Orioles' lineup gets a boost; Chapman set to return for Giants

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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July 6: What you need to know for Sunday

Todd Zola: Early game alert as today’s action gets going at 11:35 a.m. ET with the Atlanta Braves hosting the Baltimore Orioles. The Sunday afternoon slate is lighter than usual with three evening affairs, including a pair of ESPN Sunday night showdowns. The first is at 6:10 p.m. ET in Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs hosting the St. Louis Cardinals followed at 9:10 p.m. ET with the San Diego Padres entertaining the Texas Rangers. The holiday weekend ends with a 10:05 interleague tussle with the San Francisco Giants visiting the Athletics.

• The Detroit Tigers may be without Gleyber Torres when they attempt to complete a three-game sweep over the Cleveland Guardians in Progressive Field. The Tigers captured a pair of one-run affairs so far this weekend and will send Tarik Skubal to the hill today. Torres was elbowed in the neck in an awkward tag play at second base and left yesterday’s game, but manager A.J. Hinch indicated that the injury isn’t serious. Torres’ .809 OPS is his highest mark since 2019 and is a key reason why the Tigers are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in MLB.

• Max Scherzer mustered only four frames in the Toronto Blue Jays 4-3 win in 11 innings over the Los Angeles Angels. Scherzer worked through thumb soreness all game, which is something he’ll have to deal with for the rest of the season. He’s slated to make another start before the break, but he could be held back until action resumes following the Midsummer Classic. Yesterday, the righty gutted out 72 pitches, fanning four with three walks while yielding two runs in those four frames. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. returned to the Blue Jays yesterday after fouling a ball off his foot on Thursday and missing Friday’s contest.

• The Milwaukee Brewers will be without Rhys Hoskins for today’s rubber game with the Miami Marlins in South Beach, and perhaps longer. Hoskins jammed his thumb while applying a tag at first base. Imaging showed no fracture, but Hoskins may not be able to grip a bat for a couple of days. Jake Bauers will likely handle first base today. The game marks the 2025 debut of Brandon Woodruff who hasn’t pitched since September 2023. The righty missed last season rehabbing from shoulder surgery, then experienced ankle and elbow issues this year, further delaying his return. Woodruff is reportedly going to be on a pitch limit.

• The already thin Orioles catching corps may be down another man with Gary Sanchez exiting yesterday’s game with a sore right knee. He was slated for an MRI last night. With today’s early start when the Orioles try to sweep the Braves, expect Jacob Stallings to be behind the plate.

• The New York Yankees reported that Clarke Schmidt is likely ticketed for Tommy John surgery, pending a second opinion. They also announced that Cameron Schlittler will be called up to fill Scmidt’s spot in the rotation, stepping in next Tuesday or Wednesday.

July 5: What you need to know for Saturday

Todd Zola: Saturday’s action gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET with the Minnesota Twins hosting the Tampa Bay Rays. However, storms are expected in the area and there could be a delay, though the game will likely play.

• Nine more matinees follow (one on Anaheim with a 7:10 PM ET start) with the four remaining games all under the lights.

• The Baltimore Orioles lineup received a couple of boosts Friday with Jordan Westburg returning after a five-game absence and Tyler O’Neill being activated from the 10-day IL. Both contributed to the club’s 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves with Westburg collecting three hits, including a home run and O’Neill going 1-for-3 with a run scored in his first MLB action since May 15.

• Zack Gelof made his 2025 debut for the Athletics last night. He was hitless in three at bats, but he scored a run and hit a sacrifice fly in the club’s 11-2 defeat of the San Francisco Giants. Gelof began the season on the IL after needing hand surgery for a hamate fracture, then he suffered a rib injury during rehab. He’s coming off a disappointing sophomore season but should benefit from the favorable hitting environment at home in Sutter Health Park.

• Shohei Ohtani is expected to work two innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers opener in Saturday’s interleague tussle with the Houston Astros. Justin Wrobleski is slated to be the primary pitcher.

• The Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves are both deploying openers Saturday, though in both cases, it will be more of a bullpen game than a bulk pitcher entering and logging a chunk of innings. Aaron Bummer will start for the Braves with the recently called up Dylan Dodd expected to be one of the ensuing relievers. Drew Pomeranz gets the opening nod for the Cubs, with Jordan Wicks slated to follow. Runs should be plentiful in the Cubs’ affair with the St. Louis Cardinals with temperatures in the low 90s and the wind blowing out in Wrigley Field.

• The Minnesota Twins also must piece together Saturday’s pitching for the slate-opening meeting with the Rays. This would have been Bailey Ober‘s turn to pitch, but he’s on the 15-day IL with inflammation in his left hip. The Twins will reportedly summon Travis Adams from Triple-A St. Paul to pitch bulk innings, though it’s unclear if he’ll start or serve as the primary pitcher. He’s working on three days of rest, and the weather may affect the usage plan.

• Matt Chapman is expected to return when the Giants take on the Athletics in Sacramento. He’s been out since June 10 and played only one rehab game, but the Giants need help for the depleted infield.

July 4: What you need to know for Friday

Todd Zola: The Independence Day schedule gets underway early with an 11:05 a.m. ET start featuring the Washington Nationals hosting the Boston Red Sox. There are six more afternoon contests (local time) followed by eight evening affairs.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers will be without 3B Max Muncy for a minimum of six weeks; he has an injured knee. Imaging indicated no structural damage, but Muncy is still facing an extended absence. Miguel Rojas, Enrique Hernandez and Tommy Edman are all expected to fill in at the hot corner.

• Los Angeles Angels rookie 2B Christian Moore was placed on the 10-day IL with a sprained left thumb. He hurt his hand while making a diving play on Wednesday. Moore batted just .189 in his first 18 games, but he hit three homers and was drawing walks at a 12.5% clip. Kevin Newman should handle the keystone with Moore out, though Luis Rengifo could also garner some action at second base once Yoan Moncada returns. Moncada may be back early next week.

• The Chicago White Sox will reportedly call up Colson Montgomery in advance of Friday’s road date with the Colorado Rockies. He’s hitting only .218/.298/.435 for Triple-A Charlotte, but the club wants to get a look at the 23-year-old shortstop. Montgomery is expected to play regularly, sliding Chase Meidroth to second base which relegates Josh Rojas to a utility role.

• Ronny Henriquez appears to have captured closing duties for the Miami Marlins. He logged the club’s last three saves, including last night with Calvin Faucher handling the eighth inning for a hold in the 4-1 win over the Minnesota Twins. Henriquez has 57 strikeouts in 41 innings. Home runs were an issue with six long balls allowed over his first 31⅔ innings, but the 25-year-old right-hander yielded just one home run over his past 9⅓ innings.

• Yesterday, Cleveland Guardians SP Luis Ortiz was placed on non-disciplinary paid leave by MLB. He’ll be unavailable through the All-Star break. Last night, Joey Cantillo was called up from Triple-A Columbus to make the start.

July 3: What you need to know for Thursday

Todd Zola: Thursday’s 10-game schedule gets started at 12:10 p.m. ET in South Beach with the Miami Marlins and Minnesota Twins playing the rubber game of their interleague set. Yesterday, the Twins snapped the Marlins’ eight-game winning streak to draw even in the series. There is one more matinee at 3:10 p.m. ET with the Colorado Rockies hosting the Houston Astros. The remaining eight contests will be played under the lights.

• After having yesterday off, 3B Royce Lewis should be back in the Twins lineup today. He returned on Tuesday after having spent a little more than two weeks on the IL due to a sore hamstring. Lewis has only played 31 games and has struggled, sporting a .206/.283/.314 line, but he was showing signs of getting back on track just before getting hurt last month.

• In other Minnesota news, SP Bailey Ober was placed on the 15-day IL as a result of a left hip impingement. Something hasn’t been right lately as the usually reliable righty had posted a 9.00 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP over five June starts. Ober will be eligible to return after the All-Star break, but the Twins have not yet announced a timetable.

• A day after announcing that OF Yordan Alvarez experienced a setback in his recovery from a fractured hand, the Astros transferred him to the 60-day IL. However, the move was for administrative purposes to clear a roster spot. He had initially been placed on the 10-day IL back on May 4, so it’s already been almost two months. On the field, RP Josh Hader was unavailable yesterday, so Bennett Sousa notched his third save in Houston’s 5-3 win over the Rockies. Hader should be available for today’s afternoon affair.

• The New York Yankees started a makeshift lineup last night with OF Trent Grisham and C Austin Wells remaining on the shelf to start the game. Both players, however, did make appearances later on in New York’s 11-9 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Aaron Judge did hit his 31st home run in the contest. Ben Rice was behind the plate last night, marking the 10th time he’s appeared at catcher and thus gaining himself eligibility at the position in ESPN leagues.

• Bo Bichette missed his third consecutive game last night — all three of Toronto’s wins over the Yankees. The shortstop is nursing a sore knee. His availability is unclear for today’s finale when the Jays go for a rare four-game sweep over their AL East rivals.

• Jurickson Profar hit a home run in his return from an 80-game suspension. He’s slated to be the Atlanta Braves‘ regular left fielder, though if the club turns it around and makes the postseason, Profar won’t be eligible for the playoff roster. Alex Verdugo‘s stint with the club ended as he was designated for assignment to clear Profar’s roster spot.

• The Braves also announced that pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach has a fractured pitching elbow and will miss at least a month of action — and likely more — though the pitcher is optimistic he can return this season. Atlanta’s rotation is already without Chris Sale (rib cage), Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) and rookie AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow).

• Josh Naylor was back in the Arizona Diamondbacks lineup last night, serving as the DH after being out for four games. Naylor went 1-for-4 with an RBI as the club fell 6-5 to the San Francisco Giants in 10 innings.

• Max Muncy hurt his knee on a play at third base last night, leaving the game with a trainer. His status is unclear, but the Los Angeles Dodgers expect Muncy to undergo imaging. Clayton Kershaw fanned the next batter to record the 3000th strikeout of his Hall of Fame career.

• The Seattle Mariners are 14 days into a 17-game stretch without an off day, so they’re bringing Logan Evans back again from Triple-A Tacoma to start tonight, pushing Bryan Woo until Friday. Evans has made seven starts for Seattle over the first half of 2025, recording a solid 3.38 ERA, but his WHIP is a gaudy 1.33 and he punched out just 30 batters over 40 MLB frames. He’ll take the hill at home in the finale of a four-game series with the Kansas City Royals. The Mariners took the first and third games of the set.