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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Monday’s lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster
Aug. 25: What you need to know for Monday
Todd Zola:It’s a busy Monday with 13 games on the docket, all evening affairs. The schedule begins at 6:35 p.m. ET with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Boston Red Sox. Early indications are that weather won’t be an issue anywhere except in Ohio, where the Cleveland Guardians are hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. That contest could encounter some rain, but they’re expected to play.
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Masyn Winn has been playing through lingering knee soreness for about a month. He was scratched from Sunday’s rubber game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Rays. Wynn’s 96 wRC+ is a step down from last season’s 104 level, and he has also slipped defensively with four defensive runs saved, trailing last season’s mark of 10. Winn is slated for imaging Monday, with the hope he’s able to return to the lineup Monday night when the club welcomes the Pittsburgh Pirates to Busch Stadium.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. pinch-hit Sunday in the Toronto Blue Jays’ 5-3 loss to the Miami Marlins. He had missed the previous four games due to a sore hamstring. Though it’s not a sure thing that Guerrero returns to the starting lineup tonight at home versus the Minnesota Twins, his appearance on Sunday lends optimism.
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Marcus Semien is facing an extended absence with the Texas Rangers reporting that imaging revealed a fracture and Lisfranc sprain in his left foot. The diagnosis is four to six weeks and, well, there are only six weeks left in the regular season. Ezequiel Duran, Josh Smith and Cody Freeman are all candidates to garner action at second base.
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Jacob deGrom is slated to take the hill Monday night when the Rangers take on the Los Angeles Angels in Arlington. The veteran righty’s last start was skipped due to left shoulder discomfort, but he completed a bullpen session on Saturday with no issues.
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Anthony Volpe will be out of the starting lineup for the second straight game when the New York Yankees open a set against the Washington Nationals in the Bronx. Volpe came in as a defensive replacement Sunday night when the Yankees salvaged the final game of a four-game series with the Red Sox. Volpe is getting a “mental break”, as he has gone hitless in his prior 14 at-bats while being mired in a slump, batting just .171/.203/.378 since July 1.
Aug. 24: What you need to know for Sunday
The Texas Rangers placed 2B Marcus Semien on the IL. AP Photo/Charlie Riedel
Todd Zola: A pair of early games kick off today’s action. First, the Pittsburgh Pirates host the Colorado Rockies at 12:05 p.m. Five minutes later, the Tampa Bay Rays entertain the St. Louis Cardinals. The ESPN Sunday night affair features the New York Yankees trying to avoid a rare four-game sweep at home as they face the Boston Red Sox.
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For just the second time in his 13-year career, Marcus Semien requires a visit to the injured list. The durable second baseman was slated to be examined yesterday after he fouled a ball off his foot on Friday, but the Texas Rangers didn’t wait for the results, placing Semien on the 10-day IL. Cody Freeman covered the keystone yesterday, though Ezequiel Duran and Josh Smith may help fill in.
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Yesterday, the San Diego Padres finally placed Jackson Merrill on the 10-day IL. He missed the five previous games with a sprained left ankle. Ramon Laureano should remain the center fielder with Gavin Sheets garnering more action. Sheets was on the bench a lot after the club acquired Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn at the trade deadline.
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Brandon Nimmo missed his third straight game last night as he’s nursing a sore neck. Starling Marte has filled in as the New York Mets left fielder. Nimmo’s status for today’s road date with the Atlanta Braves is unclear. The club has also been without Luis Torrens for three games as the starting backstop is dealing with left hand soreness. He’s also questionable for today, with Hayden Senger in line to garner another start behind the plate.
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The Milwaukee Brewers’ middle infield is already down a man with shortstop Joey Ortiz, and now they may be without his double-play partner. Brice Turang missed last night’s contest after being hit by a pitch in the wrist on Friday. Chad Durbin shifted from third base to second base with Anthony Seigler backfilling the hot corner. If Turang can’t take the field today at home against the San Francisco Giants, look for the same arrangement.
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Victor Robles was back in action for the Seattle Mariners last night. He has been out since early April with a fractured shoulder. Robles was handed a 10-game suspension for throwing his bat at the pitcher during a minor league rehab game, but he’s appealing and is eligible to play until MLB hears his case.