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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April 30: What you need to know for Wednesday
Todd Zola: April ends with bonus baseball as last night's washout between the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Cardinals will be made up today, with the opener kicking off Wednesday's action at 12:40 PM ET. Five more afternoon games ensue, with the remaining 10 contests all being evening affairs.
Since neither of yesterday's scheduled starters warmed up, both RHP Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals and Brady Singer for the Reds will start Game 1. St. Louis will send LHP Steven Matz to the hill for the nightcap, with the Reds promoting RHP Chase Petty from Triple-A Louisville to make his MLB debut in Game 2. Petty has made five starts this season, spanning 23 innings. He has fanned 27 while issuing nine walks, resulting in a 3.52 ERA and 1.30 WHIP. The 22-year-old righty isn't a top prospect but could develop into a mid-to-back end of the rotation guy. Petty is up as the 27th man and is likely ticketed to return to the farm after the game. There is no word on why the Reds are skipping RHP Andrew Abbott this time through the rotation.
The New York Yankees will be without 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. for the rubber game of their three-game set with the Baltimore Orioles today at Camden Yards. Chisholm left last night's meeting due to a right oblique injury. He's not scheduled for evaluation until tomorrow, indicating that he won't play today.
The Kansas City Royals have scratched LHP Cole Ragans from today's start and the club will instead summon LHP Noah Cameron from Triple-A Omaha. Ragans managed only three innings in his last outing due to a mild left groin strain. He felt better every day but is unable to take the hill today. The club is hopeful that Ragans will miss just the one start. Cameron will make his MLB debut after posting a 3.22 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP over 22 1/3 innings for the Storm Chasers, punching out 27 while issuing eight walks. The 25-year-old southpaw is one of the Royals' top prospects. It was always expected that he'd be called up at some point this season.
April 29: What you need to know for Tuesday
Todd Zola: Tuesday's full 15-game slate will be contested under the lights. The first game is at 6:10 PM ET with the Cleveland Guardians hosting the Minnesota Twins.
Houston Astros OF Yordan Alvarez left last night's affair in the seventh inning. He appeared to be in discomfort after an awkward slide into second base earlier in the game. There is no word on the type or severity of the injury, and his removal may have been precautionary with the club winning by five runs. Consider Alvarez questionable for tonight's home date with the Detroit Tigers.
Staying with the Astros, SS Jeremy Pena has hit leadoff for the past two games, with 2B Jose Altuve dropped to second. Altuve requested being dropped a spot, since having to come in from left field cost him some time preparing when he was leading off the next half inning. Pena's OBP isn't akin to the typical leadoff batter, but he's showing more patience this season and can steal a base. So far, he's 4-for-9 with two runs and three RBI at the top of the lineup.
The Los Angeles Dodgers placed RHP Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day IL with right shoulder inflammation. The club is hoping for a minimum stint but also wants to be sure Glasnow is healthy when he returns. A starter is needed for tonight's game, with the likelihood of a bullpen affair. RHP Ben Casparius is in the mix to replace Glasnow in the rotation, but after throwing 54 pitches on Sunday, the 26-year-old righty wouldn't slot in until Saturday, and he's not fully stretched out.
The Baltimore Orioles will be without 2B/3B Jordan Westburg after placing him on the 10-day IL yesterday, as Westburg is nursing a left hamstring sprain. The club was able to backdate the visit one day, but it's unclear whether Westburg will be ready on May 7 when he's first eligible to return. Ramon Urias will likely collect more action at the hot corner, unless the Orioles opt to promote top prospect Coby Mayo from Triple-A Norfolk. For the season Mayo is batting .256/.361/.500, but over his last 17 games, he's at .303/.397/.591.
Cincinnati Reds 1B/3B Jeimer Candelario is the odd man out, now that the club is healthy along with the emergence of 3B Noelvi Marte. Spencer Steer, Gavin Lux, Austin Hays and Marte will play nearly every day with Candelario, and his .411 OPS relegated to a reserve role.
April 28: Reasons for concern with Tyler Glasnow
"It" refers to the litany of injuries that Glasnow has experienced across his career, ranging from the minor (such as leg cramping in his previous start) to the most severe for a pitcher, Tommy John surgery (which he had back in 2021). Where this latest injury ranks is unclear but early hints from Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts -- that they need to get him to a place where both parties feel comfortable he can go back on the mound and be "the guy that he's capable of being" -- is perhaps more ominous than it sounds.
Glasnow, just over a year removed from his return from TJ surgery, developed what was termed as tendinitis in his throwing elbow and missed the 2024 postseason. He told reporters on Sunday that he made an effort to both change his mechanics and change his preparation for this season in an effort to stay healthy... only to then develop a shoulder issue.
Unfortunately, one of the more common sequelae (consequences of a previous disease or injury) subsequent to Tommy John surgery is a shoulder injury and there can be multiple potential contributing factors. A shift in mechanics either before elbow ligament failure (as a means of compensating to avoid pain and/or maintain power) or after (in an effort to avoid repeat stress on the elbow) combined with the wear and tear on the shoulder after years of pitching are primary culprits.
Hopefully for Glasnow, this is a discomfort issue rather than a major structural issue and the symptoms resolve quickly. Even if that is the case, it may take longer for him to find the space where he feels he can pitch naturally and effectively without compromising his musculoskeletal health in other areas.
Read more from Stephania Bell on how to think like an injury expert.