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
July 5: Sunday morning's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's slate gets underway at 12:30 p.m. ET with the Atlanta Braves hosting the New York Mets. As a holiday weekend treat, there is a pair of evening affairs, beginning with the Los Angeles Dodgers entertaining the San Diego Padres at 7:20 p.m., followed by the Los Angeles Angels taking on the Boston Red Sox at 9:30 p.m. in Anaheim.
Brandon Woodruff left last night's game after just 3⅔ innings. He yielded three runs on two hits while fanning six. After the game, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy revealed that Woodruff was diagnosed with an inflamed labrum in his right shoulder and is headed for an extended stint on the 15-day IL. The Brewers have eight games next week, but Robert Gasser can be called up from Triple-A as the 27th man during the Tuesday doubleheader, and Logan Henderson is set to come off the IL next week.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts is optimistic that Shohei Ohtani will return to the lineup today in his usual designated hitter capacity. He missed yesterday's game after experiencing right bicep discomfort on Friday night.
After missing four games, Byron Buxton was back in center field and batting second for the Minnesota Twins yesterday. He enjoyed a 1-for-3 game with a walk, run scored and a pair of RBIs in the Twins' 11-4 win over the New York Yankees in the Bronx.
The Athletics' lineup received a boost yesterday with the return of Zack Gelof. Tyler Soderstrom remains on the injured list, and Shea Langeliers is day-to-day, but at least they have their starting third baseman back.
The Texas Rangers also got some help with the return of Brandon Nimmo. The right fielder was sidelined for four games with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. Corey Seager and Wyatt Langford continue to be on the shelf, but their cleanup hitter is back in action.
Cade Cavalli will take the hill for the Washington Nationals today. He was initially scheduled to pitch tomorrow, but he's swapping rotation spots with Miles Mikolas. Cavalli was suspended seven games for his role in the altercation with the Boston Red Sox last week, but he's appealing the ruling and allowed to pitch until his hearing.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Sunday.
July 4: Saturday morning's news to know
By Todd Zola
The Fourth of July schedule has an early (11:05 a.m. ET) start, with the Washington Nationals hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates. Three more afternoon games follow, and 11 games will be contested under the lights.
With Trent Grisham activated from the injured list, the New York Yankees optioned Spencer Jones to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Jones posted a respectable .265/.345/.469 since being recalled in early June, but the club needed to promote Brendan Beck to start Saturday's matinee with Carlos Rodon placed on the injured list with elbow inflammation. Beck is a 27-year-old right-hander who earned the promotion by posting a 1.71 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over his past 10 outings, featuring 58 strikeouts with 21 walks over 58 innings.
The Minnesota Twins were hoping that Thursday's off day would enable Byron Buxton to return to the lineup after missing three consecutive games, but Buxton remained sidelined Friday night with a hip issue. He remains questionable for Saturday afternoon's matchup in the Bronx against the Yankees.
Shohei Ohtani will miss today's game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres after leaving last night's contest with a sore bicep. After the game, Ohtani indicated that he experienced something similar earlier in the season, but in that instance it went away quickly. Even so, manager Dave Roberts will take the precautionary route and keep Ohtani on the bench Saturday.
The Athletics are already playing short-handed with Brent Rooker out for the season and Zack Gelof, Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom on the IL, and now they could be without Shea Langeliers after the catcher exited last night's game with an injured left thumb. His status for tonight's home date with the Miami Marlins is uncertain.
The Seattle Mariners placed Julio Rodriguez on the seven-day IL while he clears concussion protocol after being hit in the helmet by a throw as he was sliding into second base Thursday night. Victor Robles also was hurt Thursday night, but he was able to return to the lineup Friday and handle center field.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Saturday.
July 3: Friday morning's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's 13-game slate has an unconventional 4:05 p.m. ET start at Wrigley Field, with the Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals. Two series are on hold today due to a World Cup match at a nearby stadium: the Texas Rangers hosting the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals entertaining the Philadelphia Phillies.
Major League Baseball announced four suspensions following the incident between the Boston Red Sox and Washington Nationals this past Tuesday night at Fenway Park. The main principals, Willson Contreras and Cade Cavalli, will be out for seven games each, barring an appeal. If Contreras accepts the ruling, he won't be eligible until July 11. Romy Gonzalez will see most of the action at first base while Contreras is absent.
The Seattle Mariners announced that Julio Rodriguez is in concussion protocol after being hit in the helmet by a throw in the first inning. He initially stayed in the game but left for a pinch-hitter in the third inning. Victor Robles was the replacement, but he was hit by a pitch in the third inning and left the game in the fifth, forcing Luke Raley to shift from right field to center and Weston Wilson to come off the bench to handle right. Rodriguez and Robles are both questionable for tonight's home date with the Toronto Blue Jays.
If you benched David Bednar when he went on paternity leave, be sure to put him back in your active lineup today as he's back with the New York Yankees. He'll be available to close when the Yankees welcome the Minnesota Twins to the Bronx tonight. The last time Bednar gave up a run was May 18. Since then, he's logged 14 scoreless frames, fanning 15 with just six hits and three walks allowed, collecting five saves and a win over that span.
Grant Holmes will take the hill for the Atlanta Braves tonight when they host the New York Mets. Holmes was shifted to the bullpen where he made one appearance before returning to the rotation. His stay could be brief with the club opting to skip Bryce Elder's turn this time through and Hurston Waldrep returning from injury.
Salvador Perez missed yesterday's game with left elbow soreness. While the severity isn't clear, it's serious enough that the Kansas City Royals summoned Luke Maile from Triple-A Omaha to serve as the backup for Carter Jensen at catcher. With the Royals off today, Perez's status may not be clarified until tomorrow.
July 2: Thursday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's nine-game slate gets underway at 12:35 p.m. ET with a pair of Keystone State combatants as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Pittsburgh Pirates. Temperatures are expected to approach triple digits for this early afternoon affair, so the ball could be flying out of Citizens Bank Park.
With Blake Dunn and Dane Myers both on the IL, the Cincinnati Reds started Matt McLain in center field last night. He has played either second base or shortstop since his rookie season in 2023. Using McLain in center field keeps Edwin Arroyo in the lineup as he was sharing second base with McLain after Elly De La Cruz came off the IL last week.
Dustin May is set to start tonight's rubber game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Atlanta Braves in hot and humid Truist Park. May had his last start skipped after experiencing lingering back tightness, stemming from his complete game shutout of the San Diego Padres on June 15. He struggled against the Kansas City Royals in the following effort before getting extra rest prior to tonight's contest.
May will be opposed by Hurston Waldrep, who will be making his first start of the season for the Braves. The 24-year-old right-hander missed the first three months of the season after having loose bodies removed from his throwing elbow in February. He made five rehab starts before debuting as a reliever last week. With a strong effort, Waldrep could remain in the rotation as Reynaldo Lopez and Bryce Elder are both struggling. However, Waldrep isn't fully stretched out and walked four in two innings coming out of the bullpen in his 2026 debut.
Stephen Kolek will be back for tonight's matchup between the Royals and the Tampa Bay Rays. Kolek was initially on the paternity list but was shifted to the family medical emergency list when he needed to be away for a few more days. He'll take the hill in Kauffman Stadium tonight and be tasked with keeping Junior Caminero from extending his six-game home run streak. It won't be easy with hot and humid conditions and a steady breeze blowing out to left field.
The Texas Rangers placed SS Corey Seager on the 10-day IL yesterday due to lower-back inflammation. There is no timetable for his return, though he missed a month earlier in the season with a back issue. Josh Smith was called up to fill the open roster spot, though Ezequiel Duran is expected to see most of the action at shortstop. The club is hopeful that Brandon Nimmo will avoid joining Seager on the shelf, though Nimmo missed his third straight game last night due to an AC joint sprain in his left shoulder.
Mookie Betts was scratched from last night's lineup thanks to a sore wrist, but Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that the move was merely precautionary. Miguel Rojas filled in at shortstop last night in the team's 7-1 loss to the Athletics. Betts' availability for tonight's series opener at home against the Padres is unclear. However, yesterday Roberts reported that C Will Smith will remain sidelined through the All-Star break.