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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June 29: Tuesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
The fireworks planned for this weekend may get an early start thanks to the high temperatures and wind blowing out in just about every open-air venue on tonight's 15-game schedule. Action gets underway at 6:35 p.m. ET in Camden Yards with the Baltimore Orioles entertaining the Chicago White Sox.
Teoscar Hernandez returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup last night, going 2-for-5 with a run scored and three strikeouts in the 9-4 road win over the Athletics. Hernandez had missed a month due to a hamstring strain but is back and reinstalled as the team's regular left fielder. Alex Call and Tommy Edman were the main substitutes while Hernandez was out.
The Cincinnati Reds indicated that Dane Myers was sent to the hospital for further evaluation after he made an outstanding running catch then ran full speed into the outfield wall, with his shoulder crashing into the fence. He was carted off the field, with on-site X-rays coming back negative. With Blake Dunn already on the 10-day IL due to a right elbow sprain, TJ Friedl lines up for the majority of action in center field, beginning tonight on the road against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Byron Buxton's availability for tonight's meeting between the Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros is unclear after he missed last night's series opener as a result of a right hip impingement. He underwent an MRI and is set for follow-up evaluation today. The Twins are hopeful that the issue isn't serious.
The Astros were also missing a key player for last night's contest, with Jeremy Pena out with a mild left calf strain. After the game, he was placed on the 10-day IL, with manager Joe Espada optimistic it will be a minimum visit. Other injuries have limited Pena to only 48 games so far, but he is batting .295/.356/.443 with eight steals.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. will need to clear the league's concussion protocol before returning to action for the New York Yankees. He took a forearm to the head while he and Jasson Dominguez were tracking a shallow pop-up to right field. Amed Rosario, Jose Caballero, and Oswaldo Cabrera are candidates to cover the keystone while Chisholm is out.
Brandon Pfaadt will be recalled prior to tonight's matchup between the Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants in the desert. Injuries to Michael Soroka and Ryne Nelson opened a spot in the rotation for Pfaadt, who will take the hill tonight. After struggling as both a starter and reliever to open the season, the righty was sent to Triple-A Reno where he posted a 1.80 ERA and an 0.80 WHIP over three starts, albeit in just 10 innings. His pitch counts have been in the 50s since he is being stretched back out after working as a reliever immediately prior to his demotion. He's still not fully stretched out, but should manage at least four frames tonight.
Brandon Nimmo is questionable for the Texas Rangers tonight when they try to make it two in a row on the road over the Cleveland Guardians. He missed last night's 6-3 victory due to a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder after hitting the right field wall following a catch to end Sunday's game. Manager Skip Schumaker reported that Nimmo will undergo more imaging today, then the club will decide if he requires an IL stint. Ezequiel Duran and Cameron Cauley could garner an uptick in playing time if Nimmo misses more action.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday.
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June 29: Monday's news to know
By Todd Zola
It's a busy Monday with 13 evening affairs. The Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, and Tampa Bay Rays are all enjoying an off day. Action gets underway at 6:35 p.m. ET with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Chicago White Sox.
Elly De La Cruz sprained his ankle yesterday while running to first base but stayed in and finished the game. Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona indicated that De La Cruz will be examined today, with his status for tonight's road matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers to be determined. The Reds will also reevaluate Eugenio Suarez after he was hit in the left hand by a pitch in yesterday's 9-4 defeat to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Initial X-rays were inconclusive.
The Texas Rangers exchanged outfielders, with Evan Carter getting activated from the 10-day IL, taking the place of Wyatt Langford, who was placed on the 10-day IL. Langford will likely be out through the All-Star break due to a strained hamstring. Carter had missed almost two weeks thanks to an oblique injury.
Chase DeLauter returned to the lineup for the Cleveland Guardians yesterday, two weeks after he was diagnosed with a right rib cage fracture. The club decided he didn't need a rehab assignment after going through a full workout, including taking batting practice on Saturday.
The Brewers have 18 games in the next 17 days heading into the All-Star break, so they'll be using a six-man rotation, beginning tonight with Robert Gasser rejoining the starting corps. The southpaw has had a strong June, posting a 3.74 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP with 24 strikeouts and just six walks over 21 2/3 innings.
Willy Adames left Sunday's game in the eighth inning due to a lower back issue. He's been playing through back spasms for a week and has also been sick with the flu. Adames is considered to be day-to-day ahead of tonight's series opener with the Arizona Diamondbacks in the desert.