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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July 2: What you need to know for Wednesday
Todd Zola: Somewhere, Ernie Banks is smiling. The Chicago Cubs aren't playing two, but there are three doubleheaders on Wednesday's docket, along with the resumption of a suspended game. All four games fell victim to last night's rain along the Atlantic Coast.
The doubleheaders are all day-night affairs, featuring the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the San Diego Padres, the Washington Nationals entertaining the Detroit Tigers and the New York Mets taking on the Milwaukee Brewers. In addition, the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds will pick up their suspended game in the top of the fourth inning with the Red Sox up 2-1. In ESPN leagues, only players active on Tuesday will accrue statistics from the resumption of the contest.
The slate's first game gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Athletics. Of the 18 full games, 13 are evening affairs.
An already depleted Baltimore Orioles catching corps may be down another player after Gary Sanchez took a foul tip off his hand Tuesday night. Sanchez has been filling in for Adley Rutschman, who is out until at least the All-Star break. With reserves Chadwick Tromp and Maverick Handley also on the shelf, the club called up journeyman Jacob Stallings to be the backup. The Orioles are hopeful that Sanchez can play today, but it merits keeping an eye on the lineups as they come out.
William Contreras left Tuesday's night's game after being hit in the hand by a Paul Skenes fastball. Initial X-rays were negative and Contreras was listed as questionable for today's matinee when the St. Louis Cardinals attempt to avoid being swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. With a 12:25 p.m. ET first pitch, it wouldn't be surprising for Contreras to sit out, then return on Friday after Thursday's off day.
After initially indicating that C Hunter Goodman was ticketed for the IL, the Colorado Rockies reversed course and Goodman was back in the lineup last night after missing four straight games with a hamstring injury. He hit two home runs.
On the other hand, Josh Naylor was in the Arizona Diamondbacks' original lineup, but he was a late scratch with lingering neck soreness. Naylor missed his fourth consecutive contest.
The Houston Astros announced that OF Yordan Alvarez suffered a setback in his recovery from a fractured right hand. He had been tracking toward a return, perhaps as soon as this weekend. Alvarez is scheduled to see a specialist, at which time his status will hopefully be clarified.
Jacob Wilson was scratched Tuesday night due to a sore right hamstring. The Athletics shortstop has emerged as one of the leading candidates for AL Rookie of the Year with a first half line of .339/.380/.473, along with solid defense. Manager Mark Kotsay indicated that Wilson will probably be held out of Wednesday's afternoon affair with the Rays.
July 1: What you need to know for Tuesday
Todd Zola: In the United States, it's Bobby Bonilla Day. North of the border, it's Canada Day, with the Toronto Blue Jays hosting the New York Yankees at 3:07 p.m. ET. The typical Tuesday evening docket starts at 6:35 p.m. ET, with the first of 14 more games.
Rain has been a recurring theme over the first half, so it's not a surprise that July begins with several games in jeopardy due to bad weather. The game between the Washington Nationals and the Detroit Tigers is most likely to be delayed or postponed, followed by the Philadelphia Phillies and San Diego Padres at Citizens Bank Park. Everything on the Atlantic coast will be dealing with the threat of rain.
The Blue Jays played shorthanded last night with Bo Bichette getting scratched after stepping on a baseball in warmups and George Springer leaving early after an awkward slide into third base. However, both were expected to be in the lineup for Tuesday's matinee with the Yankees, but Bichette is not in the starting lineup.
The Yankees also lost a starter in last night's 5-4 loss to the Blue Jays with Trent Grisham exiting early due to a sore hamstring. Grisham was replaced by Jasson Dominguez. With Giancarlo Stanton back, the club has been rotating Grisham, Dominguez, Ben Rice and Paul Goldschmidt. Grisham is listed as day-to-day, but if he misses more action, Dominguez would likely be the regular replacement.
The Atlanta Braves have shuffled their rotation, flip-flopping Grant Holmes and Didier Fuentes with Holmes taking the hill (weather permitting) tonight at home against the Los Angeles Angels. The switch keeps Holmes on four days of rest while giving the 20-year-old Fuentes extended rest between outings.
The Baltimore Orioles have scratched Charlie Morton from Tuesday night's scheduled start. The veteran is dealing with low-grade right elbow tendinitis, so Brandon Young will take the hill in Arlington against the Texas Rangers. The club hopes that Morton can return on Friday.
The Colorado Rockies are about to launch a six-game homestand, but they'll be without C Hunter Goodman, their best hitter over the season's first half. Goodman is ticketed for the IL as a result of a sore hamstring. He has already missed the past four games. Braxton Fulford will take over as the primary backstop with journeyman Austin Nola being summoned from Triple-A Albuquerque to serve as the backup.
The Athletics called up OF Colby Thomas from Triple-A Las Vegas. JJ Bleday was optioned as the corresponding move. Thomas is one of the top Athletics prospects. He was hitting .301/.368/.549 with seven steals in 75 games with the Aviators. As a right-handed hitter, Thomas could be a platoon partner for Tyler Soderstrom or Lawrence Butler, but initially will be confined to pinch hitting against left-handed relievers, while occasionally subbing for CF Denzel Clarke. Clarke is batting only .198/.243/.277 but has generated seven defensive runs saved while scoring high in Statcast's defensive measures.