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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July 27: What you need to know for Sunday
Todd Zola: Sunday's action gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET with four games. Ten more matinees ensue with the San Francisco Giants hosting the New York Mets in the ESPN Sunday night affair.
The New York Yankees placed Aaron Judge on the 10-day IL after he was diagnosed with a flexor strain in his right elbow. Imaging revealed there is no damage, though Judge does not have a timetable to return. In other club news, the Yankees acquired Amed Rosario from the Washington Nationals. Rosario is likely going to serve in a super-utility capacity, though he could serve as the right-handed portion of a third base platoon with the newly acquired Ryan McMahon.
Initially, Sean Burke was slated to start for the Chicago White Sox in Sunday's rubber game against the Chicago Cubs, but Grant Taylor is now slated to open. It's unclear if the White Sox are planning on a bullpen affair, or whether Burke will handle bulk pitching duties.
Byron Buxton is scheduled for imaging today after experiencing soreness in his side during last night's contest. His availability for today's rubber game between the Minnesota Twins and Washington Nationals is unclear.
Jac Caglianone was placed on the 10-day IL yesterday. He injured his hamstring hustling to first base in the opener of Saturday's doubleheader between the Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians. Caglianone's spot in right field will likely be filled by Randal Grichuk, acquired yesterday from the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Mookie Betts rejoined the Los Angeles Dodgers last night in Fenway Park, but he was not in the starting lineup. However, the former Red Sox star pinch hit in the ninth inning but was fanned by Aroldis Chapman to end last night's contest. He's earmarked to be back in the Dodgers starting lineup in the rubber game of the three-game interleague set.
July 26: What you need to know for Saturday
Todd Zola: A busy Saturday is now more crowded with Friday night's rainout in Kansas City being made up Saturday as part of a separate admission doubleheader. The Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Guardians will play the opener at 2:40 p.m. ET. The slate gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET with the only other matinee featuring the New York Yankees hosting the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Yankees will have a new third baseman with Ryan McMahon expected to be in the Bronx after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies. Oswald Peraza will return to a utility role.
Mookie Betts missed his return to Fenway Park for personal reasons Friday night. He's expected to be back with the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday, but his status is unknown.
The Boston Red Sox placed Marcelo Mayer on the 10-day IL retroactive to Thursday with a sprained wrist. David Hamilton was recalled and is expected to handle second base along with Romy Gonzalez.
Luis Robert Jr. missed Friday night's game with groin tightness. The Chicago White Sox are rumored to be shopping Robert to contenders, but his spotted injury history and a .206/.293/.343 line this season might be hard to move.
A lower back strain forced Ha-Seong Kim back to the 10-day IL. The Tampa Bay Rays were without the shortstop for most of the first half as Kim was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. Taylor Walls and Jose Caballero will garner more time at the position.
Matt Chapman returned to the San Francisco Giants lineup Friday night. He left Wednesday's game after being hit by a pitch on his left elbow. X-rays were negative and all Chapman needed was Thursday's day off to recover. In other club news, starting pitcher Landen Roupp was placed on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation, though the injury isn't considered serious. Tristan Beck and Carson Seymour are candidates to join the rotation, though Seymour was already slated to take the spot of the recently demoted Hayden Birdsong.
Kyle Tucker was back in action Friday night. The Chicago Cubs All-Star fouled a ball off his right knee on Tuesday night, then sat out Wednesday. After Thursday's off day, Tucker suited up for Friday night's 12-5 road loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Bobby Witt Jr. was held out of Wednesday's contest after tweaking his knee on Tuesday. In what's become a running theme, the Kansas City Royals shortstop recovered during Thursday's day off and was back in the lineup Friday night.
July 25: What you need to know for Friday
Todd Zola: Friday's 15-game slate gets underway at 4:10 p.m. ET with the Milwaukee Brewers entertaining the Miami Marlins. The remaining 14 contests will be under the lights. Rain is forecast along the East Coast and in the Midwest, but only the Kansas City Royals hosting the Cleveland Guardians appears to be in jeopardy.
Baltimore Orioles closer Felix Bautista was placed on the 15-day IL after experiencing shoulder discomfort. Interim manager Tony Mansolino indicated that he'll play matchups late in games. Seranthony Dominguez heads the committee that also includes Gregory Soto and Andrew Kittredge. Bautista is slated for an MRI today. The outcome may dictate how aggressively the club tries to move him at the trade deadline.
The Seattle Mariners got a head start on the impending trade deadline by acquiring 1B Josh Naylor from the Arizona Diamondbacks for a pair of pitching prospects. Naylor is batting .292/.360/.447 with 11 home runs. His strength is plate discipline with a 12.5% strikeout rate and 9.4% walk rate. He clubbed 31 homers last season with the Guardians, but that was in a more power-friendly venue than Chase Field or his new home in T-Mobile Park. Eric Karabell offers his fantasy take on the deal here.
Once healthy, Pavin Smith should take over at first base for the Diamondbacks, at least against right-handers. The club is expected to make more moves, including dealing third baseman Eugenio Suarez. Neither pitcher headed to Arizona were in the top 10 for Seattle in Kiley McDaniel's July prospect update. However, MLB Pipeline ranked them both in the midteens in Seattle's loaded farm system.
Nathan Eovaldi is slated to make his first post-break start tonight when the Texas Rangers host the Atlanta Braves. The veteran right-hander was scratched last weekend after experiencing back tightness. Eovaldi takes a 1.58 ERA and an 0.85 WHIP into the contest. He last appeared on the Sunday before the break.
July 24: What you need to know for Thursday
Todd Zola: You knew after a rare full Monday slate that Thursday's schedule would be light. There is but one afternoon affair and four contests under the lights. The first of the five games gets underway at 1:10 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Guardians going for the four-game sweep at home against the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles hope to have Tyler O'Neill back in their lineup when they try to salvage the final game against the Guardians. O'Neill has missed the last two games due to lower body soreness. It's been a disappointing season for the veteran outfielder, as he's played in only 33 games, producing a weak .177/.264/.319 line.
Jordan Walker is riding a modest five-game hitting streak, over which he's batting .400/.429/.600 with a palatable 23.8% strikeout rate. More than 53% of his contact has been over 95 mph in this span. With Lars Nootbaar and Nolan Gorman both sidelined, Walker has been in the St. Louis Cardinals lineup every day since the break. If he continues to hit the ball more frequently and with greater authority, he could be a regular for the rest of the second half.
With Zack Gelof having been optioned to the minors before the break and Max Muncy placed on the IL with a hand injury, Luis Urias is earmarked for regular playing time at second base for the Athletics. In other club news, while Denzel Clarke is on the IL, Lawrence Butler will slide over to center field with Miguel Andujar and Colby Thomas handling right. Gio Urshela will also see more playing at the hot corner with Andujar in the outfield.
The Houston Astros will reportedly summon Jason Alexander from Triple-A Sugar Land to start today's opener of a four-game series at home against the Athletics. Lance McCullers Jr. was initially slated to take the hill, but he was placed on the 15-day IL as a result of a blister. Alexander recorded a seemingly pristine 1.69 ERA in 42⅔ innings with the Space Cowboys, but the 32-year-old righty fanned only 36 while walking a generous 21 batters.
Jorge Soler had to leave last night's contest in the third inning after a flare-up of back tightness. The Los Angeles Angels were giving Soler frequent rest since his activation from the IL on July 1 and he has responded, with a productive .268/.367/.610 over his past 14 games. Soler's status for tonight's home tilt with the Seattle Mariners is unclear.