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
May 21: Thursday's news to know
By Todd Zola
More than half of the league is off today, with the first of seven games getting underway at 1:10 p.m. ET when the Detroit Tigers will attempt to avoid being swept at home by the Cleveland Guardians. Cleveland, the AL Central leaders, have captured the first three games of the series.
Jonah Tong, considered by some to be the top pitching prospect remaining in the minors, was scratched from his start for Triple-A Syracuse last night. The New York Mets indicated they were not calling him up for today's game but instead are considering him for the weekend series with the Miami Marlins. David Peterson is listed as the Mets starter for today's late-afternoon road affair with the Washington Nationals. After taking Monday's opener, the Mets have lost the last two games of this four-game series.
There was some speculation that the Marlins were planning to call up their top pitching prospect, Thomas White, after he was scratched from yesterday's scheduled start for Triple-A Jacksonville. However, White was placed on the 7-day IL with an undisclosed injury. Sandy Alcantara is set to take the hill tonight when the Marlins try to even their four-game set with the Atlanta Braves. The Marlins collected the win on Monday, with the Braves grabbing the next two. They've tabbed Spencer Strider to try to win the series.
Jesus Sanchez left last night's game in the seventh inning after trying to make a diving catch. It appeared that he just had the wind knocked out of him, but the Toronto Blue Jays took the safe route and replaced him in left field with Myles Straw. If Sanchez is unable to play in tonight's series finale in the Bronx, Straw or Yohendrick Pinango would get the start when the Blue Jays try to even the series with the Yankees.
The Yankees may also be short an outfielder after Trent Grisham left last night's affair due to a sore left knee. Spencer Jones replaced him. With the Blue Jays opening with RHP Braydon Fisher, followed by RHP Spencer Miles for bulk relief, the lefty-swinging Jones would play left field with Cody Bellinger handling center field if Grisham can't play.
There is some good news on the Yankees front, with Gerrit Cole set to make his 2026 debut on Friday at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. Cole last pitched in the 2024 postseason, as he's been recovering from Tommy John surgery. He has made six rehab starts, the last with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, logging 86 pitches over 5 1/3 innings.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Thursday.
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.