Fantasy baseball news: Suarez and Ryan both leave starts earlyA tight hamstring caused Ranger Suarez to leave his Sunday start sooner than expected. APESPN FantasyMay 4, 2026, 12:24 PM 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 4: San Francisco Giants ready to recall Bryce Eldridge
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
The Giants, now last in baseball in runs per game (3.12), HR rate (1.5% of their trips to the plate) and walk rate (5.6%), plan to recall the slugging Eldridge on Monday for their first of a three-game home series against the San Diego Padres. To be clear upfront, it is not a move designed to leave struggling Rafael Devers (.562 OPS, 30.7 K%) on the sidelines, but rather the two should operate in a 1B/DH partnership, relegating Casey Schmitt to a more suitable middle-infield/defensive replacement role.
The team is also expected to recall catcher Jesus Rodriguez. Perhaps he can provide some pop at the plate as Patrick Bailey is batting just .152 on the year.
*Be sure to check all of Tristan’s waiver-wire recommendations before Week 6 lineups lock.
May 4: Monday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Today’s 12-game slate starts at 5:40 p.m. ET, with the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets seeing their start time moved up to hopefully avoid impending rain. There is actually a chance of snow for the Tuesday and Wednesday contests. Yipe!
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Ranger Suarez took himself out of yesterday’s start as a result of a tight right hamstring. The Red Sox southpaw hurled four scoreless frames against the Houston Astros before walking off the field prior to the start of the fifth inning. His status for his next start is unclear.
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The Minnesota Twins also saw their starter take himself out of the game on Sunday. Joe Ryan faced only two Toronto Blue Jays hitters before letting his bench know he was experiencing some right elbow soreness. He is expected to get some imaging done today. The Twins, who are off today, are certainly hoping the news isn’t serious, but an IL visit is certainly expected.
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The Detroit Tigers are expected to be without regular 2B Gleyber Torres for tonight’s opener against the Boston Red Sox at Comerica Park. Torres missed yesterday’s game due to left side tightness and, while he’s likely to avoid the IL, he may need a couple of days to be 100%.
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Ben Rice is questionable for tonight’s series finale between the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles after hurting his hand fielding at first base on a pickoff attempt yesterday. He was diagnosed with a bruised hand, as X-rays came back negative.
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Cal Raleigh missed his second consecutive game yesterday due to right side soreness. He underwent imaging after being scratched from Saturday’s game. His availability to return tonight when the Seattle Mariners host the Atlanta Braves is unclear, but Raleigh revealed feeling better yesterday, so the hope is that he can at least serve as the DH.
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On Sunday, Ronald Acuna Jr. was placed on the 10-day IL with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. The club had feared the diagnosis would be even more severe but they haven’t yet issued a timeline for his return.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Monday.
May 4: Sunday’s news to know
George Springer is slated to rest today for the Blue Jays, and the team is hopeful he can return tomorrow. Cole Burston/Getty ImagesBy Todd ZolaSunday kicks off early with a 12:45 p.m. ET matchup at Target Field, where the Minnesota Twins will entertain the Toronto Blue Jays. Action continues at 1:30 p.m. with a handful of games, then concludes with the Detroit Tigers hosting the Texas Rangers in the Sunday night affair.
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George Springer is going to be on the bench for the Blue Jays after aggravating his injured left foot yesterday. He’s been playing through a broken left toe but was hit by a pitch in the area yesterday. X-rays came back negative and Springer was slated to rest today. The Jays are hopeful that he’ll be able to return on Monday for an AL East clash with the Tampa Bay Rays.
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Cal Raleigh was scratched from yesterday’s game between the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals due to general body soreness. However, the club is sending him for imaging, so his status for today’s series finale is uncertain. If Raleigh is unable to play, either Mitch Garver or Jhonny Pereda will handle catching duties when the Mariners look to avoid being swept.
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Ronald Acuna Jr. clutched at his hamstring while running out a ground ball in the second inning last night. He left the game and is slated for further evaluation. The Atlanta Braves are already short-handed in the outfield, with Michael Harris nursing a quad injury and limited to DH duty. Eli White took over in right field and Mauricio Dubon started in center field. The Braves won the first two games of their weekend series with the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
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The New York Mets‘ infield shuffle continues with Ronny Mauricio heading to the 10-day IL after being diagnosed with a broken left thumb. With Francisco Lindor already out, Bo Bichette slid over from third base with Brett Baty covering the hot corner. This is likely going to be the arrangement for at least another month. The club recently claimed Andy Ibanez off waivers, so he’ll serve as the primary reserve infielder.
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Christian Walker was hit in the head by a fastball in the ninth inning of Saturday afternoon’s affair. The pitch cracked his helmet, but he passed concussion testing after the game. The Houston Astros are optimistic that he’ll be able to play in today’s game of their series with the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.
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Brandon Nimmo missed yesterday’s game to rest his lingering hamstring injury. He was taken out early on Wednesday and Friday night, so the Texas Rangers opted to give him a day to hopefully heal. His status for today’s game in Motown against the Detroit Tigers is uncertain.
