Fantasy baseball news: Brewers going cautious route with WoodruffBrewers starter Brandon Woodruff’s ‘dead arm’ is causing a lot of concern in Milwaukee. Benny Sieu-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyMay 1, 2026, 07:31 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.
Key links: RP depth chart | Player Rater | Scoring leaders
10-day pitching forecaster | 10-day hitting forecaster
May 1: Friday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
The weekend kicks off with an afternoon affair at Wrigley Field, where the Chicago Cubs are hosting the Arizona Diamondbacks at 2:20 p.m. ET. Action picks up again at 6:40 p.m. ET for the standard array of 14 evening games.
-
Zac Gallen was not a certainty to start today’s game for Arizona due to his having taken a comebacker off his shoulder in his last start, but he revealed no issues following a bullpen session on Wednesday. Assuming he doesn’t tighten up in the cool temperatures, Gallen should benefit from favorable conditions with the wind blowing in.
-
Brandon Woodruff left last night’s game after just 1 1/3 innings. He threw only 21 pitches, but the Milwaukee Brewers didn’t want to take any chances considering his velocity was down more than 7 mph. After the game, Woodruff revealed no issues other than experiencing a dead arm and is expected to undergo some testing. With Quinn Priester not expected back for another couple of weeks, Shane Drohan may come out of the bullpen to join the rotation. The club could also recall Logan Henderson from Triple-A Nashville, where he sports a 1.02 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with 26 strikeouts in 17 2/3 innings.
-
Michael Harris II served as the Atlanta Braves’ DH last night as a lingering quad issue kept him from playing the outfield. The club indicated that they would continue to use Harris at DH for now but may also consider letting him heal on the IL. Ultimately, a healthy Harris is the goal, but he has hit .474/.500/.868 over the past 12 games, so the Braves hope he can simply get better while staying in the lineup without having to play the field.
-
Vinnie Pasquantino didn’t start yesterday’s game for the Kansas City Royals as he’s been nursing a sore back. However, he was able to pinch-hit and is likely to be in the starting lineup for today’s series opener against Bryan Woo and the Seattle Mariners.
-
Be sure to check out the newest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Friday.
April 30: Thursday’s news to know
Rain in Philadelphia and Baltimore yesterday results in some unexpected doubleheaders today. John Geliebter-USA TODAY SportsBy Todd ZolaToday’s 11-game slate gets an early start at 12:15 p.m. ET with the Atlanta Braves going for a home sweep over the Detroit Tigers. Initially, there were just nine scheduled games, but rain in the mid-Atlantic yesterday forced the postponement of the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the San Francisco Giants and the Baltimore Orioles entertaining the Houston Astros. Both are rescheduled as single-admission doubleheaders this afternoon, with Mother Nature expected to cooperate.
-
The Tigers placed IF/OF Javier Baez on the 10-day IL due to a sprained right ankle. The club called up Jace Jung and started him at DH yesterday, though Matt Vierling and Wenceel Perez are also expected to see an uptick in playing time while Baez is out. The club also placed Casey Mize on the 15-day IL due to a right adductor strain. He left Tuesday’s start in the third inning, with yesterday’s MRI revealing the diagnosis.
-
The Orioles placed Trevor Rogers on the 15-day IL with an illness. The stint can be backdated to Sunday, but Rogers must be dealing with something serious enough to miss two starts. Cameron Foster was recalled from Triple-A Norfolk to help fortify a bullpen that will likely be busy with today’s twin bill. Rogers’ next start was slated for Sunday.
-
The Colorado Rockies lineup received a boost last night with the return of Willi Castro. He had last started one week ago and only appeared for one inning as a defensive replacement on Tuesday night. He celebrated his return from a sore knee with a 2-for-4 effort, scoring twice with an RBI in the Rockies’ 13-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds. They’ll play the rubber game of their series this afternoon at Great American Ball Park.
-
Luis Robert Jr. missed his third straight game last night as he’s been nursing a sore back. He is slated for an MRI, the results of which will help determine his availability for today’s rubber game between the New York Mets and Washington Nationals in Queens.
-
Vinnie Pasquantino missed last night’s game due to a sore back. He’s been dealing with a lingering issue and tweaked it on Tuesday night. The Kansas City Royals and the Athletics meet this afternoon with both clubs having a win in the series. With lefty Jeffrey Springs getting the start in Sacramento, the Royals may opt to give Pasquantino another day off.
-
The Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins wrap up today’s docket with the opener of a four-game series at Target Field. George Springer returned to the Blue Jays yesterday in their 8-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox entering the game in the fifth inning as a pinch hitter and singled in a run. Eloy Jimenez was designated for assignment in the corresponding move.
