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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Sept. 15: Tuesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
All 15 of today's games will be contested under the lights. Action gets underway with a quartet of 6:40 p.m. ET starts.
Miami Marlins closer Pete Fairbanks left last night's game after throwing just six pitches. The reason isn't official, but Marlins manager Clayton McCullough indicated that Fairbanks experienced a similar feeling to when he was diagnosed with medial nerve irritation -- a lingering condition that he's already suffered twice this season and requires an IL stint. If that is indeed the case, he'd be done for the season.
Spencer Miles is slated to be the bulk reliever for the Toronto Blue Jays tonight when they host the Detroit Tigers. He has served in many roles this season, including as an opener and a traditional starter, but he hasn't tossed more than 50 pitches in any single outing since late July. Miles' last appearance was on Saturday, when he opened the game, logging 44 pitches over two innings.
The Tigers could be without Colt Keith for tonight's tilt at the Rogers Centre. The infielder was scratched from the series opener last night due to a sore left thumb. He's scheduled for further evaluation today, after which his status for tonight and beyond should be clarified.
Michael Soroka and Zac Gallen will tag-team tonight's mound duties for the Arizona Diamondbacks when they face the Marlins in the desert. It doesn't appear to be a traditional opener/primary pitcher scenario, nor is it piggybacking, as Soroka is expected to handle a normal starter's workload, then have Gallen come in from the bullpen. Both veterans recently returned from the 15-day IL, but manager Torey Lovullo feels that Soroka has more swing-and-miss potential.
Kyle Freeland is set to come off the 15-day IL and start tonight's NL West tilt between the Colorado Rockies and the San Diego Padres at Coors Field. He's been out just over three weeks because of a finger issue. The lefty made one rehab start, compiling just 47 pitches for Double-A Hartford, so he'll likely be on a pitch count this evening.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday.
Sept. 14: Monday's news to know
By Todd Zola
There are ten evening affairs which comprise today's abbreviated slate. Action gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET with a pair of contests.
One of the early games features the Chicago White Sox visiting the Cleveland Guardians. The White Sox will open the divisional affair with lefty Sean Newcomb before tagging in righty Sean Burke. Lefty-swinging Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter are generally in the upper third of the Guardians order. Newcomb is significantly more effective when facing left-handers, while Burke's OPS versus lefties is almost 100 points higher than it is facing righties. The White Sox enter the three-game series with a one-game lead over the Guardians in the AL Central.
The Guardians will counter with Gavin Williams, who will be taking the hill after seven days of rest. He's not hurt -- the club simply opted to give him extra time between starts. His pitch counts have been running high, in part due to 11 double-digit strikeout games this season, including his last two and three of his previous four.
Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that Freddie Freeman would miss tonight's series opener with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The veteran first baseman has been nursing a lingering knee injury. He will likely receive multiple maintenance days over the final two weeks of the regular season. Enrique Hernandez is the primary candidate to handle first base when Freeman is on the bench.
Royce Lewis left yesterday's contest in the top of the sixth inning due to a sore left shoulder. Playing first base has kept the oft-injured infielder relatively healthy and productive. He's considered to be day-to-day heading into tonight's action as the Minnesota Twins host the New York Yankees.
Somewhat abruptly, the San Francisco Giants announced that Rafael Devers has been placed on the 60-day IL and is slated for season-ending surgery to address a core muscle injury. He'll end the year batting .258/.340/.525 with 37 home runs, one shy of his career-high.
The Colorado Rockies open a 10-game homestand tonight against the San Diego Padres. It's their longest stretch at Coors Field for the season and marks one of the few weeks where they play seven home games during a single fantasy scoring period.
The Miami Marlins will be without Owen Caissie for at least 10 days -- and possibly the season -- after placing him on the 10-day IL as a result of a lumbar stress reaction. Contact remains troubling for the outfielder as his 37.3% strikeout rate fueled a .220/.288/.412 line. Esteury Ruiz will likely see additional playing time. Caissie's roster spot was filled by Xavier Edwards, who returned from the IL and will be reinserted as the team's regular second baseman.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.
Sept. 13: Sunday's news to know
By Todd Zola
It's another early Sunday start with the Detroit Tigers entertaining the Colorado Rockies at 12:10 p.m. ET. The usual 13 matinees follow, with the San Francisco Giants hosting the San Diego Padres in the evening affair.
The rubber game between the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park has been moved from 1:35 p.m. ET to 3:05 p.m. ET to avoid early afternoon storms in the area. The Royals could have Jac Caglianone returning to the starting lineup after he was able to pinch-hit in yesterday's contest. The slugger had missed the previous five games due to a left flexor strain.
The Minnesota Twins promoted top prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez in advance of yesterday's home date with the Cleveland Guardians. He responded by delivering a homer in his first career plate appearance. The 23-year-old outfielder generated a .262/.414/.500 line in his 49 games with Triple-A St. Paul. Rodriguez will likely play regularly down the stretch, but will also maintain 2027 rookie status.
The Texas Rangers lineup received a boost after the team activated Josh Jung from the IL. He's been out since just after the All-Star break thanks to a strained calf. Jung's return is timely as the Rangers sit just two games behind the Houston Astros for the AL West lead. They're also in play for the third AL wild card. Jung is batting .295/.362/.440, albeit in just 93 games.
The Athletics are playing out the string, but they'll be doing it with catcher Shea Langeliers serving as the team's DH. He underwent meniscus surgery in July, but the recovery went well. Even so, Langeliers isn't expected to play behind the plate again this season.
The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without Esmerlyn Valdez for at least 10 days and possibly the rest of the season, after placing him on the IL due to a left hamstring strain. The outfielder has emerged as one of the club's top run producers over the second half, though he'd been struggling lately. Even so, Valdez clubbed three homers and a double over his last 11 games, helping soften a 39% strikeout rate and a .154 average over that span.