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
Friday’s lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster
Sept. 5: What you need to know for Friday
Todd Zola: The Chicago Cubs are at home this weekend, signaling a 2:20 p.m. ET start for the opener of a three-game set against the Washington Nationals. The remaining 14 contests are all evening affairs. A few spots may see some light showers, but no game is in serious jeopardy of not being played. The Cleveland Guardians/Tampa Bay Rays and the San Francisco Giants/St. Louis Cardinals matchups are the most likely to have to deal with a little precipitation.
-
After working as a traditional starter for a couple of outings, Ian Seymour will serve as the Rays’ primary pitcher tonight, with Griffin Jax opening the contest. With Griffin throwing right-handed and Seymour being a southpaw, the move forces the Guardians to make decisions on a few platoon players, so be sure to check the lineups before finalizing your fantasy hitters.
-
Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees exited last night’s game in the fourth inning with what is being described as “contusions to both knees.” He apparently got hurt while covering second base on an attempted steal by Jose Altuve. Chisholm is slated for imaging today and his status for the opener of an important series against the Toronto Blue Jays is unclear.
-
The Minnesota Twins may be without the services of Ryan Jeffers, pending the results of an examination to his head. The backstop was hit in the mask by a foul ball and was removed from last night’s game. Backup catcher Christian Vazquez is likely out for the season after undergoing shoulder surgery for an infection, leaving Mickey Gasper as the only other receiver on the active roster.
-
In more Twins news, Pablo Lopez is expected to be activated to start tonight’s road tilt against the Kansas City Royals. Lopez has been sidelined since early June with a Grade 2 teres major strain in his right shoulder. He completed four rehab outings, fanning 12 with just two walks in 16 frames. He did toss 5â…” scoreless innings in his final rehab appearance, so the right-hander should not be limited in his return.
-
The New York Mets are expected to activate Francisco Alvarez from the 10-day IL in advance of tonight’s road date with the Cincinnati Reds. He was sidelined due to a right thumb injury that is not fully healed and will require offseason surgery. Alvarez also fractured his left pinky while on rehab, but he should be able to play through that issue. Despite all of these lingering woes, Alvarez is slated to be behind the plate tonight.
-
Mike Trout returned to the Los Angeles Angels‘ lineup last night after missing two games as a result of a skin infection. It’s been a rough season for the slugger as he’s sporting a 31% strikeout rate, the highest of his career.
-
Will Smith missed last night’s game and could be headed for the 10-day IL after being hit in the right hand by a foul tip. The Los Angeles Dodgers indicated that Smith will likely sit all of this weekend and maybe more, pending the results of a CT scan. Dalton Rushing will serve as the primary backstop with Ben Rortvedt having been recalled to be the backup. Reliever Alexis Diaz was released to free up an active roster spot.
Sept. 4: What you need to know for Thursday
Todd Zola: The first of today’s six games gets underway at 4 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia Phillies visiting the Milwaukee Brewers in a battle of first-place squads. It’s an odd schedule in that there are no games on the West Coast, with all of the other five contests starting by 7:40 p.m. ET.
-
After a quiet stretch weather-wise, three games could be affected by rain. Before setting lineups, check the forecast for the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Tampa Bay Rays entertaining the Cleveland Guardians and Minnesota Twins welcoming the Chicago White Sox.
-
Christian Yelich was scratched from last night’s contest due to a sore lower back. He was replaced at DH by Jackson Chourio, who is nursing a hamstring cramp and had been earmarked for a day off. Manager Pat Murphy has already indicated that Yelich will miss the final game of the Brewers’ road set in Philadelphia, with the hope he returns tomorrow when the Brewers begin a series with the Pirates.
-
Shohei Ohtani was supposed to take the hill last night, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts reported that the two-way star was under the weather. His start was pushed to the weekend. Ohtani was still able to handle DH duties and went 2-for-5 in the Dodgers’ loss to the Pirates.
-
Taylor Ward returned to the Los Angeles Angels lineup last night after missing two games with a cut above his eye incurred by running into the scoreboard on the Crawford Boxes wall in Houston. He served as the DH in yesterday’s 4-3 road win over the Kansas City Royals. However, Mike Trout missed his second consecutive game due to a skin infection. Trout will be questionable tonight when the Angels will try to sweep the Royals.
-
Seth Lugo was initially ticketed to start tonight’s affair for the Royals, but he’s been experiencing tightness in his back, so Noah Cameron will take the hill. The rookie left-hander last took the mound on August 25. The Royals skipped his last turn in order to help manage his workload. Cameron’s 140 2/3 combined innings are already a career high.
-
Shane Smith was originally tabbed to start today for the White Sox, but the club will instead open with Fraser Ellard before tagging in Jonathan Cannon as the bulk reliever in their road tilt with the Twins. Smith is now slated to pitch the opener of Chicago’s weekend set in Motown against the Detroit Tigers.
