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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10-day pitching forecaster | 10-day hitting forecaster
April 11: Saturday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Today’s full slate gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET with the Arizona Diamondbacks visiting the Philadelphia Phillies. Six more matinees follow, with eight early-evening games rounding out the docket.
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The Diamondbacks may be without starting catcher Gabriel Moreno after he had to leave last night’s series opener with lower back tightness. Veteran James McCann took over and will likely continue to fill in, with Adrian Del Castillo serving as the backup. Corbin Carroll missed his second straight game but is expected to return today.
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Wyatt Langford left last night’s contest in the sixth inning due to a tight right quad. His status for tonight’s road date with the Los Angeles Dodgers is uncertain. Sam Haggerty and Ezequiel Duran will see more action if Langford must miss time.
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Oft-injured Royce Lewis is headed for the 10-day IL yet again after he hurt his knee on Thursday night and then missed last night’s series opener at Rogers Centre against the Toronto Blue Jays. Tristan Gray manned third base and should continue to see action at the hot corner.
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Clay Holmes left last night’s game after tossing 5⅓ innings due to a tight left hamstring. After the game, he indicated that he doesn’t feel the injury is serious and hopes it can clear up in a couple of days. Before signaling for the trainer, the New York Mets righty yielded just one run to the Athletics.
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Hunter Goodman didn’t start last night’s NL West tilt between the Colorado Rockies and San Diego Padres, but he was able to pinch-hit and delivered a single to get the Rockies on the board in the eighth, then came around to score the tying run. The Padres walked it off with a long ball for the second straight night. It was also the second consecutive outing where Mason Miller fanned the side, giving him 19 strikeouts in just 7⅓ innings.
April 10: Forecaster findings
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
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Fantasy baseball’s Week 3 is a busier one for you AL-only fantasy baseball players, as among the 10 teams scheduled to play on all seven days, eight hail from the American League. Still, all 30 teams are scheduled for at least six games.
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Wednesday is Jackie Robinson Day, with every MLB team scheduled to play. Among the highlights are the New York Mets visiting the Los Angeles Dodgers on ESPN, beginning at 10 p.m. ET. Shohei Ohtani currently aligns to start that game for the Dodgers.
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The top four teams in the NL East — both in the standings at publishing time and in terms of playoff odds — have their work cut out for them. The Atlanta Braves play a pair of series against teams in the division, hosting the hot-starting Miami Marlins before visiting the Philadelphia Phillies.
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The other series for these teams all involve matchups against some Central and West playoff favorites, as the Marlins host the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend, the Mets visit the Chicago Cubs (in addition to their trip to Los Angeles), and the Phillies host those same Cubs prior to the Braves’ visit. This tough schedule is what keeps all of these teams’ ratings below average, although the Forecaster projections most favor the Phillies, primarily thanks to the hitting boost that Citizens Bank Park provides.
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Speaking of the Phillies, there’s an outside chance that ace Zack Wheeler, on the mend at Triple-A Lehigh Valley following thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, will make his 2026 debut during that weekend series against the Cubs. Wheeler is scheduled for a fourth minor league rehabilitation start on Tuesday, potentially aligning him for a Sunday return, assuming the team is comfortable with how his velocity and pitch count improves in that next outing.
Be sure to check out the complete Forecaster rankings before setting your Week 3 lineups.
April 10: Friday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Today’s 15-game slate commences at 2:20 p.m. ET with the Chicago Cubs hosting the Pittsburgh Pirates in an NL Central affair. Action picks up again at 6:40 p.m. ET with the first pair of 14 contests to be played under the lights.
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Brent Rooker left Thursday’s game in the middle of a first-inning at-bat after he hurt himself taking a swing. He’s slated for imaging today. Carlos Cortes and Andy Ibanez are the likely replacements for the Athletics should Rooker need to miss time.
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The Colorado Rockies could be without catcher Hunter Goodman for the second game of their road set against the San Diego Padres after he left last night’s game due to a lacerated finger, the result of his being hit by a pitch on the hand. His status is day-to-day.
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Parker Meadows of the Detroit Tigers was carted off the field Thursday after he and Riley Greene banged heads chasing a fly ball in the left field gap. Greene was able to stay in the game, but Meadows remained on the ground for a bit before being carted off the field. He stayed overnight at a Minneapolis hospital and is expected to be placed on the 7-day concussion list today. The team could call up Wenceel Perez from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot, with Perez and Matt Vierling sharing center field duties. There is also speculation that top prospect Max Clark could get the call. Stay tuned.
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Corbin Carroll missed Thursday’s game due to a sore hip. He hurt it Wednesday night hustling for a triple. It isn’t considered serious, but his status for this evening when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Philadelphia Phillies is unclear. Jorge Barrosa handled right field.
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Jorge Polanco missed Thursday’s game due to recurring Achilles tendinitis. His status is day-to-day, but since he missed a game earlier in the month for the same issue, New York Mets manager indicated that Polanco may require a visit to the 10-day IL.
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Griffin Conine exited Thursday’s game in the sixth inning due to a hamstring injury he suffered while diving for a fly ball. Heriberto Hernandez took over in left field for the Miami Marlins and is likely to see more action with Conine requiring an IL stint. Deyvison De Los Santos is set to be called up from Triple-A Jacksonville.
April 9: Thursday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Today’s six-game slate kicks off at 12:10 p.m. ET with the Miami Marlins hosting the Cincinnati Reds. There are two more matinees, followed by three evening games.
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The Chicago White Sox called up Dustin Harris on Monday. The outfielder swiped 68 bases combined over the past two seasons for Triple-A Round Rock and had a steal for Triple-A Charlotte just prior to his promotion. Harris got the start last night and celebrated with two stolen bases. He could be in line for more playing time with Austin Hays and Everson Pereira both on the IL.
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The Reds placed backup catcher Jose Trevino on the 10-day IL due to a thoracic outlet spine strain. It was backdated to Sunday, so he is eligible to be activated next Wednesday. P.J. Higgins was called up from Triple-A Louisville to serve as Tyler Stephenson’s understudy. Christian Encarnacion-Strand was designated for assignment to clear a spot on the team’s 40-man roster.
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Joel Kuhnel logged a save for the Athletics last night. It was just his second appearance of the season. Prior to Tuesday’s call-up, he last pitched in the majors in 2024. While it’s not clear that Kuhnel will be the club’s closer going forward, it does seem like the job is currently up for grabs.
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Mark Vientos began the season in the lineup against only left-handed pitching, but he’s now started eight consecutive contests, albeit in part due to Juan Soto’s absence. However, after a modest five-game hitting streak, he has since gone hitless over the last two New York Mets games.
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Cole Ragans left Wednesday’s start after recording just two outs. He was hit in the thumb on his pitching hand by a batted ball and had to leave the game after trying to stay in. The southpaw fanned the first two hitters but subsequently ended up giving up three earned runs. Even so, the Kansas City Royals don’t expect Ragans to miss any starts.
April 8: Juan Soto injury analysis
Stephania Bell breaks down Soto’s expected 2-3 week return from a calf strain.
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Can Juan Soto return within 2-3 weeks?
Stephania Bell breaks down Juan Soto’s expected 2-3 week return from a calf strain.
April 8: Wednesday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
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It’s getaway day, with 11 of today’s 15 games being afternoon affairs. Action gets underway at 12:35 p.m. ET in the Steel City with the rubber game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. The evening slate begins at 6:40 p.m. ET, with all four games starting by 7:40 p.m. ET.
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The Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants each have a win in their set at Oracle Park. The Phillies may have to go for a series win without starting catcher J.T. Realmuto, as the veteran left last night’s contest after the first inning due to taking a foul tip off his foot. It’s being labeled as a bruise, but Rafael Marchan may be behind the plate today.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks placed Carlos Santana on the 10-day IL yesterday due to an adductor issue. With Pavin Smith also on the shelf, the club called up Luken Baker to add some depth at first base. Baker joins Jose Fernandez and Tim Tawa as candidates to cover the spot. Smith is eligible to be activated today, but he hasn’t yet reported to a rehab assignment.
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Last night, Jakob Junis collected his second save in the last two games as he nailed down the Texas Rangers’ 3-2 win over the Seattle Mariners. While Junis may be leading a closer committee, he is likely to be unavailable today when the Rangers go for the sweep. Tyler Alexander also has two saves, but one was in extra innings and the other was when Robert Garcia and Chris Martin were both unavailable, so it’s unclear who will get the call if needed today.
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Chad Patrick was initially scheduled to start today for the Milwaukee Brewers, but instead of having him pitch on just three days of rest, he’s been pushed back to Friday, with Shane Drohan coming up from Triple-A Nashville to face the Boston Red Sox. Drohan was acquired from the Red Sox in the Caleb Durbin deal. He made one start for the Sounds, tossing 3 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and four walks.
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Updating a few injuries, the Chicago Cubs reported that Cade Horton requires season-ending UCL surgery. Whether it’s Tommy John surgery or the internal brace procedure won’t be determined until he’s under the knife. The Toronto Blue Jays expect to be without starting catcher Alejandro Kirk for six weeks following surgery to repair his fractured left thumb. Additionally, the Houston Astros indicated that Hunter Brown has a Grade 2 shoulder strain and won’t throw for a few weeks.
