Fantasy baseball: Pirates expected to welcome Ryan O’Hearn back to lineupRyan O’Hearn was slugging .459 at the time of his injury. Patrick Gorski-Imagn ImagesESPN FantasyMay 30, 2026, 10:10 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 31: Sunday morning’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Fantasy Week 9 ends with a typical 15-game slate, featuring 14 afternoon contests and one evening affair. Action gets underway early at 12:15 p.m. ET with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the Toronto Blue Jays. The Chicago Cubs entertain the St. Louis Cardinals at 7:20 p.m. ET to conclude the week’s festivities.
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The New York Yankees will be without Amed Rosario for up to three days after he was placed on the paternity list. The club faces the Athletics with lefty Jacob Lopez slated to start, so Rosario would have been in the lineup.
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Los Angeles Angels SS Zach Neto left Saturday’s game early after a collision with Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Ian Seymour while trying to score on a wild pitch. Neto was diagnosed with whiplash and is questionable for today’s rubber game at Tropicana Field. Oswald Peraza would likely fill in if Neto can’t play.
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Angel Martinez left yesterday’s game with left foot inflammation. He’s questionable for the finale between the Cleveland Guardians and Boston Red Sox, with each team winning a game in the three-game set. Martinez has been a surprise this season, collecting nine homers and eight steals. If he can’t play, Stuart Fairchild would likely enter the lineup.
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Harrison Bader is on the 10-day IL for the second time this season. After a previous stint for a hamstring sprain, Bader is out with plantar fasciitis. Drew Gilbert and the recently called-up Will Brennan will cover center field.
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Maikel Garcia strained his right hamstring hustling from first to third base in the seventh inning of yesterday’s tilt between the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers. After a productive World Baseball Classic, Garcia has struggled over the first two months of the season, especially in May. With one game left this month, he has yet to hit a homer and has swiped just one base. Nick Loftin will fill in at the hot corner if Garcia misses action.
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The Rangers were without Evan Carter for yesterday’s 7-6 win over the Royals. His foot was sore after being hit by a pitch on Friday night. Michael Helman handled center field and would likely continue to fill in if Carter has to miss more action. He’s slated for imaging, after which his status will be clarified.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates anticipate the return of one of their best hitters, with Ryan O’Hearn set to be activated from the 10-day IL. He’s been out for two weeks with a right quad strain. Before the injury, O’Hearn was pacing toward a career year with an .827 OPS.
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Be sure to check out the recent fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Sunday.
May 30: Saturday’s news to know
Rookie home tun leader Munetaka Murakami will be out until mid-June because of a hamstring injury. Patrick Gorski/Icon SportswireBy Todd ZolaToday’s action gets underway at 2:10 p.m. ET, with the Chicago White Sox hosting the Detroit Tigers. Eight more games follow in the 4 p.m. ET block, with the final six games being evening affairs.
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Updating a note from yesterday, the initial transaction stated that Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians was placed on the paternity list, but it was changed to the bereavement list. As such, he’ll be away from the team through at least the weekend and possibly through Thursday. Stuart Fairchild was called up to take the roster spot and help fill in at left field.
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The White Sox expect to be without 1B Munetaka Murakami until mid-June after he hurt his hamstring running to first base Friday night in the third inning. His status will be validated after imaging, but manager Wil Venable indicated that the assumption is that Murakami will be diagnosed with a hamstring sprain. Miguel Vargas will likely move across the diamond, with Luisangel Acuna and Jacob Gonzalez covering the hot corner.
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The Los Angeles Dodgers declared that Teoscar Hernandez has a Grade 1 hamstring strain and is set for a 10-day IL stint, though he is without a timeline to return. The club is also without Enrique Hernandez, who recently returned to the injured list with an oblique injury. Alex Call and Ryan Ward are expected to handle left field.
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The Tigers rotation lost another member with Casey Mize being placed on the 15-day IL with right adductor inflammation. The club is already without Tarik Skubal and Justin Verlander. Troy Melton came off the IL to fill one spot, but it’s unclear who will take the other spot. Ty Madden is a candidate to be activated off the IL, with Sawyer Gipson-Long a candidate to be called up from Triple-A Toledo.
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Be sure to check out the recent fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Saturday.
May 29: Forecaster findings
By Todd Zola
Week 10 marks the turn of the calendar to June. The first week of the month brings a relatively quiet 93-game week, beginning with nine evening affairs on Monday. Tuesday features 15 games under the lights, with the first matinee set for Wednesday.
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Six teams play seven games, while the other 24 clubs are slated for six contests. The Arizona Diamondbacks and Minnesota Twins are at home for seven games, while the Kansas City Royals and San Francisco Giants are on the road for their septet.
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Week 10 features an interesting group of two-start pitchers. Joe Ryan heads the list and he’s one of the few established aces slated for two appearances. However, there are a slew of emerging pitchers, with a few up-and-coming aces pulling double duty. Examples include Chase Burns, Cam Schlittler, Emmet Sheehan, Connelly Early, Jose Soriano, and Bubba Chandler.
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It’s a great week to focus on Milwaukee Brewers hitters as they begin the week with a four-game set against the Giants before heading to Coors Field for a weekend series with the Colorado Rockies. The Giants’ road ERA in May is the 11th highest in the league. Christian Yelich is rostered in only 77% of ESPN leagues, while Jake Bauers (38.8%) and especially Andrew Vaughn (4.9%) and Garrett Mitchell (3.1%) merit consideration.
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Speaking of the Brewers, they are tied with the Cubs for the fewest stolen bases allowed in May, both allowing only three, with the Brewers throwing out a pair and the Cubs just one. The Giants don’t run much, but the Rockies’ Jake McCarthy and Tyler Freeman are active on the basepaths but may be slowed down next weekend.
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Coincidentally, the Cubs play the Giants to close out Week 10 but square off with the Athletics to open the week. Zack Gelof, Lawrence Butler, and Henry Bolte may not be as productive since steals are a major aspect of their game.
*Be sure to check out the full Forecaster before locking your lineups for Week 10.
May 29: Friday’s news to know
Jared Jones is finally ready to get back on a major league mound for the first time since 2024. APBy Todd ZolaAfter a light Thursday, everyone is back in action today, with all 15 games being played under the lights. The Cincinnati Reds and Atlanta Braves will get things going at Great American Ball Park, beginning at 6:40 p.m. ET.
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Pittsburgh Pirates 3B Nick Gonzales aggravated an injury to his left knee last night and left the game early. He previously fouled a ball off his knee on Sunday but has been playing through lingering soreness. Rookie Tyler Callihan replaced Gonzales in the fourth inning and could see more action if Gonzales is sidelined.
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The Pirates were already down an infielder, with SS Konnor Griffin on the bench as a result of a sore right forearm. He was reportedly available to pinch hit but was not needed in the team’s 7-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Jared Triolo filled in last night, with Griffin expected to return for tonight’s home date with the Minnesota Twins.
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Jared Jones is set to make his 2026 debut tonight at PNC Park. The Pirates’ right-hander has been recovering from UCL surgery conducted just over a year ago. He made five rehab starts, the final two with Triple-A Indianapolis, allowing a combined five earned runs over 8 2/3 IP, with 13 strikeouts and five free passes. He reached 76 pitches in his last outing, so if he’s efficient and effective, Jones could complete five frames tonight.
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The Boston Red Sox will send Tyler Samaniego to the hill to start the opener of their three-game road series against the Cleveland Guardians, followed by Brayan Bello. Bello has served as the primary pitcher three times over his last four appearances, posting a 0.38 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP, with 17 strikeouts over 18 1/3 innings. In the one game he started over this stretch, Bello yielded seven runs on eight hits over five frames.
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The Washington Nationals will also deploy the opener/bulk reliever plan tonight, with Paxton Schultz passing the baton to Andrew Alvarez. The pair are filling in for Jake Irvin, who was placed on the 15-day IL last Sunday due to a strained shoulder. Alvarez sports a 2.84 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP over four relief appearances, spanning 12 1/3 innings. He threw at least 48 pitches in three of his appearances, with a high of 62, so he should be able to handle multiple innings at home against the San Diego Padres.
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The Guardians will be without OF Steven Kwan for at least tonight’s game against the Red Sox after placing him on the bereavement list. This move permits a player to miss up to three games.
