Fantasy baseball: Bad news for Pirates, Skubal heads to Dodgers and more Sunday newsA strained left quad will keep Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn out for six-to-eight weeks. Kirk Irwin/Getty ImagesESPN FantasyAug 2, 2026, 09:48 AM ETClose
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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August 2: Sunday’s news to know
Today’s action begins at 1:35 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles playing the rubber game of their three-game series at Camden Yards. The usual 13-game afternoon slate follows, then the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox cap off the day at 7:20 p.m. ET, with the Red Sox trying to sweep the defending World Series champions on their home turf.
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Speaking of the Dodgers, the suspense is over; Tarik Skubal is headed west. He’s expected to debut for the Dodgers early this week when they visit the Chicago Cubs.
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The New York Mets were hoping to reinstate Clay Holmes from the 15-day IL to start today’s game, but they’re keeping him on rehab with High-A Brooklyn. He is listed to take the hill there today, but he’s also rumored to be on the trading block, so that may not happen. Robert Stock gets the nod for the Mets at home against the Miami Marlins.
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JR Ritchie is set to come up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start today’s home matinee against the Washington Nationals. Martin Perez was initially slotted into the spot, but the veteran lefty was needed yesterday with Reynaldo Lopez scratched due to an inflamed left knee. Lopez is expected to be placed on the 15-day IL, so Ritchie could get multiple starts.
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Willson Contreras missed last night’s game while still in concussion protocol. The Red Sox are hopeful he can take the field tonight.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates will be without Ryan O’Hearn for six-to-eight weeks after the first baseman was diagnosed with a strained left quad. Jacob Gonzalez and Rafael Flores will handle first base while O’Hearn is sidelined.
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The Los Angeles Angels scratched Jose Soriano from yesterday’s start in anticipation of a deadline deal. Soriano and Reid Detmers are reportedly available. Brent Suter opened a bullpen game yesterday, and Walbert Urena will take the hill today against Jacob Misiorowski and the Milwaukee Brewers to wrap up their set in Anaheim.
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Be sure to check out the newest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Sunday.
Aug. 1: Saturday’s news to know
Willson Contreras was hit in the back of the helmet by a pitch Friday and was replaced after running the bases. Kiyoshi Mio/Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday’s 15-game schedule starts a little later than on most Saturdays, with the first game not getting underway until 3:07 p.m. ET when the Toronto Blue Jays host the St. Louis Cardinals. Three more matinees ensue about an hour later, and 11 evening games are on the docket.
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Kevin Gausman is slated to take the hill for the Blue Jays, but he is reportedly on the trading block. Last night, the Detroit Tigers scratched Casey Mize and the New York Mets scratched Freddy Peralta, as they’re also rumored to be on the move by Monday’s trade deadline.
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While it isn’t 100% definite that the Blue Jays will give the ball to Gausman, the Cardinals will definitely send rookie Quinn Mathews to the mound to make his major league debut. The 25-year-old left-hander rekindled his prospect shine with a 3.13 ERA and 1.14 WHIP for Triple-A Memphis, fanning 111 in 92 innings over 10 starts. He averaged fewer than five innings per start due to a bloated 14.0% walk rate.
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The Seattle Mariners placed SS J.P. Crawford on the 10-day IL with left wrist inflammation. Rookie Colt Emerson will slide over from third and fill in at shortstop, with Weston Wilson and Leo Rivas handling the hot corner, at least for a few days, with Brendan Donovan set to be activated from the 10-day IL on Tuesday.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates could be without 1B/OF Ryan O’Hearn, who needed assistance getting off the field Friday night in the ninth inning after hurting his left quad trying to beat out a ground ball. He’s set for imaging, at which point his status for tonight’s road affair with the Cincinnati Reds should be clarified.
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Corey Seager returned to the Texas Rangers’ lineup last night, going 2-for-3 with a double, but the club was still crushed 11-2 by the Houston Astros. Seager should return to being the everyday shortstop, though the Rangers are still without 3B Josh Jung.
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Washington Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. left last night’s game in the seventh inning with a sore right knee. He is day-to-day, with Andres Chaparro standing by to fill in at first if needed. Garcia has already set a career high with 23 home runs and is on trade watch in advance of Monday’s deadline.
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Boston Red Sox first baseman Willson Contreras left last night’s contest in the third inning after he was hit in the back of the helmet by a pitch. He stayed in the game to run the bases but was replaced on defense in the bottom of the frame. He’ll likely have to clear concussion protocol before returning to action.
