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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June 8: What you need to know for Sunday
Todd Zola: Early game alert: today’s first pitch is at 12:10 p.m. ET with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Miami Marlins. The week’s finale features the Boston Red Sox visiting the New York Yankees in the ESPN Sunday night showcase.
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Julio Rodriguez left last night’s game between the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angels after he was struck on the foot on a line drive hit by Randy Arozarena. Rodriguez was headed to third base when he was hit on his ankle. He gingerly left the field with the trainer. X-rays were negative, so Rodriguez’s status is day-to-day with a bruised foot.
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Ryan Weathers was removed from the Marlins’ matchup with the Rays after completing just three innings on Saturday. Initially, it appeared that the lefty was dealing with an arm issue as he was seen flexing his arm and his velocity was down a tick. However, after the game it was revealed that Weathers left the game due to concerns about being hit in the head by C Nick Fortes‘ throw to second following first inning warmups. The injury isn’t considered serious, though Weathers’ status for his next start is unclear.
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Francisco Lindor‘s pinch-hit double on Friday night was a harbinger of his return to the starting lineup yesterday, despite playing with a fractured pinky toe. He clearly wasn’t bothered after collecting three hits and stealing two bases in the New York Mets 8-1 win over the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field. This isn’t to suggest there won’t be flare ups, but a pair of swipes is a great sign.
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The Philadelphia Phillies placed 1B Bryce Harper on the 10-day IL with right wrist inflammation. He missed Friday night’s game, and with lingering soreness on Saturday, the club made the move. Otto Kemp was called up from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Harper’s roster spot. Kemp earned his first taste of The Show with a .313/.416/.594 line over 58 games. He appeared at first base, second base, third base and outfield, suggesting the Phillies are grooming Lopez for a utility role. It’s unclear how much he’ll play with Alec Bohm shifting to first base and Edmundo Sosa covering the hot corner.
June 7: What you need to know for Saturday
Todd Zola: Saturday’s action begins at 1:10 PM ET with an interleague clash in the Motor City, featuring the Detroit Tigers hosting the Chicago Cubs. Nine more matinees are staggered throughout the afternoon, followed by five evening affairs.
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The Cincinnati Reds and Arizona Diamondbacks will resume their game from last night with the clubs tied at three entering the seventh inning. In ESPN leagues, only players active in Friday’s lineup will get credited for stats generated during the resumption. The teams will start at 2:10 PM ET, then play the regularly scheduled game approximately 40 minutes after the completion of last night’s contest.
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Anthony Volpe left last night’s game after being hit on the elbow by a pitch. X-rays and a CT scan came back negative, rendering Volpe’s status as questionable for the second game of the weekend set between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the Bronx. Oswald Peraza took over at shortstop and is the likely replacement if Volpe remains sidelined.
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Denzel Clarke left last night’s game after crashing into the outfield wall while chasing down a long fly ball. The Athletics outfielder initially stayed in the game for a couple of innings but was eventually replaced by Seth Brown. Clarke has been diagnosed with a left shoulder contusion, but his status is unclear. Brown was designated for assignment earlier in the season but went unclaimed, so he reported to Triple-A Las Vegas. The 32-year-old veteran earned back his spot on the 40-man roster and a major league promotion after batting .500/.512/1.071 in nine games, albeit in one of the friendliest hitting environments in the minors.
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Gabriel Moreno left last night’s game after a ball in the dirt skipped past his glove and hit his bare hand. The Arizona Diamondbacks catcher left the game with Jose Herrera taking over behind the dish. X-rays were negative, but Moreno’s hand is swollen. He’ll be reevaluated later today. Elsewhere with the Diamondbacks, Corbin Burnes needs Tommy John surgery, so he’ll miss the rest of this season and most of next year.
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Francisco Lindor‘s fractured pinky toe kept him out of the New York Mets lineup last night in the opener of their road series with the Colorado Rockies in Coors Field. However, he was able to pinch hit and delivered what ended up being the game winning hit when he doubled in Juan Soto and Pete Alonso to put the Mets up 4-2 in the ninth inning. Edwin Diaz sealed the deal with a clean frame for his 14th save. Lindor’s appearance doesn’t guarantee he’ll start today, but at least he can come off the bench if needed.
June 6: What you need to know for Friday
Todd Zola: Action gets underway early today with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Miami Marlins at 1:10 p.m. ET. The remaining 14 games are all evening affairs.
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Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks is slated to come off the 10-day IL in advance of tonight’s opener of a three-game series at the Cincinnati Reds. Rodriguez last pitched on May 14, then missed time due to shoulder inflammation. He was off to a rough start with a 7.05 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP in nine starts spanning 44 2/3 innings. Rodriguez is filling the rotation spot vacated by Corbin Burneswho is seeking a second opinion on his sore right elbow.
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St. Louis Cardinals SP Matthew Liberator managed only four frames in last night’s nightcap with the Kansas City Royals. The lefty came out for the fifth but signaled towards the dugout and left the game with the trainer. Liberatore was diagnosed with arm fatigue, though no timeline for his next start was reported.
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Shea Langeliers left last night’s contest during an at bat as he reportedly hurt his left flank while swinging. He’s scheduled for an MRI today. Langeliers was serving as the DH for the Athletics last night with recent callup Willie Maciver behind the plate. MacIver could be in line for more starts going forward if Langeliers is forced to miss time. MacIver posted a .393/.472/.557 line for Triple-A Las Vegas prior to his late May promotion. The production is impressive, but realize he’s 28-years-old and was playing in one of the best hitting environments in the minor leagues.
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The New York Mets were without Francisco Lindor last night after he was diagnosed with a broken right pinky toe. The shortstop was hit by a pitch in the first inning of Wednesday’s contest but stayed in for the rest of the game. Lindor’s availability will be on a day-to-day basis and revolve around his pain tolerance.
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LUIS ROBERT JR missed his third straight game last night. The first two were planned maintenance days to help him “snap out of his funk” but last night was due to a ball deflecting off the cage and hitting him in the head during batting practice. Roberts is expected to return tonight when the Chicago White Sox host the Royals. However, Roberts’ main asset is stolen bases, and the Royals are far and away the best team at defending the running game. Teams have tried only 18 steals facing the Royals, with only nine successful stolen bases.
June 5: What you need to know for Thursday
Todd Zola: Wednesday’s rainout in St. Louis makes it a baker’s dozen games for today, beginning at 12:15 p.m. ET with the Atlanta Braves hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks. While a couple of the 13 games may see a sprinkle or two, they are all supposed to play without a hitch.
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Minnesota Twins SP Pablo Lopez is estimated to miss 8-12 weeks with a Grade 2 teres major strain (upper arm). He was off to a solid start, recording a 2.82 ERA and 1.07 WHIP over 11 starts spanning 60 2/3 innings. David Festa will replace Lopez in the rotation, as he’s being called up to start Thursday’s matinee with the Twins going for the sweep of their series with the Athletics in Sacramento.
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The Twins offense might be short-handed after Carlos Correa missed last night’s contest with a tight back. He was replaced by Brooks Lee. Correa is considered day-to-day.
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San Diego Padres SS Xander Bogaerts left last night’s game with a sore left shoulder. His status is unclear for the finale of a four-game road set with the San Francisco Giants. The Padres enter Thursday’s matinee having won two of the first three games of the NL West showdown. If Bogaerts is out, Jose Iglesias is the likely substitute.
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Kyle Tucker is questionable for Thursday’s rubber game of the Chicago Cubs‘ road series with the Washington Nationals. Tucker missed the first two games after jamming his finger on Sunday. Seiya Suzuki took over in right field with Justin Turner serving as the DH in the first two games of the series. Tucker is No. 6 overall on the ESPN Player Rater.
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Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto was forced from Wednesday night’s game after taking a foul tip to the groin area. His status for Thursday afternoon’s rubber game of the three-game interleague series in Rogers Centre with the Toronto Blue Jays is unclear. Rafael March would fill in behind the plate If Realmuto needs more time to recover.
