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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September 14: What you need to know for Sunday
Todd Zola: Sunday’s action begins early with an 11:35 a.m. ET matchup between the Washington Nationals and Pittsburgh Pirates. The teams split the first two games at Nationals Park. After a one-week hiatus, ESPN’s “Sunday Night Baseball” returns with two familiar foes hooking up for the final time this season, unless they meet in the playoffs. The New York Yankees will try to sweep the weekend set from the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
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Jose Altuve exited last night’s game in the third inning due to a sore right foot. The Houston Astros went on to defeat the Atlanta Braves 6-2 to remain tied with the Seattle Mariners atop the AL West. Altuve’s availability when the Astros try to complete the road sweep this afternoon is uncertain.
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Will Smith tried to play through a hand injury suffered on September 3 when he was hit by a foul tip, but the Los Angeles Dodgers finally decided to place their starting backstop on the 10-day IL. Smith has played only one game since the incident. Ben Rortvedt has been serving as the main catcher and should continue in that capacity. Chuckie Robinson was summoned from Triple-A Oklahoma City to be the backup behind the plate.
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The Detroit Tigers received some good news yesterday when the MRI on Tarik Skubal’s side came back negative. The club is optimistic that their ace can take the hill this week, with a start currently earmarked for Wednesday at home against the Cleveland Guardians. The Tigers enjoy a comfortable lead in the AL Central, but they’re still trying to catch the Toronto Blue Jays for the best record (and top seed) in the American League.
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A freak accident prevented Luis Arraez from finishing last night’s contest. He was hit in the head by a wild throw when taking the field in the ninth inning. Arraez stayed on the ground for a few minutes before departing. The San Diego Padres replaced Arraez with Jose Iglesias in the team’s 11-3 win over the Colorado Rockies. Arraez’s status for the finale of the four-game set at Petco Park is unclear. The Padres have captured two of the first three games.
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Ketel Marte returned to the Arizona Diamondbacks’ lineup after missing just one game as a result of a sore foot. He sat out Friday night and the imaging conducted before last night’s tilt with the Minnesota Twins was negative. Marte went 1-for-5 in the club’s 5-2 victory in 10 innings.
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The San Francisco Giants gained one bat but lost another yesterday. Jerar Encarnacion returned from the 10-day IL after having missed five weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring strain. He went 1-for-4, including a two-bagger and a pair of RBI, but it wasn’t enough as the club fell 13-7 to the Dodgers. Prior to the game, the Giants placed Dominic Smith on the 10-day IL due to a strained right hamstring.
