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 14: Thursday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's 11-game schedule gets underway at 12:35 p.m. ET with the Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Colorado Rockies in the rubber game of their three-game series. Six more matinees follow, with the final four games played under the lights.
Working solely as a pitcher, Shohei Ohtani hurled another gem last night, recording seven scoreless frames in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 4-0 win over the San Francisco Giants. Earlier in the week, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated that not only would Ohtani not serve as last night's DH, but he'd also get today off from hitting duties, though he would be available to pinch hit.
Juan Soto left last night's game after fouling a ball off his right ankle in the third inning, although he did stay in the contest until the seventh. Postgame X-rays came back negative, so he's being listed as "day-to-day" with a bruise. He'll be questionable for today's afternoon affair when the New York Mets go for the sweep over the Detroit Tigers in Flushing.
The Miami Marlins are poised to call up Braxton Garrett from Triple-A Jacksonville to start today's rubber game of their road set with the Minnesota Twins. He's taking Robby Snelling's spot in the rotation after the rookie was placed on the 15-day IL due to a UCL sprain. However, Garrett earned the promotion after posting a 2.30 ERA and an 0.80 WHIP in six starts for the Jumbo Shrimp. He hasn't appeared in the majors since 2024, missing last season following UCL revision surgery, needing the internal brace procedure.
Pete Fairbanks was activated from the 15-day IL prior to last night's contest but was not needed in the Marlins' 9-5 win. The veteran right-hander is expected to resume closing duties, funneling Calvin Faucher back to the setup role.
The Twins will reportedly call up Zebby Matthews to oppose Garrett. Connor Prielipp was initially slated to start, but they opted to give him extended rest. With Taj Bradley on the IL, Matthews was already going to be called up over the weekend. He'll make his 2026 Twins debut today instead. He last pitched a week ago, capturing his third straight win for Triple-A St. Paul, allowing just three runs over eight frames.
Jacob Misiorowski came out for the eighth inning after fanning 10 over the first seven, but he appeared to hurt his leg while warming up and left the game. He exited with the Milwaukee Brewers up 1-0 over the San Diego Padres but ended up without a decision after Brewers closer Abner Uribe yielded a three-run homer to Gavin Sheets in the ninth.
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh seemingly aggravated the right-side injury that had kept him out of the lineup for three games earlier this month. The extent of the injury is unclear, as is his status for this afternoon's road tilt with the Houston Astros. Mitch Garver would likely fill in behind the plate if needed.
Trea Turner was under the weather, so he didn't start last night's interleague affair in Fenway Park. He pinch hit for the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth, drawing a walk and then stealing second base, but he was stranded there in the 3-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. That said, coming off the bench indicates he should be in the starting lineup for today's rubber game between two clubs with interim managers.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Thursday.
May 13: Wednesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
After two days with no matinees, afternoon baseball returns today with a pair of early games, beginning with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET. Five minutes later, the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels get underway at Progressive Field. Action picks up again at 6:40 p.m. ET with 13 evening affairs.
Christian Yelich returned to the Milwaukee Brewers lineup last night after missing a month due to a left groin strain. He was the team's DH, batting in his familiar three-hole, but fanned twice while going hitless in four at-bats. With Yelich back, Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn will likely settle into a first base platoon, with Bauers on the busier side.
A.J. Ewing made his MLB debut last night and provided the New York Mets with a much-needed spark. He hit eighth in the lineup, going 1-for-2 with three walks, two runs, two RBI, and a steal. His first hit was a three-bagger, helping the club to a 10-2 home win over the Detroit Tigers. However, C Francisco Alvarez left the game in the sixth inning after hurting his knee while taking a hard swing. He's set for imaging today, with Luis Torrens the likely replacement if Alvarez can't play in today's middle game of a three-game set.
Ewing wasn't the only outfield prospect to get called up, with the Athletics promoting Henry Bolte from Triple-A Las Vegas. Keeping in mind that the Pacific Coast League is extremely hitter-friendly, Bolte hit .348/.418/.658 with 17 steals in 37 games for the Aviators. Even so, those are impressive numbers from a 22-year-old. Bolte's role with the A's is unclear, although Lawrence Butler is a candidate to lose playing time as he's batting just .179/.278/.282 on the season.
Bolte was called up to fill the roster spot created when SS Jacob Wilson was placed on the 10-day IL as a result of a left shoulder subluxation. Darell Hernaiz will handle shortstop while Wilson is out, which is expected to be for at least one month.
The Texas Rangers could be without Brandon Nimmo when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the rubber game of an interleague set. He left last night's game after hurting his left ankle in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative, so he's listed as day-to-day with a sprain. Sam Haggerty is the likely replacement if Nimmo misses time.
The Yankees placed Jose Caballero on the 10-day IL yesterday due to a right middle finger fracture. He's hoping for a minimum stay, and manager Aaron Boone indicated that he expects Caballero will be reinstated as the starting shortstop when he returns. Boone's choice of words suggests there is a small chance that Anthony Volpe could keep the job after he was called up to fill in. However, Max Schuemann handled the position in last night's 6-2 road win over the Orioles.
The Pittsburgh Pirates placed C Joey Bart on the 10-day IL with an infected left foot, backdating the move to Sunday. Endy Rodriguez was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to serve as the backup behind the plate, with Henry Davis handling most of the catching duties. Rodriguez had posted a modest .221/.326/.301 line in 34 games down on the farm.
The Atlanta Braves will be without C Sean Murphy for at least two months after he was placed on the 10-day IL courtesy of a broken left middle finger. He had been back for less than a week after returning from shoulder surgery. Jonah Heim served as Drake Baldwin's backup while Murphy was out, but Heim was dealt to the Athletics on Monday, so the club signed veteran Sandy Leon to be the reserve backstop.
And finally, in ESPN fantasy positional eligibility news, OF Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres played in his 10th game of the season at second base last night. That means he now officially adds 2B qualification in our game for the rest of the 2026 season.