Fantasy baseball: Deadline deals start to come in and more news for MondayJose Soriano is off to Toronto as the Angels play the role of “sellers” at the trade deadline. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyAug 3, 2026, 10:58 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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Aug. 3: Monday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
There are only eight games scheduled for “Trade Deadline Day,” all of which are evening affairs. Action gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET in Citizens Bank Park with the Philadelphia Phillies squaring off with the Washington Nationals. After a wet weekend in many places, Mother Nature looks like she’ll cooperate tonight, although there might be a few showers around Coors Field. However, the 8:40 p.m. ET contest between the Colorado Rockies and Tampa Bay Rays is not in jeopardy.
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Andres Chaparro was hit in the helmet by a pitch yesterday, but after the game, Nationals manager Blake Butera indicated that Chaparro passed a concussion test. If he remains free of symptoms, he’ll be available today. With Luis Garcia Jr. headed to the Bronx, Chaparro is expected to see the bulk of the action at first base.
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The New York Yankees will likely use Garcia in a similar manner as the Nationals — mostly at first base with some occasional action at DH. Surprisingly, Garcia exits the Senior Circuit as the slugging percentage leader. He’s sporting a career-high Pull%, which will serve him well in Yankee Stadium.
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Spencer Horwitz returned to the Pittsburgh Pirates’ lineup yesterday after having missed almost six weeks due to a strained left hamstring. His absence was extended a week after being diagnosed with a concussion in late July. Horwitz will resume his role as the regular first baseman in a lineup averaging the second-most runs per game in MLB.
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Tarik Skubal is set to make his Los Angeles Dodgers debut tomorrow at Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs. Justin Wrobleski will be on the hill tonight when the club tries to snap its three-game losing streak after being swept by the Boston Red Sox at home over the weekend.
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The Cubs will counter with Matthew Boyd as they look to fortify their hold on the top NL wild-card spot. Newly acquired Kevin Gausman isn’t slated to pitch against the Dodgers, but he might take the hill Thursday when the club plays a makeup game against Gausman’s former team, the Toronto Blue Jays.
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Speaking of the Blue Jays, they are not completely throwing in the towel as they acquired Jose Soriano from the Los Angeles Angels earlier today. That mentioned, Gausman is a better pitcher, but Soriano still has two years of team control left after this season, so it was more a matter of the Blue Jays taking advantage of the Angels’ circumstances than hoping to stay in the AL wild-card race.
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The Rays reinforced their rotation by adding Freddy Peralta. Lefty Ian Seymour will open the road series against the Rockies tonight, with Peralta likely to make his Rays debut tomorrow.
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Michael King is scheduled to be the San Diego Padres’ starter when they open a road set in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks, but the righty is rumored to be available and could be on the move prior to today’s 6:00 p.m. ET trade deadline.
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Be sure to check out the recent fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.
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We’ve got all of the deadline day deals and fantasy analysis that you need right here.
Aug. 2: Sunday’s news to know
A strained left quad will keep Pirates first baseman Ryan O’Hearn out for six-to-eight weeks. Kirk Irwin/Getty ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday’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.
