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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Aug. 26: Wednesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Six matinees populate today's slate, with the first contest beginning at 1:10 p.m. ET with the Detroit Tigers hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. The evening slate gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET.
Byron Buxton left last night's game in the seventh inning after he was unable to cut off a ball hit into the right-center field gap. He pulled up lame and was seemingly holding his right hip. Buxton most recently missed 15 games due to a right hip injury beginning in late July. More should be known about his status today. The Minnesota Twins are in Sacramento for a series against the Athletics.
Shane Bieber was placed on the 15-day IL yesterday after being diagnosed with an inflamed right teres major. He was scheduled to start tonight for the Toronto Blue Jays, but now he's looking at a multiweek absence. Spencer Miles is listed as tonight's starter in what's expected to be a bullpen game at home against the Kansas City Royals.
Adley Rutschman missed last night's contest after hyperextending his elbow while swinging on Monday night. The Boston Red Sox do not believe the injury is serious, but they opted to use Connor Wong behind the plate in last night's 7-3, 10th-inning win against the Miami Marlins.
The New York Yankees are shuffling their rotation so that Cam Schlittler can face the Red Sox during their important weekend series in the Bronx. Elmer Rodriguez is expected to get the nod tonight when the Yankees host the Houston Astros. He could stay in the rotation for at least another turn with the Yankees and Red Sox scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday.
The Colorado Rockies activated Hunter Goodman after a minimum stint on the 10-day IL due to a strained left shoulder. The slugging catcher was slumping before the injury, but overall, he's been a bright spot for the Rockies this season, setting a career high with 34 homers, three more than in his breakthrough 2025 season.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
Aug. 25: Tuesday's news to know
By Todd Zola
A pair of 6:40 p.m. ET tilts get tonight's 15-game slate started. Temperatures in most places continue to be cool, as evidenced by the expected game totals. Seven of the contests have totals of 7.0 or 7.5, with seven more at 8.0 or 8.5. Only the Athletics hosting the Minnesota Twins reaches double digits.
Chase DeLauter was scratched from last night's game between the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. He reported a tight hamstring and was replaced by Angel Martinez, who went 1-for-4 with a double in the Guardians' 4-2 win. DeLauter is in the AL Rookie-of-the-Year conversation with an .813 OPS, 13 homers and nine steals over 110 games.
Trevor Story was expected to accompany the Boston Red Sox for their series in South Beach against the Miami Marlins, but he instead stayed behind to continue rehabbing with Triple-A Worcester. He will likely meet up with the club in the Bronx for its weekend series with the New York Yankees.
Not only did the Marlins lose last night's interleague game, but they may have also lost closer Pete Fairbanks. He entered in the top of the ninth of a 2-2 game, then walked Mickey Gasper. He signaled to the dugout before leaving the field with the trainer. Adding insult to injury, Gasper came around to score the eventual game-winning run. Fairbanks has been diagnosed with nerve irritation for the second time this season. The first time was in late April, which required just the minimum 15-day IL stint.
The San Francisco Giants placed Willy Adames on the 10-day IL due to a sprained left elbow. The injury is expected to keep him out longer than the minimum stay. Osleivis Basabe and Christian Koss will handle the left side of the infield while Adames is sidelined. The club will also be without Bryce Eldridge for the next three games after he was placed on the bereavement list. He's permitted to miss up to seven games but is expected to rejoin the club as early as Thursday when the Giants open a home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.