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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Mar 31: What you need to know for Monday
Only two teams aren't scheduled to play today with the Arizona Diamondbacks and New York Yankees resting before their three-game interleague set in the Bronx starts tomorrow. Today's MLB action begins at 2:10 PM ET with a pair of contests.
Philadelphia Phillies C J.T. Realmuto missed Sunday's affair after fouling a ball off his foot on Saturday. The club is optimistic that he'll be back in the lineup today. However, SS Trea Turner will likely miss his third straight game as he's dealing with back spasms. The club has Tuesday off and feels that the extended rest should have Turner at 100% for Wednesday. For now, Edmundo Sosa should continue to fill in.
Another pair of teammates are nursing injuries with Baltimore Orioles OF Colton Cowser and 2B/3B Jordan Westburg questionable for today's game with the Boston Red Sox. Cowser hurt his thumb late in Sunday's game and is being evaluated. Westburg missed yesterday's tilt due to an undisclosed injury, but since he was available in an emergency, the anticipation is that he'll play today.
Cleveland Guardians 3B Jose Ramirez didn't play yesterday after spraining his wrist on Saturday night. Ramirez was available for pinch-hitting duty, but his services weren't needed in the 6-2 win over the Kansas City Royals. Ramirez's status is day-to-day, with a chance he's back tonight when the Guardians open an interleague set at Petco Park against the San Diego Padres.
The Toronto Blue Jays placed RHP Max Scherzer on the IL due to right thumb inflammation. This is a lingering issue he had been dealing with all spring. The club is shutting Scherzer down for at least two weeks because continuing to throw could trigger another injury via a kinetic effect. To reduce pain, pitchers will often alter their delivery, which can lead to another injury.
Texas Rangers 3B Josh Jung was placed on the 10-day IL due to neck spasms. He didn't play in either weekend game, so this stint can be backdated, allowing Jung to return as early as April 8. Manager Bruce Bochy is hopeful that is indeed the case.
Mar 30: What you need to know for Sunday
Today is a rare Sunday without a full slate with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and New York Mets sitting this one out. Action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET with a pair of contests, culminating with the San Diego Padres hosting the Atlanta Braves in the first ESPN Sunday night affair of the season.
After 80 games, 98 homers have been clubbed this season, compared to 91 in 2024. Teams have swiped 69 bases so far, after pilfering 57 in the first 80 games last year. Clubs are averaging 4.2 runs per game in 2025 as opposed to 5.2 after 80 games last year. The difference is the current league average is .232, 34 points lower than the .256 mark posted at the same time last year.
Los Angeles Angels CF Jo Adell left yesterday's game in the fifth inning with an apparent hip injury. After the game, he described it as tightness and expressed little concern about severity. With the club releasing Mickey Moniak before opening day, Kyren Paris is the next man up if Adell misses time.
Texas Rangers 3B Josh Jung was scratched from Saturday's contest after experiencing neck spasms. Manager Bruce Bochy indicated that Jung would be out of the lineup for a few games, with Josh Smith the likely replacement.
Toronto Blue Jays SP Max Scherzer managed to throw only 45 pitches in his Toronto Blue Jays debut as he left after three innings with a lat issue. Scherzer dealt with a sore thumb most of spring training, and he stated that the lat injury and his thumb injury are related. Scherzer is likely headed for the IL, with Yariel Rodriguez likely to enter the rotation.
Hunter Goodman has drawn the first two starts behind the plate for the Colorado Rockies. It was assumed Goodman would serve as Jacob Stallings backup, but Goodman showed enough improvement defensively in the spring to earn the primary role. If Goodman maintains the starting job, he merits fantasy lineup consideration, especially when the Rockies are at home.