Fantasy baseball news: Can Soto’s return finally bring the Mets a win?Juan Soto returns to action for a Mets team that has lost 12 straight games. Jeff Curry-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyApr 22, 2026, 07:03 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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April 22: Wednesday’s news to know
Today’s action gets an early start with a 12:10 p.m. ET first pitch in Florida, where the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals square off in the rubber game of a three-game set. Five more matinees are staggered throughout the afternoon, with nine games comprising the evening slate.
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The New York Mets expect to have Juan Soto back in their lineup tonight when they try to snap their 12-game losing streak. Last night’s defeat spoiled another quality effort from Nolan McLean, who carried a perfect game into the sixth inning before ultimately yielding three runs in 6 1/3 frames, albeit with 10 strikeouts and no walks. Soto has been out for almost three weeks with a calf strain.
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Adley Rutschman returned to the Baltimore Orioles lineup last night after missing the minimum 10 days due to an inflamed ankle. He went 2-for-4 with a home run, but it wasn’t enough as the O’s lost 6-5 to the Kansas City Royals. Down on the farm, 2B Jackson Holliday apparently suffered another setback in his recovery from hamate bone surgery, as he was removed early for the second time this week due to right-hand discomfort.
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Perhaps in an effort to help get Taijuan Walker back on track, lefty Kyle Backhus will open tonight’s road date for the Philadelphia Phillies against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs switch up their batting order depending on the starting pitcher, so the right-handed Walker should have an easier time serving as the “primary pitcher” since he’ll avoid facing the top of the Cubs order the first time through, which features solid left-handed batters.
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For the Cubs, Matthew Boyd is set to return from the 15-day IL, bolstering a depleted Chicago rotation that is still missing Justin Steele and will be without Cade Horton for the rest of the season. Boyd missed three weeks due to a left biceps strain. He made one rehab start for Triple-A Iowa, yielding three runs on four hits in 3 2/3 innings, but he fanned six with just one walk.
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Wyatt Langford left last night’s game as a result of right forearm tightness. The cause and severity of the injury are unclear. The outfielder often deals with injuries, including a quad issue that cost him three games earlier in the month. Ezequiel Duran filled in last night and would be the likely replacement if Langford remains out tonight as the club tries to make it two in a row over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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The Pirates were without 2B Brandon Lowe for the second straight game as he’s nursing a sore left knee. He was reportedly available off the bench last night, but was not needed in the 5-1 loss to the Rangers. His status for today’s game against right-hander Jack Leiter is unclear.
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Freddie Freeman returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup last night after missing two games over the weekend while on the paternity list. Ryan Ward was optioned back to Triple-A Oklahoma City in the corresponding move.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
April 21: Tuesday’s news to know
Raisel Iglesias becomes yet another MLB closer who has to miss time due to injury. Mitchell Leff/Getty ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday’s full 15-game slate consists entirely of evening affairs, beginning at 6:10 p.m. ET with the Cleveland Guardians hosting the Houston Astros. Weather should not jeopardize play anywhere, although the temperatures remain chilly in the Northeast. Rain doesn’t appear to be an issue tonight, but it could get a little wet in Anaheim, where the Los Angeles Angels host the Toronto Blue Jays and a bit up the coast for the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers as they tussle at Oracle Park.
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Earlier today, the Atlanta Braves placed closer Raisel Iglesias on the 15-day IL due to an inflamed right shoulder. Over the weekend, it was revealed that he had slept on it wrong, but now he’s been diagnosed with something more serious. The club has not revealed any timetable for his return. In the interim, Robert Suarez will handle save chances, with Tyler Kinley and Dylan Lee stepping into the primary setup roles.
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The Seattle Mariners placed 3B Brendan Donovan on the 10-day IL due to a groin issue. They are hoping for a short visit, with Leo Rivas filling in. Top prospect Colt Emerson did play a couple of games at third base with Triple-A Tacoma, but he’s also nursing a sore wrist. If Donovan is sidelined for longer than expected, the club might end up promoting the 20-year-old for his MLB debut. Emerson signed an eight-year, $95 million contract extension late in spring training, so it’s very likely he’ll the call at some point this season.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. was hit by two pitches last night, the second one hitting him in the hand and forcing him from the game. He’s considered to be day-to-day heading into tonight’s road tilt with the Washington Nationals. As of this morning, the club was not expected to send Acuna for imaging. Eli White took over in right field last night and is the likely fill-in if Acuna remains out.
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Sonny Gray left yesterday’s Patriots’ Day game early due to a hamstring issue. Imaging revealed enough to place him on the 10-day IL. The club called up reliever Tyler Samaniego to help fortify an overworked bullpen but could turn to Payton Tolle later in the week to take Gray’s spot in the rotation.
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A sore back held J.T. Realmuto out of his second straight game last night. He’s questionable again this evening, with Rafael Marchan as the only other catcher currently on the active roster. If Realmuto doesn’t display progress soon, the Philadelphia Phillies will be forced to make a roster move.
April 20: Edwin Diaz (elbow) heads to the IL
Edwin Diaz heads to the IL after posting a 10.50 ERA and 2.33 WHIP in his first seven appearances with the Dodgers. Scott Taetsch/Getty ImagesBy Tristan H. CockcroftThere’s seemingly an explanation for Diaz’s diminished fastball velocity, as well as his back-to-back poor performances, as the Los Angeles Dodgers unveiled Monday that they’ve placed their $69 million closer on the 15-day injured list due to loose bodies in his right elbow, then unveiled shortly afterward that he’ll undergo surgery to remove them on Wednesday.
Diaz will miss about three months, the typical timetable for pitchers coming off the operation. Pitchers Hunter Greene and Hurston Waldrep have also undergone surgery to remove loose bodies this year, and both were expected to miss somewhere around the same three months’ time.
Diaz’s fastball had averaged only 95.7 mph so far this season, down from 97.2 in 2025, and he wasn’t getting nearly as many whiffs as he had in the past. He was also nearly one-quarter of the way to his entire 2025 walk total (5 this year, 21 last).
The news opens up a golden opportunity for saves among the Dodgers’ bullpen, though manager Dave Roberts has never been afraid to go with a committee approach to closing games. Lefties Tanner Scott and Alex Vesia, both of whom rank among the top 55 relief pitchers in fantasy points scored while largely working in setup roles thus far, are the most logical choices to get the ball initially. Both are well worth adding, even in standard ESPN leagues, on the chance that either could singularly emerge as the team’s closer, in what could be a lengthier than expected stay in the role.
Scott would be my choice, based upon his past experience. Though his 2025 Dodgers debut year might be remembered unfavorably by most, he was more effective in the singular role during the season’s first three months than it seemed, as he saved 18 games, had a 28.2% strikeout rate and was tied for third among relief pitchers in fantasy points at the conclusion of June. Scott’s control thus far has been excellent, as he has issued no walks and has 70% first pitch strike and 60% zone rates.
That reported, fantasy managers should be swift to pivot as needed, as Vesia isn’t any less deserving of his own chance, and the team could consider giving chances to Blake Treinen or Jack Dreyer. Remember, the Dodgers, even without Diaz, are projected for as many wins as any team in baseball, maximizing the bullpen’s chances for saves and holds.
