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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March 27: Friday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Friday usually features a full slate, but during this opening week, when weather could have been be an issue, the league’s schedule-makers left the day open — just in case yesterday’s Opening Day needed to be postponed. As such, there are only eight games, with the first scheduled for 4:35 p.m. ET when the San Francisco Giants look to even their series against the New York Yankees. The remaining seven games are under the lights.
Pavin Smith was scratched due to elbow soreness before last night’s NL West affair between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. Tim Tawa served as the team’s DH. Smith is scheduled for an MRI today.
With Kyle Stowers and Esteury Ruiz both starting the season on the IL, the Miami Marlins signed Austin Slater for outfield depth and to serve as a right-handed complement to their largely left-handed outfield/DH pool. Slater will likely be in the lineup this evening when lefty Kyle Freeland gets the Colorado Rockies’ Opening Day nod in South Beach.
In addition to the Rockies and Marlins, Friday marks “Opening Day” for the Kansas City Royals and Atlanta Braves in Atlanta, as well as the Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto.
It appears that Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt will rely on matchups and choose between CJ Kayfus, Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez for an outfield spot. Kayfus and Schneemann are lefties while Martinez is a switch-hitter, so he’ll likely face left-handers. Last night, Schneemann collected the start, but was replaced by Martinez when the Seattle Mariners brought in a left-handed reliever.
With Jeremy Pena beginning the season on the Houston Astros’ active roster, it was assumed that he was set to play in yesterday’s opener against the Los Angeles Angels. However, it turns out that he wasn’t quite ready for game action. Still, the club clearly felt it won’t be long and did not feel the need to place him on the IL. Pena spent yesterday getting live at-bats at their affiliate, Triple-A Sugar Land and is listed as day-to-day. If he’s unable to play tonight, Carlos Correa will again handle shortstop, with Isaac Paredes manning the hot corner.
March 26: Jackson Chourio to start season on IL
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
The Milwaukee Brewers will start the 2026 season shorthanded. Chourio, who was hit by a pitch in a March 4 World Baseball Classic game, has been diagnosed with a small hairline fracture and will miss the first 2-4 weeks of the season. The Brewers unexpectedly placed him on the 10-day IL on Thursday, meaning they’ll be without their leadoff man, a 20/20 player in both 2024 and 2025.
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Chourio’s fantasy managers should remain patient through his absence, with the hopes that he’ll be back in action sometime around April 16, but his IL placement opens up opportunities for other Brewers players. Sal Frelick, the team’s usual right fielder, figures to lead off in the short term, boosting his counting-number potential (runs scored especially). Christian Yelich, who might otherwise have been ticketed for DH duty, should now see some starts in the outfield, giving him a chance to capture eligibility there quickly (he’ll need 10 games there to qualify).
Garrett Mitchell and Jake Bauers should also see an uptick in playing time while Chourio is sidelined, helping their fantasy appeal in 15-plus-team mixed and NL-only leagues. Mitchell’s plate discipline and speed make him an ideal pickup in points leagues of at least that depth.
Replacing Chourio’s production in standard rotisserie leagues won’t be easy, as not many players possess his power/speed ability. Fortunately, at this stage of the season, there are a multitude of upside-oriented outfielders to consider as short-term pickups, some of which might develop into players you’ll want to keep around. Consider adding Lawrence Butler and Brenton Doyle, if you’re attempting to mirror Chourio’s statistical output. If power is more of what you need, Jac Caglianone and Addison Barger are worth your while. If it’s speed that you need, Jose Caballero and Chandler Simpson warrant pickups.
March 26: Thursday morning’s roster news
By Todd Zola
There are 11 games on the docket, beginning at 1:15 p.m. ET when Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates take on Freddy Peralta and the New York Mets at Citi Field. With the New York Yankees and San Francisco Giants opening the season Wednesday night, there are still six teams that won’t play their first game until Friday.
The only game that might be affected by weather is in the Windy City where the Chicago Cubs are set to host the Washington Nationals at 2:20 p.m. ET. Rain is expected, although it will likely hold off until the later innings. The wind is forecast to be blowing in, with occasional gusts.
Leo Rivas will be at shortstop when the Seattle Mariners entertain the Cleveland Guardians. J.P. Crawford will open the season on the 10-day IL due to lingering right shoulder inflammation. He received a cortisone injection last week but isn’t ready for action. There were some murmurs that rookie Colt Emerson might fill in, but the Mariners opted to go with Rivas and sent the youngster back to the minors for some more seasoning.
Emerson might have to wait for his first MLB action, but three other top prospects will debut. Carson Benge will be in right field for the Mets. His first at-bat will likely be against Skenes. Welcome to The Show, kid! Kevin McGonigle, one of the top prospects in baseball will start at shortstop for the Detroit Tigers on the road against the San Diego Padres. JJ Wetherholt will be the starting second baseman and likely leadoff hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals in the opener against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Jeremy Pena’s Opening Day was put in jeopardy after he fractured his fingertip during fielding practice for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic, but he has been cleared and will be in the lineup when the Houston Astros welcome the Los Angeles Angels to Daikin Park for their opener.
