Fantasy baseball: Carlos Rodon’s return and Sunday’s news to knowRodon’s return is a boost for the Yankees. AP Photo/Frank Franklin IIESPN FantasyMay 10, 2026, 10:25 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 10: Sunday’s news to know
Today’s schedule gets an early start with a 12:15 p.m. ET game in South Beach, where the Miami Marlins are hosting the Washington Nationals. The standard 13 matinees are staggered throughout the afternoon, capped off by the Kansas City Royals hosting the Detroit Tigers in the final game of this transaction period at 7:20 p.m. ET.
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Several teams are deploying a non-traditional starter today, including a “Johnny Bullpen” game at Target Field, with the Minnesota Twins giving the ball to Andrew Morris before using a parade of relievers against the Los Angeles Angels. Three other teams are going the opener-primary pitcher route, beginning with the Toronto Blue Jays opening with Spencer Miles before turning to Eric Lauer for bulk innings. The New York Mets are following suit with Huascar Brazoban and David Peterson in the desert against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and the Tigers are giving the ball to Brenan Hanifee then passing the baton to Drew Anderson.
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The Twins need to piecemeal today’s pitching after placing Taj Bradley on the 15-day IL due to right pectoral inflammation. He apparently suffered the injury during his Tuesday start last week. It’s unclear how long he’ll be sidelined, with Zebby Matthews the likely replacement. However, Matthews tossed eight innings on Friday night, so they need a plan for today.
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The New York Yankees are getting a rotation boost today, with Carlos Rodon making his 2026 debut in their road matchup with the Milwaukee Brewers. Rodon has been out after undergoing surgery last October to remove loose bodies and shave down a bone spur in his throwing elbow. The club opted to bring the southpaw along slowly, but he’s ready to return after three rehab appearances. Rodon was hit hard in his last outing, but he threw 83 pitches over 6 1/3 innings, so he should be able to work without a pitch limit.
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Kerry Carpenter left yesterday’s game in the first inning after colliding with the right field wall on a play that resulted in an inside-the-park home run for Bobby Witt Jr. His status for tonight’s game is unclear, but with the Royals starting lefty Noah Cameron, the Tigers would likely start the game with Carpenter on the bench.
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Bryce Harper had to leave yesterday’s game between the Philadelphia Phillies and Colorado Rockies in the first inning with a migraine. His status for today’s series finale is unclear.
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The Chicago White Sox scratched Andrew Benintendi before last night’s game due to back stiffness. The veteran opened the season hitting .167/.245/.271 after 17 games, but has batted .284/.292/.433 over his last 20 appearances. If Benintendi can’t play today against the Seattle Mariners, Randall Grichuk is the likely replacement at designated hitter.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Sunday.
May 9: Saturday’s news to know
Blake Snell of the Los Angeles Dodgers is a former two-time Cy Young Award winner. Luke Hales/Getty ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday’s full slate gets underway at 3:07 p.m. ET with the Toronto Blue Jays hosting the Los Angeles Angels at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays are expected to activate Addison Barger off the 10-day IL prior to the game. He’s been out for almost five weeks after spraining both ankles by awkwardly crossing first base in early April. He’s expected to occupy the left-handed side of a right-field platoon.
The evening ends with the Los Angeles Dodgers entertaining the Atlanta Braves, featuring Blake Snell making his season debut for the Dodgers. He’s been recovering from left shoulder fatigue, which extends back to last season. Snell was scheduled for one more rehab start, but the club opted to bring him up after placing Tyler Glasnow on the 15-day IL due to lower back spasms. Snell will likely be limited tonight since he only tossed 55 pitches in his final rehab outing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks promoted Ryan Waldschmidt from Triple-A Reno before yesterday’s game. He’s taking the roster spot of Alek Thomas, who was designated for assignment. Waldschmidt is set to take over in center field, though Jorge Barrosa filled in last night. The 23-year-old top prospect hit .289/.400/.477 with six steals over 34 games, spanning 156 plate appearances.
Ranger Suarez was scratched from today’s AL East affair between the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park. He left his last start with a hamstring issue, and the interim manager indicated the lefty needed more time to recover, so his next start was pushed to next week. Payton Tolle will get the nod in the third game of the series, which is tied 1-1.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Saturday.
May 8: Forecaster findings
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
Fantasy baseball’s Week 7 brings us “Rivalry Weekend,” the three-day, May 15-17 span which pits designated rivals against one another, played across 12 interleague series and three regional intraleague matchups.
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Among the highlighted matchups are the annual Subway Series between the New York Yankees and New York Mets, at Citi Field; the Crosstown Classic between the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox, at Rate Field; the Silver Boot Series between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, at Daikin Park; the Freeway Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels, at Angel Stadium; the I-70 Series between the Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals, at Busch Stadium; and Pennsylvania rivals the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates meeting at PNC Park.
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Unfortunately, amongst these 15 series, only one features a matchup of teams with winning records (entering play on Friday). That’s the Ohio Cup between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. That series, at least, projects to have each team’s most promising young starting pitcher working a game, as the Reds’ Chase Burns is lined up to pitch on Friday and the Guardians’ Gavin Williams on Saturday.
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Among the week’s pitching highlights, Ranger Suarez of the Boston Red Sox will face his former Phillies teammates for the first time during the team’s week-opening series at Fenway Park, most likely starting Wednesday’s game. The Dodgers might also welcome Blake Snell back into his rotation for his 2026 debut, most likely on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants or Friday at the Angels.
*Be sure to check out the full Forecaster before setting your lineups for fantasy’s Week 7.
May 8: Friday’s news to know
Jasson Domínguez got hurt while making a catch on Thursday and had to be carted off the field. Andrew Mordzynski/Icon SportswireBy Todd ZolaToday’s all-evening slate gets underway at 6:10 p.m. ET with an interleague affair between the Cincinnati Reds and Houston Astros at Great American Ball Park. The early forecasts indicate that Mother Nature will mostly cooperate, although rain is expected at Progressive Field, where the Cleveland Guardians entertain the Minnesota Twins.
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The New York Yankees will be without Jasson Dominguez for several weeks after he was placed on the 10-day IL due to a low-grade sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. On Thursday, he made a catch and then ran into the left field wall. He has cleared the league’s concussion protocol, though he’ll be monitored for a few more days. The club plans to call up Spencer Jones to replace Dominguez. Jones’ prospect shine has dimmed, but he’s been hot at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .353/.405/.912 over his last eight games.
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The Boston Red Sox placed Roman Anthony on the 10-day IL due to a sprained wrist. He’s been out since leaving Monday’s game in the first inning after hurting himself while taking a swing. The stint was backdated to May 5 and the club is hopeful that Anthony will return after the minimum stay. Masataka Yoshida is set to see more playing time against right-handers, with Andruw Monasterio in the lineup against left-handers. Mickey Gasper was recalled to fill the open roster spot.
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Ben Brown is set to make a spot start for the Chicago Cubs when they visit the Texas Rangers. He’s needed, with LHP Matthew Boyd on the 15-day IL following meniscus surgery. Boyd hurt himself while playing with his children and is expected to be out for around six weeks. It’s unclear whether Brown will remain in the rotation. Javier Assad and Jordan Wicks are also candidates to start while Boyd is out.
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The Seattle Mariners will reportedly activate Brendan Donovan from the 10-day IL before tonight’s road tilt with the Chicago White Sox. He’s been out since April 18 as a result of a left groin strain.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Friday.
May 7: Thursday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Tyler Glasnow left Wednesday’s start after just one inning, but the Dodgers hope he can avoid a trip to the IL. APToday’s 10-game schedule kicks off in the Bronx at 12:35 p.m. ET with a matchup between the Texas Rangers and the New York Yankees. Five more matinees are staggered throughout the afternoon, followed by four evening affairs.
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Ryan Weathers was scratched from Thursday’s game due to an illness. The Yankees will instead give the nod to swingman Paul Blackburn. The right-hander last took the hill Monday, throwing one inning. He’s not stretched out enough to go deep into the game, but the club hopes for more than it would get from a typical opener. Ben Rice missed his third straight game last night as he’s nursing a bruised left hand. He’s considered to be day-to-day, but with left-hander MacKenzie Gore on the hill for the Rangers, Rice might well sit out again.
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Tyler Glasnow left last night’s game after pitching just one inning against the Houston Astros. The Los Angeles Dodgers pieced together a bullpen game in their 12-2 win. Glasnow indicated that he felt back spasms while warming up for the second inning. He experienced something similar in 2024 and is slated for an MRI to help determine his status.
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Cole Ragans left Wednesday’s start after three scoreless frames. The Kansas City Royals unveiled that he left due to left triceps/elbow soreness. His status is pending further evaluation, but the team is hoping he won’t have to miss any time.
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Luis Garcia Jr. of the Washington Nationals missed his second straight game yesterday as he continues to nurse a sprained wrist. Curtis Mead has filled in at first base. Garcia’s status for today’s series finale with the Minnesota Twins is uncertain.
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The Cincinnati Reds turned to Graham Ashcraft for their first save opportunity after placing Emilio Pagan on the 15-day IL. However, Tony Santillan wasn’t available after having thrown 17 pitches on Tuesday. Pagan is expected to be out for 4-to-8 weeks, with Santillan and Ashcraft likely to share the closer job.
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The Tampa Bay Rays will open their road series in Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox with Griffin Jax on the hill. They’re stretching him out to be a traditional starter but, at least for today, Jesse Scholtens will piggyback with Jax.
