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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May 11: Monday's news to know
By Todd Zola
A light, six-game schedule gets going at 6:10 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Guardians hosting the Los Angeles Angels. Expect a low-scoring game at Progressive Field with chilly temperatures and the wind blowing in from center. The slate's final game will get underway at 10:10 p.m. ET with the Los Angeles Dodgers hosting the San Francisco Giants.
The Dodgers-Giants game features the return of Mookie Betts. Betts has been out for about five weeks due to a strained right oblique. He went on a short, two-game rehab assignment and is expected to be back at shortstop and hitting out of the two-hole for the Dodgers this evening.
Betts will be facing Trevor McDonald, who has been tabbed to replace Logan Webb while he is on the 15-day IL. McDonald was impressive in his first start, tossing seven innings of one-run ball against the San Diego Padres, fanning eight and issuing no walks. He catches the defending World Series champions amid a 4-7 stretch, including a pair of 7-2 losses to the Atlanta Braves over the weekend.
The Angels will hope Alek Manoah benefits from the favorable pitching conditions as he's set to serve as the primary pitcher, after not appearing in the majors since 2024. His once-promising career with the Toronto Blue Jays was curtailed by internal brace surgery, with the Angels taking the chance he can recapture something close to his 2022 form when he finished third in the AL Cy Young voting. Grayson Rodriguez was solid in his first rehab effort yesterday, so Manoah will have only a couple of chances to show he deserves to stay in the big leagues.
Ryan Weathers will be pitching on extended rest tonight after he was scratched last Thursday due to illness. He was able to throw a bullpen session over the weekend and was given the green light by the New York Yankees to take the hill in Camden Yards for a road date with the Baltimore Orioles. Despite being one of the top starters over the first quarter of the season, Weathers' time in the rotation could be winding down with Gerrit Cole throwing 77 pitches in his fifth rehab outing yesterday. He's likely going to stay on rehab for one or two more starts as he completes his recovery from Tommy John surgery, but it won't be long before the Yankees have the pleasant problem of too many quality arms for their rotation.
The Blue Jays might be without Addison Barger again after he underwent an MRI on his sore right elbow yesterday. The author of a 101.2 mph throw to erase a runner at home on Saturday had just returned from missing a month of action due to injuries to both of his ankles. His status for tonight's home matchup with the Tampa Bay Rays is uncertain.
Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.
May 10: Sunday's news to know
By Todd Zola
Today's schedule gets an early start with a 12:15 p.m. ET game in South Beach, where the Miami Marlins are hosting the Washington Nationals. The standard 13 matinees are staggered throughout the afternoon, capped off by the Kansas City Royals hosting the Detroit Tigers in the final game of this transaction period at 7:20 p.m. ET.
Several teams are deploying a non-traditional starter today, including a "Johnny Bullpen" game at Target Field, with the Minnesota Twins giving the ball to Andrew Morris before using a parade of relievers. Three other teams are going the opener-primary pitcher route, beginning with the Toronto Blue Jays opening with Spencer Miles before turning to Eric Lauer for bulk innings. The New York Mets are following suit with Huascar Brazoban and David Peterson in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Tigers are giving the ball to Brenan Hanifee then passing the baton to Drew Anderson.
The Twins need to piecemeal today's pitching after placing Taj Bradley on the 15-day IL due to right pectoral inflammation. He apparently suffered the injury during his Tuesday start last week. It's unclear how long he'll be sidelined, with Zebby Matthews the likely replacement. However, Matthews tossed eight innings on Friday night, so they need a plan for today.
The New York Yankees are getting a rotation boost today, with Carlos Rodon making his 2026 debut in their road matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers. Rodon has been out after undergoing surgery last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his throwing elbow. The club opted to bring the southpaw along slowly, but he's ready to return after three rehab appearances. Rodon was hit hard in his last outing, but he threw 83 pitches over 6 1/3 innings, so he should be able to work without a pitch limit.
Kerry Carpenter left yesterday's game in the first inning after colliding with the right field wall on a play that resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Bobby Witt Jr. His status for tonight's game is unclear, but with the Royals starting lefty Noah Cameron, the Tigers would likely start the game with Carpenter on the bench.
Bryce Harper had to leave yesterday's game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies in the first inning with a migraine. His status for today's series finale is unclear.
The Chicago White Sox scratched Andrew Benintendi before last night's game due to back stiffness. The veteran opened the season hitting .167/.245/.271 after 17 games, but has batted .284/.292/.433 over his last 20 appearances. If Benintendi can't play today against the Seattle Mariners, Randall Grichuk is the likely replacement at designated hitter.