Triple-A Tacoma, but he has a very balanced skill set, with above-average contact, plate discipline, power and speed.
He'll probably handle third base until at least the point that Brendan Donovan returns from his groin injury, but Emerson will almost assuredly find regular time either there or at his natural position of shortstop thereafter. That means he'll likely earn dual eligibility quickly, with a chance at a top-10 fantasy point total at either/both spots.
*Be sure to check out Tristan's full list of waiver wire recommendations for this week.