Fantasy baseball: A’s forced to scramble and other news for TuesdayGage Jump is expected to get the call to replace Aaron Civale in the Athletics rotation. Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyMay 26, 2026, 10:50 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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May 26: Tuesday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
After three days filled with afternoon baseball, all 15 of today’s games are evening affairs. Action gets underway at 6:10 p.m. ET with the Washington Nationals visiting the Cleveland Guardians. After a wet Memorial Day Weekend, tonight’s slate should be devoid of any weather issues.
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Aaron Civale is expected to be placed on the 15-day IL after undergoing evaluation for a right shoulder injury. Yesterday, he gave up seven runs in four innings to the Seattle Mariners as the Athletics lost 9-2. The club will reportedly call up 23-year-old lefty Gage Jump to take Civale’s spot in the rotation. Jump posted a 4.74 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP in 38 innings for Triple-A Las Vegas, but he worked in one of the most hitter-friendly venues in the Pacific Coast League, which is replete with great hitter’s parks. His 56 strikeouts in those 38 frames are impressive.
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The struggling Toronto Blue Jays lineup got a boost last night with the return of Nathan Lukes. He had missed just over a month due to a strained left hamstring. The week before he was placed on the IL, Lukes hit .524/.545/.714 and came back yesterday with a 3-for-4 effort, albeit in an 8-2 loss to the Miami Marlins. Lukes should see regular playing time in right field.
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Before the game, the Blue Jays placed Dylan Cease on the 15-day IL due to a strained left hamstring. The injury is considered mild, so the club is hopeful for a minimum absence. It’s unclear how the Blue Jays will fill the open rotation spot.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers were without Max Muncy for the third straight game as he’s still nursing a right wrist contusion. He’s likely going to be out again tonight when the Colorado Rockies visit Chavez Ravine, but the club hopes he can return tomorrow. With lefty Kyle Freeland on the hill for the visitors, Enrique Hernandez is the top option at the hot corner.
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Yordan Alvarez was back in action yesterday after exiting Saturday’s tilt with back spasms. He didn’t play on Sunday, but that was reportedly a planned absence. Still, he had been questionable leading into last night’s affair with the Texas Rangers, won by the Houston Astros as three pitchers combined for a no-hitter, led by six innings from Tatsuya Imai.
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Be sure to check out the recent fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday.
May 25: Monday’s news to know
Blue Jays pitcher Dylan Cease left Saturday night’s game early. Nick Turchiaro-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaEveryone is in action on Memorial Day except the Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels. Two of the 13 games get underway at 1:35 p.m. ET. After three straight slates with at least one rainout, nothing on Monday appears to be in jeopardy. Though there will be morning rain at Camden Yards, it’s expected to taper off by the time the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays meet for one of the first games of the day.
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Vladimir Guerrero Jr. left yesterday’s game after being hit by a pitch on his right elbow. X-rays were negative, but Guerrero revealed feeling numbness in his fingers, indicating the pitch hit a nerve. He’s expected to be examined before tomorrow’s pre-game workout prior to the opener of the Toronto Blue Jays home series against the Miami Marlins. It’s best to have a contingency plan ready in case Guerrero can’t play.
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Guerrero wasn’t the only Blue Jay injured yesterday, as Dylan Cease had to leave with a sore hamstring after logging 4 2/3 innings. Initial evaluation is encouraging, but he’s slated for an MRI today.
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Josh Jung missed yesterday’s game after leaving Saturday’s contest with a sore left shoulder. Michael Helman played shortstop, with Ezequiel Duran manning the hot corner. Jung is one of the few bright spots on a Texas Rangers team dealing with multiple injuries. He’s batting .309/.357/.462 over 48 games. He’s considered day-to-day in advance of this evening’s home date with the Houston Astros.
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Ian Happ was on the bench for both Chicago Cubs’ weekend meetings with the Houston Astros. The Cubs were swept, extending their losing streak to eight games. Manager Craig Counsell indicated that he wanted to give Happ a mental break and that he expects Happ to be in today’s lineup for their early matinee against the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was 1-for-24 with 14 strikeouts and two walks over the six games heading into the weekend.
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Max Muncy is expected to miss tonight’s home affair when the Los Angeles Dodgers entertain the Colorado Rockies. He missed the past two games after being hit by a pitch on Friday. He was initially scheduled for a CT scan today, but manager Dave Roberts indicated that Muncy showed enough improvement yesterday to avoid imaging. Miguel Rojas should continue to see action at third base, though Enrique Hernandez is expected to be activated from the 10-day IL and could be an option. Hernandez has been rehabbing from a torn tendon in his left elbow. He underwent surgery last November.
