Fantasy baseball news: Astros, Padres struggle to keep rotations healthyTatsuya Imai is just one of an ever-growing list of Astros pitchers spending time on the 15-day IL. Joe Nicholson-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyApr 16, 2026, 08:13 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 16: Thursday morning’s news to know
The Pittsburgh Pirates hosting the Washington Nationals at 12:35 PM ET leads off today’s abbreviated 10-game schedule. Six more matinees follow, with three evening affairs rounding out the action.
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With Hunter Brown, Tatsuya Imai, Cristian Javier, and Cody Bolton all on the 15-day IL, the Houston Astros will send Ryan Weiss to the mound for tonight’s home tilt with the Colorado Rockies. He spent the last few seasons pitching in Korea. So far this season, Weiss has pitched in long relief, logging 62 and 64 pitches in his last two outings.
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Last night, the San Diego Padres extended their winning streak to seven with another big come-from-behind victory. However, earlier in the day, they received bad news when Nick Pivetta was diagnosed with a strained right flexor tendon, which will likely sideline him until after the All-Star break. They also revealed that Joe Musgrove has not been cleared for bullpen sessions yet and is only able to play catch. Matt Waldron is expected to be activated from the 15-day IL to join the Padres rotation sometime this weekend.
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Jorge Soler began serving his suspension yesterday after having it reduced from seven games down to four. He’ll be eligible to return on Sunday. The Los Angeles Angels will miss his power and run production. Soler is hitting only .231, but he has five homers, 18 RBI, and 13 runs through 18 games.
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The Chicago White Sox are going to borrow a page from the Tampa Bay Rays’ playbook when they get together for a matinee in the Windy City. Jordan Leasure will serve as the opener, with Anthony Kay following in bulk relief. The Rays will be forced to make several lineup decisions since they deploy multiple platoons, and they’ll face a right-hander for only about an inning before seeing a lefty.
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Staying in Chicago, Sam Antonacci made his MLB debut last night, playing second base with Chase Meidroth getting the day off. However, White Sox manager Will Venable indicated that Antonacci will get most of his playing time in left field. The 23-year-old earned his promotion with a .313/.500/.479 line for Triple-A Charlotte, stealing five bases in six attempts.
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The Baltimore Orioles called up C Sam Huff yesterday. He joins fellow backstops Samuel Basallo and Maverick Handley on the active roster. The move will allowing Basallo to serve primarily as the team’s DH. Huff got the call despite batting just .156/.250/.188 for Triple-A Norfolk.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Thursday.
April 15: Wednesday morning’s news to know
Willson Contreras left Tuesday’s game after getting hit by a pitch and Boston’s offense could not recover. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaAction gets underway early with a 12:35 p.m. ET start for the interleague affair between the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks. There are two more matinees, followed by a dozen contests to be played under the lights.
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The Diamondbacks expect Ketel Marte to return to the field this afternoon after he was scratched last night due to a tight lower back. After the game, manager Torey Lovullo expressed confidence that Marte’s injury is not serious and already had him penciled into today’s lineup.
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The Boston Red Sox had to finish last night’s game without one of their few productive hitters when Willson Contreras exited in the fifth inning of their loss to the Minnesota Twins. He was hit by a 93 mph sinker in the fourth inning and was then replaced at first base by Andruw Monasterio. Contreras’ availability is unclear for today’s afternoon tilt as the club attempts to avoid being swept.
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Cole Sulser will start today before giving way to Jesse Scholtens when the Tampa Bay Rays take on the Chicago White Sox. Before Tuesday’s game, the club transferred Ryan Pepiot to the 60-day IL after he experienced a setback following Sunday’s bullpen session. Pepiot has been out with a hip issue.
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The San Diego Padres placed Nick Pivetta on the 15-day IL Tuesday. He was diagnosed with right elbow inflammation. With Joe Musgrove still without a timetable to return from his October 2024 Tommy John surgery, JP Sears is expected to fill the open spot in the rotation.
April 14: A somewhat surprising source of saves
By Eric Karabell
Jakob Junis, 33, pitched well for the 2025 Cleveland Guardians, but doesn’t every relief pitcher thrive on that team? A longtime starter whom most fantasy managers ignored for good reason, Junis has never thrown particularly hard when compared to his peers, never piled on the strikeouts and, even last season, permitted nearly a hit per inning.
Today, he leads the Texas Rangers with three saves, one more than he accumulated during his first nine seasons combined.
This has happened because LHP Robert Garcia and RHP Chris Martin boast matching 1.83 WHIP marks. Move on from them. Junis has permitted very little. RHP Cole Winn and LHP Jacob Latz are firmly in the picture, too, and they will get holds, but Junis — I can’t believe this has really happened — might keep this role.
*For more of this week’s closer stock watch, be sure to read Karabell’s full column.
