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 28: Reasons for concern with Tyler Glasnow
Stephania Bell: Glasnow summed it up best as he spoke to reporters following his early exit from Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates: "It's just kind of getting exhausting at this point."
"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.
April 28: What you need to know for Monday
Todd Zola: Today's eight-game schedule begins at the unusual time of 4:05 PM ET with a wraparound game between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals in the nation's capital. The Nationals have won two of the three games in the four-game set with late rallies in both victories.
It's unclear who would close for the Cleveland Guardians tonight (if needed) in the opener of their three-game set with the Minnesota Twins at Progressive Field. Emmanuel Clase tossed a clean eighth inning in Game 1 of Saturday's doubleheader, but Cade Smith collected three saves last week while Clase nursed a sore shoulder. Neither were needed in yesterday's nightcap, a 13-3 blowout loss to the Boston Red Sox. With the abbreviated Monday schedule, deploying both Smith and Clase is a viable approach.
Yesterday, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated that Devin Williams will get a temporary reprieve from closing duties, with Luke Weaver taking over the ninth-inning responsibilities. Boone wants to eventually return Williams to the role, but he needs him to earn the opportunity.
The Baltimore Orioles enter today's opener with the Yankees a bit banged up as both Jordan Westburg and Adley Rutschman missed yesterday's contest. Westburg is nursing a sore hamstring while Rutschman is dealing with a sore hand. Both are considered to be day-to-day. Cedric Mullins, who was under the weather. also sat out Sunday's action.
After a slow start, Cincinnati Reds 3B Noelvi Marte has hit .469/.500/.875 over his last seven games, including a weekend series in Coors Field. He's also swiped three bases in four tries, helping capture regular playing time at the hot corner. However, even after the productive series against the Rockies, Marte is still available in almost 80% of ESPN leagues.
The Detroit Tigers used a new lineup over the weekend and, since they won games against the Orioles on both Saturday and Sunday, they'll likely deploy it again tonight against Houston Astros RHP Ronel Blanco. Kerry Carpenter has been batting leadoff, followed by Gleyber Torres, Zach McKinstry, Riley Greene, Spencer Torkelson and Josh Jung. Carpenter and McKinstry are the main beneficiaries of the new order while Colt Keith is the odd man out.
April 27: What you need to know for Sunday
Todd Zola: Sunday's 16-game slate features a doubleheader in the Bronx with the New York Yankees hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. The opener is one of two games opening action at 1:35 PM ET. The ESPN Sunday night game is a Wrigley Field affair between the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies.
The Seattle Mariners are down another frontline starter after placing RHP Logan Gilbert on the 15-day IL with a Grade 1 flexor strain. The righty will be shut down for two weeks before being reevaluated. The club is already without RHP George Kirby, who is sidelined for at least another month with right shoulder inflammation, though fellow RHP Emerson Hancock has been filling in for Kirby. Today, 23-year-old RHP Logan Evans is being promoted to start today's home date with the Miami Marlins. Evans sports a 3.86 ERA and 1.27 ERA in five starts with 24 strikeouts to only four walks in 25 2/3 innings for Triple-A Tacoma. Evans could stay in the rotation for another month with a strong effort.
Boston Red Sox 1B Triston Casas is on the bench to begin today's game. He's yet to start with a southpaw on the hill, which has occurred only six times this season. Last year, Casas handled left-handed pitching better than righties, sporting a .856 OPS without the platoon edge and .795 with it. In 90 plate appearances with a righty on the hill this season, Casas' OPS is just .449. Take this with a small sample grain of salt, his OPS in just nine trips to the dish facing left-handers is 1.917. Once Casas gets going facing right-handers, he'll probably escape being in a platoon.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone reported that he's relieving RHP Devin Williams of closing duties until he gets back on track. Williams sports a 11.25 ERA and 2.38 WHIP with only eight strikeouts to seven walks in eight frames. A .429 BABIP indicates Williams has been victimized by some batted ball misfortune, but his 2.3% K-BB% demonstrates he's not sharp. His career mark was 27.6% heading into the season.
Cleveland Guardians RHP Emmanuel Clase collected his first hold since 2021 yesterday in the opener of the club's doubleheader with the Red Sox. Clase last pitched the previous Sunday as he was idle for almost a week with shoulder soreness. Cade Smith took over as closer, notching three saves last week, including Game 1 yesterday. Clase should return to the role, perhaps as early as today.