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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May 27: Wednesday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Afternoon baseball returns with the Toronto Blue Jays welcoming the Miami Marlins to the Rogers Centre at 1:07 p.m. ET for the rubber game of a three-game interleague series. Five more matinees follow, with nine evening affairs closing out the slate.
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After missing two games, Josh Jung was back on the field last night for the Texas Rangers, playing third base and batting cleanup. He left last Saturday’s game early due to a sore left shoulder. Jung went 1-for-3 in the Rangers’ 10-7 win over the Houston Astros.
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The Chicago White Sox have called up David Sandlin to start tonight’s AL Central matchup against the Minnesota Twins. The spot opened after the club placed Noah Schultz on the 15-day IL as a result of a knee issue. Sandlin was acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the offseason but was dealing with a sore elbow in the spring, so he’s only made six appearances for his new organization. The 25-year-old right-hander logged 12 innings with Triple-A Charlotte, fanning 17 while allowing just one earned run. His longest stint has been four innings, so he may not be stretched out enough to go deep into the game.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr.‘s status for Toronto is unclear after missing his second consecutive game last night. The slugger was hit in the elbow by a pitch on Sunday. Guerrero was able to take swings yesterday, so the club is hopeful he can return today. Lenyn Sosa has been filling in at first base.
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The Los Angeles Angels were without 1B Nolan Schanuel for the second straight game as he’s nursing lingering left calf tightness. Vaughn Grissom has been filling in and would be the top option to continue manning first base if Schanuel remains out for today’s road date with the Detroit Tigers.
May 26: Tuesday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
After three days filled with afternoon baseball, all 15 of today’s games are evening affairs. Action gets underway at 6:10 p.m. ET with the Washington Nationals visiting the Cleveland Guardians. After a wet Memorial Day Weekend, tonight’s slate should be devoid of any weather issues.
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Aaron Civale is expected to be placed on the 15-day IL after undergoing evaluation for a right shoulder injury. Yesterday, he gave up seven runs in four innings to the Seattle Mariners as the Athletics lost 9-2. The club has called up 23-year-old lefty Gage Jump to take Civale’s spot in the rotation and will actually use him today, with Luis Severino now going on Wednesday. Jump posted a 4.74 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in 38 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas, but he worked in one of the most hitter-friendly venues in the Pacific Coast League, which is replete with great hitter’s parks. His 56 strikeouts in those 38 frames are impressive.
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The struggling Toronto Blue Jays lineup got a boost last night with the return of Nathan Lukes. He had missed just over a month due to a strained left hamstring. The week before he was placed on the IL, Lukes hit .524/.545/.714 and came back yesterday with a 3-for-4 effort, albeit in an 8-2 loss to the Miami Marlins. Lukes should see regular playing time in right field.
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Before the game, the Blue Jays placed Dylan Cease on the 15-day IL due to a strained left hamstring. The injury is considered mild, so the club is hopeful for a minimum absence. It’s unclear how the Blue Jays will fill the open rotation spot.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers were without Max Muncy for the third straight game as he’s still nursing a right wrist contusion. He’s likely going to be out again tonight when the Colorado Rockies visit Chavez Ravine, but the club hopes he can return tomorrow. With lefty Kyle Freeland on the hill for the visitors, Enrique Hernandez is the top option at the hot corner.
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Yordan Alvarez was back in action yesterday after exiting Saturday’s tilt with back spasms. He didn’t play on Sunday, but that was reportedly a planned absence. Still, he had been questionable leading into last night’s affair with the Texas Rangers, won by the Houston Astros as three pitchers combined for a no-hitter, led by six innings from Tatsuya Imai.
May 25: Monday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Everyone is in action on Memorial Day except the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. Two of the 13 games get underway at 1:35 p.m. ET. After three straight slates with at least one rainout, nothing on Monday appears to be in jeopardy. Though there will be morning rain at Camden Yards, it’s expected to taper off by the time the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays meet for one of the first games of the day.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left yesterday’s game after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow. X-rays were negative, but Guerrero reported feeling numbness in his fingers, indicating the pitch hit a nerve. He’s expected to be examined before tomorrow’s pre-game workout prior to the opener of the Toronto Blue Jays home series against the Miami Marlins. It’s best to have a contingency plan ready in case Guerrero can’t play.
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Guerrero wasn’t the only Blue Jay injured yesterday, as Dylan Cease had to leave with a sore hamstring after logging 4 2/3 innings. Initial evaluation is encouraging, but he’s slated for an MRI today.
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Josh Jung missed yesterday’s game after leaving Saturday’s contest with a sore left shoulder. Michael Helman played shortstop, with Ezequiel Duran manning the hot corner. Jung is one of the few bright spots on a Texas Rangers team dealing with multiple injuries. He’s batting .309/.357/.462 over 48 games. He’s considered day-to-day in advance of this evening’s home date with the Houston Astros.
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Ian Happ was on the bench for both Chicago Cubs’ weekend meetings with the Houston Astros. The Cubs were swept, extending their losing streak to eight games. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that he wanted to give Happ a mental break and that he expects Happ to be in today’s lineup for their early matinee against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was 1-for-24 with 14 strikeouts and two walks over the six games heading into the weekend.
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Max Muncy is expected to miss tonight’s home affair when the Los Angeles Dodgers entertain the Colorado Rockies. He missed the past two games after being hit by a pitch on Friday. He was initially scheduled for a CT scan today, but manager Dave Roberts indicated that Muncy showed enough improvement yesterday to avoid imaging. Miguel Rojas should continue to see action at third base, though Enrique Hernandez is expected to be activated from the 10-day IL and could be an option. Hernandez has been rehabbing from a torn tendon in his left elbow. He underwent surgery last November.
