Buxton's possible return and more of Monday's news...

Fantasy baseball: Buxton’s possible return and more Monday news to knowByron Buxton’s recovery from a sore hip appears to have rounded the corner. Nick Wosika/Icon SportswireESPN FantasyMay 18, 2026, 10:37 AM ETClose

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May 18: Monday’s news to know

By Todd Zola

It’s a busy Monday, with only the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals sitting this one out. All 14 scheduled games are evening affairs, with four getting underway at 6:40 p.m. ET.

Byron Buxton participated in pregame workouts over the weekend but still hasn’t appeared in a game since last Wednesday due to a sore hip. He’s set to work out before tonight’s game, after which the Minnesota Twins will decide if he’s ready to return for their home affair with the Houston Astros.

The Twins aren’t the only team hopeful for the return of a key player, with the Astros possibly activating SS Jeremy Pena before tonight’s matchup at Target Field. He traveled with the team after concluding rehab for a neck issue over the weekend. Pena could take Jose Altuve’s roster spot, as the veteran was placed on the IL due to an oblique strain.

Christian Yelich returned to the Milwaukee Brewers’ lineup yesterday, going 1-for-5 with a home run. He had missed the previous four games thanks to a sore back. The short-term plan is for Yelich to receive more frequent days off, so it will be necessary to check pregame lineups before locking him in your fantasy lineups.

The Texas Rangers will be without Corey Seager for at least one game, as he left the team to return to Arlington and visit a back specialist after undergoing an MRI on Sunday. It’s unfortunate timing with the Rangers set to open a series against the Colorado Rockies. However, while things are warming up for most of the country, the forecast calls for a gametime temperature in the low 40s with the wind blowing in at Coors Field. As such, homers could be suppressed, but runs should not be affected.

Ryan O’Hearn was placed on the 10-day IL due to a moderate quad strain that’s expected to keep him out for around a month. The Pirates will miss his .827 OPS through 44 games. Jhostynxon Garcia is expected to be called up prior to Tuesday’s game with the Cardinals. He’s batting .368/.432/.895 this month for Triple-A Indianapolis and could see time in the outfield while O’Hearn is out.

Be sure to check out the newest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.

May 17: Sunday’s news to know

Robert Gasser is reportedly being called up by the Brewers to start today. Jeff Hanisch-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday’s games get an early start with a 12:15 p.m. ET first pitch in the rubber game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Miami Marlins at Tropicana Field. Fantasy Week 7 concludes with the slate’s sole evening affair that will feature the Seattle Mariners trying to fend off being swept on the road by the San Diego Padres at 7:20 p.m. ET.

The Rays will be without Jake Fraley as he’s slated to be placed on the 10-day IL with a hernia, likely keeping him out for at least six weeks. Jonny DeLuca and Ryan Vilade are the likely replacements, though SS Carson Williams will reportedly be called up to take the roster spot. Williams is one of the Rays’ top prospects, though it’s unclear how much he’ll play, with the club enamored with Taylor Walls’ defense.

The Milwaukee Brewers will reportedly call up Robert Gasser to start today’s game with the Minnesota Twins. The spot start gives Brandon Sproat and Jacob Misiorowski an extra day of rest. Misiorowski, in particular, could use the added time after being removed from his last start with a quad cramp. Gasser sports a 3.74 ERA for Triple-A Nashville, albeit with a high 1.51 WHIP, bloated by a .418 BABIP. He fanned 32 with eight walks in 21 2/3 innings prior to being called up.

Jose Altuve left last night’s game in the ninth inning after he appeared to injure his side grounding into an inning-ending double play in the eighth. He was replaced at second base by Nick Allen. Altuve is set for testing today, so his status for the finale of the Houston Astros series with the Texas Rangers is questionable. Allen or Shay Whitcomb would cover the keystone if Altuve can’t play.

The New York Yankees called up Elmer Rodriguez to take the rotation spot of Max Fried until Gerrit Cole is ready to be activated after rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. Rodriguez will step in and start today, pushing Ryan Weathers to Monday. Rodriguez struggled when he made his major league debut earlier in the season, posting a 5.19 ERA and 2.08 WHIP over two starts, spanning 8 2/3 innings.

The Boston Red Sox placed SS Trevor Story on the 10-day IL with a sports hernia. Story has been dealing with for most of the season, which helps to explain his .547 OPS through 41 games. He’s slated for further evaluation to determine whether surgery is needed. If so, the recovery time is usually 6 to 10 weeks. Nick Sogard was called up to take the roster spot and share shortstop duties with Andruw Monasterio.

Grayson Rodriguez is set to make his first start for the Los Angeles Angels today when the club attempts to avoid a weekend sweep, courtesy of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rodriguez hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2024, after missing last season following a right elbow debridement to remove a bone spur. His 2026 debut was delayed with shoulder inflammation, but he’s been impressive in two rehab outings with 18 strikeouts and two walks over 9 2/3 innings.

Rodriguez isn’t the only pitcher debuting today, as Lucas Giolito will take the hill for the Padres. He signed with the club in late April and has been getting ready with two starts for Single-A Lake Elsinore and a pair for Double-A San Antonio. He last pitched a week ago, logging 76 pitches over six frames, so he should face the Mariners with no restrictions.