Fantasy baseball: Wood hurt for Washington and more news for TuesdayWashington’s James Wood may miss some time for a Nationals team already looking ahead to next season. Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyAug 4, 2026, 11:01 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. 4: Tuesday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
All 30 teams are back in action tonight, with the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels kicking things off at 6:35 p.m. ET at Camden Yards. Other than some game-time showers near Truist Park, weather should not be an issue anywhere. The game between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins isn’t in jeopardy, as mentioned rain is expected to clear quickly.
Note: Check out the great work by my colleagues Tristan H. Cockcroft and Eric Karabell as they put a fantasy spin on every key trade from the past few days.
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The Braves lineup gets a key cog back with Sean Murphy returning from an extended absence. The backup catcher and DH has been out for almost three months due to a fractured left middle finger. Murphy’s return allows starting catcher Drake Baldwin to see more action at DH, which should help to keep him fresher down the stretch.
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James Wood is scheduled for an MRI today after hurting his left side while swinging the bat in the sixth inning of Monday night’s game. The Washington Nationals were sellers at the deadline, even though they lead the league in runs per game. Wood is one of the primary reasons for the offensive success, as he’s the No. 3 hitter on the ESPN Player Rater, one spot behind teammate CJ Abrams. Yordan Alvarez from the Houston Astros is top of the list.
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With newly acquired Robbie Ray and Casey Mize both set to join the San Diego Padres rotation later this week, Randy Vasquez gets the call tonight on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Vasquez was unable to sustain his early-season success and was moved to the bullpen in mid-June, then missed just over two weeks as a result of an ankle issue. Since returning, he has posted a 2.45 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, but with just four strikeouts over 11 innings. He’ll return to a long-relief role after tonight’s start in the desert.
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The Diamondbacks will be without C Gabriel Moreno for at least tonight’s contest against the Padres as he’s set to be placed on the paternity list. By rule, Moreno can miss one to three days. James McCann caught last night and is expected to do so again tonight.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates fortified their bullpen with the additions of Kirby Yates, Luke Weaver, Lake Bachar, and Camilo Doval. Only Doval was with the club last night, and he appeared in a setup capacity with Mason Montgomery recording his third save in the Pirates’ 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s unclear who, if anyone, will emerge as the closer, but Weaver might be the favorite.
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Lengthening the bullpen will help the Pirates offset the loss of Mitch Keller for the rest of the season. The right-hander was diagnosed with a right teres major muscle injury. Carmen Mlodzinski is a candidate to replace Keller in the bullpen.
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The New York Yankees didn’t stop after adding Heliot Ramos and Luis Garcia Jr. to bolster their offense as they promoted top prospect George Lombard Jr. to take over at shortstop. Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez were optioned to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Lombard was batting .268/.405/.440 in 56 games with Triple-A. The 21-year-old also stole 10 bases in 15 tries. He’ll likely see most of the action at shortstop, pushing Jose Caballero into a utility role.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday.
Aug. 3: Monday’s news to know
Jose Soriano is off to Toronto as the Angels play the role of “sellers” at the trade deadline. Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaThere 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.
