Fantasy baseball news: Boston loses again, Willson Contreras leaves earlyWillson Contreras left Tuesday’s game after getting hit by a pitch and Boston’s offense could not recover. Jesse Johnson-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyApr 15, 2026, 07:15 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 15: Wednesday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Action 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.
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Be sure to check out the recent fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
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.
April 14: Tuesday morning’s news to know
Merrill Kelly’s back is finally healthy enough for the pitcher to make his 2026 debut for Arizona. Rick Scuteri-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaToday is a rare April slate with no matinees. Action gets underway at 6:35 p.m. ET with the Arizona Diamondbacks visiting the Baltimore Orioles.
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In that game, Merrill Kelly will make his 2026 debut for Arizona after having been sidelined thanks to a back injury. Kelly made one rehab start with Triple-A Albuquerque and then pitched in extended spring training, tossing 83 pitches in his final appearance, so he should not be under any pitch limit this evening.
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The Chicago Cubs will give the ball to Riley Martin to serve as the “opener” when they visit the Philadelphia Phillies. Colin Rea is slated to be the bulk reliever. He’s been effective in his three outings this season. However, despite not having to log five innings in order to earn a win today, this is still a risky road affair for the veteran righty.
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Staying with the Windy City’s teams, the Chicago White Sox are expected to promote top prospect Noah Schultz for his MLB debut when they entertain the Tampa Bay Rays. The young hurler is coming off a down year that slightly dimmed his prospect shine, but the 6-foot-10 southpaw has started this season with 19 strikeouts and only two walks in 14 frames for Triple-A Charlotte.
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The Texas Rangers anticipate that Wyatt Langford will be in their starting lineup tonight when they head to Sacramento for an AL West clash with the Athletics. He has missed three straight games due to a strained right quad. Langford was off to a slow start, posting a .525 OPS in 13 games, but he’ll enjoy the platoon advantage with lefty Jeffrey Springs on the mound.
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The Houston Astros placed Tatsuya Imai on the 15-day IL on Monday due to right arm fatigue. The club hopes that he’ll need only the minimum stay and can return before the end of the month. They also placed SS Jeremy Pena on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The Astros are optimistic that Pena’s visit will be short. Similar to the start of the season when Pena was sidelined as a result of a broken finger, Carlos Correa will slide over to shortstop while Isaac Paredes handles third base.
April 13: Carter Jensen deserves roster consideration
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
A top preseason pick for AL Rookie of the Year, the young catcher has started seven of the Kansas City Royals last nine contests and homered three times, continuing to reflect the massive offensive potential he possesses. Jensen’s whiff rate (39.5%) is of concern, especially considering he had a 28.3% strikeout rate while with Triple-A Omaha last season, but if he can keep that in check, he’ll have one of the more complete offensive games of any current backstop.
*For more of Tristan’s waiver-wire suggestions, check out his full article.
