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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Wednesday’s lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster
August 6: What you need to know for Wednesday
Todd Zola: After a couple of days with all evening affairs, daytime baseball returns with 10 afternoon contests, starting at 12:35 p.m. ET and a pair of early matinees, both in the Keystone State — the Philadelphia Phillies host the Baltimore Orioles and the Pittsburgh Pirates entertain the San Francisco Giants.
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Aaron Judge returned to the New York Yankees lineup last night but, like the rest of his teammates, they couldn’t solve old nemesis Nathan Eovaldi. He tossed eight scoreless innings in the Texas Rangers‘ 2-0 win in Arlington. Phil Maton captured the save, his third of the season. However, it was his first since being acquired at the trade deadline. Regular closer Robert Garcia has been dealing with back spasms.
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Byron Buxton will not be activated from the 10-day IL until at least Friday, so he’ll miss today’s rubber game between the Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers. Luke Keaschall did return for the club last night, batting fifth and playing second base. The rookie had been out since April due to a fractured forearm. His two-run homer in the first inning helped power the Twins to a 6-3 win in Motown.
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The Boston Red Sox will welcome Roman Anthony back to the starting lineup today as they go for the sweep over the Kansas City Royals at Fenway Park. Yesterday, Masataka Yoshida garnered a rare start in left field but was replaced by Ceddanne Rafaela when the Royals brought in a left-handed reliever. Tonight’s game will feature the Red Sox debut of Dustin May.
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The Cincinnati Reds placed Nick Lodolo on the 15-day IL yesterday after he had to leave Monday’s start early as a result of a blister. Lodolo has previously experienced some blister issues, so the club wants to make sure he’s completely healed before making his next start. Nick Martinez is expected to return to the rotation. He had been shifted to the bullpen after the club acquired Zack Littell from the Tampa Bay Rays. Littell impressed his new club with a gem last night, yielding just one run over seven innings to the Chicago Cubs. The righty fanned eight while walking just two.
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Speaking of the Cubs, they also made a move yesterday, placing newly acquired Michael Soroka on the 15-day IL due to a strained right shoulder. The extent of the injury and his timetable to return are unclear. Ben Brown will likely make a start this weekend because Jameson Taillon and Javier Assad are both on rehab assignments and not yet ready to face major league batters.
Aug. 5: What you need to know for Tuesday
Todd Zola: Action begins at 6:40 p.m. ET with a trio of evening affairs. Weather should only be an issue for the matchup between the Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers at Truist Field. Everything else will be played under clear conditions or in a dome.
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The New York Yankees will activate Aaron Judge from the 10-day IL in advance of Tuesday night’s road tilt with the Texas Rangers. He will be limited to DH as he has not been cleared to throw while recovering from a right flexor strain. Giancarlo Stanton will likely play one of the corner outfield spots with Judge forced to DH. Stanton has yet to appear in the field this season, but he has been shagging flies and doing throwing drills in pregame warmups. In other club news Austin Slater was placed on the 10-day IL due to a left hamstring issue.
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Roman Anthony was a late scratch last night with back tightness. The Boston Red Sox will hold him out of Tuesday’s home game with the Kansas City Royals, but they hope to have their AL Rookie of the Year candidate back on Wednesday. Masataka Yoshida is expected to handle DH duties this evening.
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Staying in the AL East, the Tampa Bay Rays anticipate that Chandler Simpson will be able to take the field Tuesday after a four-game absence due to a sprained finger. The speedster reported no issues after a batting practice session prior to Monday’s game.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks continue to have injury woes with their closer as Kevin Ginkel is the latest reliever to hit the IL. After already losing Justin Martinez, A.J. Puk and Shelby Miller (injured, traded to the Brewers), Ginkel is out with a shoulder sprain. Kendall Graveman and Jalen Beeks are candidates for ninth-inning duty in the desert.
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The Minnesota Twins are expected to activate Luke Keaschall in advance of Tuesday’s road date with the Detroit Tigers. The rookie has been out since late April as a result of a broken right arm. His career was off to a blazing start, batting .368/.538/.526, albeit in just seven games. Keaschall is capable of playing both in the infield and outfield, so he may be ticketed for the super-utility role formerly filled by Willi Castro before the latter was traded to the Chicago Cubs.