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.
Key links: RP depth chart | Player Rater | Scoring leaders
10-day pitching forecaster | 10-day hitting forecaster
Sept. 11: Friday's Forecaster findings
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Over the next 10 days of play, we're almost certain to see our first significant postseason berths clinched. The Tampa Bay Rays and Milwaukee Brewers are virtual locks to assure themselves playoff berths (as a starting point) during the Sept. 11-13 weekend and several teams are within reach of celebrating during the upcoming week.
The Brewers (magic number of 5) and Los Angeles Dodgers (6) can clinch their respective divisions, and the New York Yankees (4), Dodgers (5), Atlanta Braves (8) and Boston Red Sox (9) can clinch wild-card spots, all of which seem likely to occur during fantasy's Week 24. From a player motivation standpoint, fantasy managers should prefer players from games with something on the line, and it's not uncommon for a team clinching some type of postseason berth or seeding to rest veteran players afterward, often in the game immediately following that happening.
The AL Central-leading Chicago White Sox visit the Cleveland Guardians, 1.5 games back in the division, for three games at Progressive Field from Monday through Wednesday.
The Toronto Blue Jays and Texas Rangers -- 1 and 2 games back in the AL wild-card race, respectively -- play three games at Globe Life Field from Friday through Sunday.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, 0.5 games back in the NL wild-card race, visit the Yankees, 3 games back in the AL East, from Friday through Sunday.
Fantasy managers could get boosts with the prospective returns of two injured hitters: Willson Contreras (hamstring) is on a minor league rehab stint and seems likely to be activated either at the start of or in advance of Boston's Week 24 road trip to Texas and Tampa Bay. Shea Langeliers (knee), once believed to be done for the season, is instead now on a minor league rehab stint and might begin to see some work as DH for the Athletics at some point during Week 24.
The Colorado Rockies play the entire week at Coors Field in one of only two weeks all season where they're scheduled for seven games there, and one of just four weeks played entirely at Coors. The Rockies do face a pair of talented pitching staffs in the San Diego Padres (4 games, Monday through Thursday) and Seattle Mariners (3, Friday through Sunday), but Coors' hitter-friendly confines nevertheless tilt things in favor of Rockies hitters in those matchups. Additionally, visiting Padres and Mariners hitters get to capitalize against Rockies pitching, which has baseball's worst ERA (5.50).
For the full Week 24 Forecaster, you can find all ratings, scheduling quirks and SP projections right here.
Sept. 11: Friday's news to know
By Todd Zola
After a light Thursday, everyone is in action today, with the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates kicking things off at 2:20 p.m. ET with a Wrigley Field matinee.
Corbin Carroll is expected to return to the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight. He missed the club's last two games due to a sore lower back. He went for an MRI on yesterday's off day, and it came back negative. Carroll's return is timely, with the Diamondbacks opening a series with the Texas Rangers only one-half game behind the San Diego Padres for the last NL wild-card spot.
Brandon Marsh exited Thursday afternoon's game after fouling a ball off his foot in the eighth inning. The Philadelphia Phillies open an important road series with the Atlanta Braves tonight and Marsh's status is uncertain. The Phillies are four games behind the Braves for the NL East lead.
The Washington Nationals placed Nasim Nunez on the bereavement list. He's expected to miss this weekend's home set with the Los Angeles Angels. Nunez leads the majors with 46 stolen bases.
The St. Louis Cardinals are optimistic that Masyn Winn will return to the lineup tonight when they entertain the Chicago White Sox. The slick-fielding shortstop was activated from the IL on Tuesday after recovering from a broken left thumb, but he was unable to play Wednesday because of residual soreness. After yesterday's off day, Winn is now expected to be ready to take the field.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Friday.
Sept. 10: Thursday's news to know
By Todd Zola
It's a light day in MLB, with only five games on the schedule. The Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays get things started at Truist Field at 12:15 p.m. ET. Two more afternoon games follow, then two night games.
Shohei Ohtani missed his second straight game last night and he's appeared only once in the Los Angeles Dodgers' last seven contests. The two-way star is nursing a sore knee and biceps. The club had hesitated to place him on the 15-day IL, but finally relented last night.
To replace Ohtani, the Dodgers are calling up Josue De Paula from Double-A Tulsa, who will join the team for Friday's matchup with the Miami Marlins. De Paula is No. 10 overall in Kiley McDaniel's updated 2026 MLB top 100 prospect rankings. The 21-year-old outfielder hit .303/.401/.547 with 27 homers and 31 steals in 124 games for the Drillers.
The New York Yankees will be without 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. for at least 10 days and possibly the rest of the regular season after placing him on the 10-day IL. He sprained his right thumb sliding into second base Tuesday night. The club will reportedly recall Anthony Volpe from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Along with Jose Caballero, Volpe is an option to fill in at second.
Hagen Smith is set to make his first MLB start tonight when the Chicago White Sox entertain the Pittsburgh Pirates. He is ranked No. 4 in McDaniel's updated prospect rankings. The 23-year-old left-hander has made 10 big league appearances out of the bullpen, posting a pristine 0.56 ERA and an 0.94 WHIP over 16 innings. He's averaged 34 pitches over his last four outings, so Smith won't likely pitch deep into the game.