News: Acuna to IL; Soto, Chourio and Happ hurt

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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Wednesday’s lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster

July 30: What you need to know for Wednesday

Todd Zola: Today’s action gets an early start with a 12:35 p.m. ET tilt. The Toronto Blue Jays aim to salvage the final game of their four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. The Orioles swept yesterday’s doubleheader, dropping the Blue Jays into a tie for the best record in the American League with the Detroit Tigers. Eight other matinees will follow that affair, leaving six contests to take place on “Trade Deadline Eve.”

• The Atlanta Braves will reportedly place Ronald Acuna Jr. on the 10-day IL today. He was lifted from last night’s contest after gingerly chasing a foul ball down the right field line. Acuna was diagnosed with Achilles tightness, and it was revealed he had been playing through the ailment. He’s scheduled for an evaluation today, after which his status will hopefully be clarified.

• Juan Soto fouled a ball off his foot in the fourth inning last night. He completed the at bat, then was removed when the New York Mets took the field in the bottom of the frame. He’s dealing with a bruised foot and is considered to be “day-to-day.”

• Ian Happ is likely heading to the 10-day IL after fouling a ball off his shin. X-rays were negative, but Happ reportedly felt dizzy after the incident, which led to his removal. The Chicago Cubs are reportedly calling up Moises Ballesteros from Triple-A Iowa to fill the open roster spot. A catcher by trade, Ballesteros will likely serve as the DH with Seiya Suzuki taking over Happ’s spot in left field. Ballesteros is batting .333/.393/.497 down on the farm.

• Jackson Chourio left last night’s game early after experiencing right hamstring spasms. After the game, he described his leg as feeling tight. The Milwaukee Brewers will have Chourio undergo evaluation today. His availability for the 2:10 p.m. ET matchup with the Cubs is in jeopardy.

• Carlos Correa left last night’s tilt after reporting lightheadedness. He initially stayed in, but after remaining dizzy, the Minnesota Twins played it safe and took the veteran out. He’s questionable for today’s 1:10 p.m. ET rubber game against the Boston Red Sox. Before yesterday’s first pitch, the club placed Byron Buxton on the 10-day IL due to left ribcage inflammation.

• Jacob Wilson was placed on the 10-day IL with a fractured left forearm. The Athletics were labeling the injury as a bruised left hand before reclassifying it yesterday. It’s unclear how long the AL Rookie of the Year candidate will be out. Max Schuemann is earmarked for most of the action at shortstop, with Darell Hernaiz called up to serve as the backup.

July 29: What you need to know for Tuesday

Todd Zola: Bonus baseball! Tuesday’s slate gets underway at 12:35 p.m. ET with the opener of a separate admission doubleheader at Camden Yards, where the Baltimore Orioles entertain the Toronto Blue Jays. The 6:35 p.m. ET nightcap kicks off the 15-game evening schedule.

• The status of Blue Jays OF George Springer is unclear after he was hit in the helmet by a 96 mph two-seamer Monday night. He walked off the field with the trainer. Springer is enjoying his best season since 2021 with a .293/.383/.510 line to go along with 12 steals, landing him as the ninth-best fantasy outfielder on the ESPN Player Rater.

• The Los Angeles Dodgers will reportedly recall infield prospect Alex Freeland from Triple-A Oklahoma City to fortify an injury-riddled infield. The 23-year-old is hitting .253/.377/.421 with 17 steals. He appeared 67 times at shortstop, 25 times at third base and once at second base. Max Muncy and Enrique Hernandez are both on the IL. Tommy Edman and Hyeseong Kim are both nursing injuries. Kim played with a sore shoulder Monday night, but Edman was scratched after hurting his ankle Sunday. He’s considered to be day-to-day.

• Eugenio Suarez was hit in the hand by a fastball in the ninth inning Monday night. The initial X-rays came back negative, but the Arizona Diamondbacks third baseman is slated for more testing today. Suarez is one of the top bats rumored to be available in advance of Thursday’s trade deadline.

• Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals left Monday night’s contest in the fifth inning due to an elbow contusion. He had been hit by a pitch in the third frame. The veteran catcher is batting .338/.376/.762 this month. His status for Tuesday night’s home date with the Atlanta Braves is unclear.

• Minnesota Twins OF Byron Buxton missed his second straight game due to left rib cartilage irritation, sitting out Monday night’s 5-4 walk off win over the Boston Red Sox. His availability Tuesday night is questionable. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. filled in for Buxton in center field and hit a two-run homer as part of a 2-for-4 evening.

• The Twins are reportedly calling up Pierson Ohl from Triple-A St. Paul to either start or serve as the primary pitcher. Chris Paddack was initially ticketed for the outing, but he was dealt to the Detroit Tigers. Ohl is a 25-year-old right-hander who started the season with Single-A Fort Myers before advancing two levels. He has fanned a total of 75 batters across the three levels, spanning 66⅓ innings. He is yet to log more than four frames in any of his 22 appearances (five starts), so Ohl will be on a pitch limit.