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 15: What you need to know for Tuesday
Todd Zola: Tuesday's 15-game docket kicks off at 6:40 PM ET with a trio of games. The slate features a battle of first place teams with the NL Central-leading Chicago Cubs visiting the NL West's frontrunning San Diego Padres. The Padres have yet to lose at home this season, capturing all 11 Petco Park games played thus far.
Colorado Rockies OF Brenton Doyle experienced lingering soreness in his quad during pregame warmups before last night's game, keeping him out for the fourth straight contest. A decision will be made today regarding a possible IL stint. The Rockies have two more games left in their road series against the Los Angeles Dodgers before returning home for a weekend trio with the Washington Nationals.
The Atlanta Braves will be without DH Marcell Ozuna until at least Friday. Ozuna did not accompany the club across the border for their midweek interleague set with the Toronto Blue Jays and, after an MRI revealed hip inflammation, Ozuna will stay in Atlanta. The club has two more games in the Rogers Centre, then an off day on Thursday before entertaining the Minnesota Twins on Friday.
The New York Mets will be without OF Jose Siri for an extended period, as Siri was placed on the 10-day IL due to a fractured left tibia. Siri was off to a .050/.208/.100 start and was beginning to lose playing time. Tyrone Taylor will be the main beneficiary, with Starling Marte also garnering more action.
The Philadelphia Phillies shuffled their lineup last night, moving 2B Bryson Stott to leadoff while dropping Kyle Schwarber to cleanup. The change didn't help as the club lost 10-4 at home to the San Francisco Giants. It's not known how long manager Rob Thomson will stick with the shuffle. The Phillies enter Tuesday's action averaging the 12th-fewest runs per game.
April 14: Justin Steele done for the year
Stephania Bell: It turns out the episode of forearm soreness that Steele experienced in late 2024 was an indicator of things to come, as his 2025 season has come to an abrupt conclusion. He went from being placed on the 15-day IL after feeling discomfort in his last start to preparing to undergo surgery Friday on his left elbow to repair a torn flexor tendon and address any associated injury to the UCL, per Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Dr. Keith Meister will perform the surgery and will decide during the procedure what the extent will be, specifically whether the UCL requires a repair or a full reconstruction. Since Steele underwent Tommy John surgery originally in 2017 while in the minor leagues, a second such reconstructive procedure -- should it be required -- would be classified as a revision.
His case is illustrative of the scenario for so many pitchers: stress on the medial (inner) elbow from repeated throwing places all structures that reinforce that side under major stress. The flexor tendon (which is the attachment point to the elbow for the flexor-pronator muscle group, the muscles responsible for flexing the wrist, rotating the forearm and, most importantly for pitchers, controlling grip) is often injured in association with the UCL.
Especially in an athlete who has undergone prior elbow surgery, imaging may not provide a complete picture, as the tissues involved are already altered and the presence of swelling may further cloud the issue. The surgeon also needs to visually inspect the graft construct in the operating room to assess the tissue quality and extent of damage in order to determine what makes the most sense from a surgical repair standpoint.
Even if Steele were to undergo a repair with InternalBrace, the fact that this is Steele's second major elbow surgery (combined with the addition of the flexor tendon repair) warrants a bit more caution during the rehab process. While a better projection of a timeline will emerge after surgery is complete, the successful return of pitchers following a second major elbow surgery in recent years tells us that revision procedures are improving and there is reason to be optimistic that Steele will be able to make it back.
April 14: What you need to know for Monday
Todd Zola: Monday's 10-game slate gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET with Brad Lord and the Washington Nationals visiting Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
As Stephania noted, the Chicago Cubs will be without LHP Justin Steele for the remainder of the 2025 season and perhaps part of next year, too. RHP Colin Rea is the likely replacement until RHP Javier Assad can return from an oblique issue. The club needs RHP Ben Brown to step up and help fill the void.
Toronto Blue Jays OF George Springer is questionable for tonight's home interleague affair with the Atlanta Braves. Springer hurt his wrist yesterday and left the game early. Postgame X-rays were negative. He's due for further evaluation today.
Colorado Rockies OF Brenton Doyle missed his third straight game as he nurses a tight left quad. He's questionable for tonight's road date with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club returns home on Friday for a weekend set with the Nationals.
The Rockies promoted 2B Adael Amador, one of their top prospects, in advance of yesterday's series finale in San Diego. Amador took the roster spot vacated when Tyler Freeman was placed on the 10-day IL for a sore oblique. Amador will compete with Kyle Farmer for time at the keystone.
Those playing in weekly leagues will want to activate Braves RHP Spencer Strider this week as he's set to debut on Wednesday on the road against the Blue Jays. Strider has been dominant in three rehab efforts, fanning 27 while walking five in 13 2/3 frames with Triple-A Gwinnett. Strider is returning from having the InternalBrace procedure on his right elbow. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019.