Fantasy baseball: Royals still waiting on Witt Jr. and other Thursday newsBobby Witt Jr. didn’t play on Wednesday, but was mentioned to be available to return for the Royals. Keith Gillett/Icon SportswireESPN FantasyJun 25, 2026, 07:17 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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June 25: Thursday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
Today’s nine-game docket gets underway at 12:10 p.m. ET with the Tampa Bay Rays hosting the Kansas City Royals in the finale of a four-game series. A pair of matinees follow, leaving six early evening affairs to round out the schedule.
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The Rays will open with righty Casey Legumina before tagging in Ian Seymour as the primary pitcher. They’re trying to even the series, with the Royals having captured the first two games before the Rays claimed a victory last night.
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Bobby Witt Jr. was reportedly available off the bench last night but didn’t appear for the fifth straight game. He remains day-to-day as a result of a Grade-1 MCL sprain. Maikel Garcia was not available as the Royals placed him on the 10-day IL due to a muscle strain in his left hand. Nick Loftin filled in at the hot corner and figures to see most of the action there while Garcia is on the shelf.
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The Seattle Mariners activated Randy Arozarena from the 10-day IL before last night’s game. Connor Joe was optioned to Triple-A Tacoma in the corresponding move. Arozarena returned to the everyday left fielder role, pushing Victor Robles back into reserve. Prior to getting hurt, Arozarena was on pace for his best season since 2021.
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Spencer Horwitz left last night’s contest in the fourth inning due to a sore left hamstring. Esmerlyn Valdez replaced him in the Pittsburgh Pirates lineup, with Tyler Callihan coming in from right field to handle first base. Horwitz’s status for this afternoon’s rubber game at home against the Mariners is unclear.
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In other Pirates news, Konnor Griffin embarked on a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona yesterday. He’s been sidelined all month thanks to a right forearm strain but the rookie hopes to return this weekend.
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Jacob Wilson had to exit last night’s contest in the ninth inning due to a sore shoulder. He initially suffered the injury in the fifth inning when avoiding a tag at home plate. The club was already playing short-handed, with Zack Gelof out from lacerations on his hand. If neither can play today, the Athletics may have to add an infielder prior to their matchup with the San Francisco Giants. Max Muncy is the team’s only reserve infielder and he was subbing for Gelof. Catcher Jonah Heim had to play third base to end last night’s game. The Athletics will try to avoid being swept at Oracle Park.
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For the second straight game, Kyle Schwarber didn’t start for the Philadelphia Phillies. However, he appeared as a pinch-hitter in the top of the ninth and coaxed a walk ahead of Derek Hill’s two-run homer, which turned out to be the game-winning hit. Schwarber has been nursing a sore back, but last night’s appearance bodes well for a return to today’s lineup when the Phillies visit the Washington Nationals for the finale of a four-game set.
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The Texas Rangers are hopeful that Corey Seager clears the league’s concussion protocol in time to be activated prior to their road date with the Toronto Blue Jays. The shortstop last appeared on June 11, when he collided with Royals catcher Carter Jensen while trying to score. Ezequiel Duran has been serving as the club’s shortstop, but when Seager returns, Duran will slide to third, sending Nicky Lopez to the bench.
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Francisco Lindor was activated from the IL between games of yesterday’s doubleheader featuring the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs. He started and went 0-for-5 in the 10-5 loss. The Mets fell 10-3 in the opener, as they played both ends without Juan Soto, who remains sidelined with a sore back. The Cubs will be going for the four-game sweep at Citi Field this evening.
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The Boston Red Sox may be without one of their hottest hitters when they return home to face the New York Yankees. Caleb Durbin was diagnosed with a subluxation of his left pinky after hurting his hand sliding into first base yesterday. After recently consulting with Aaron Judge’s hitting coach, Durbin had posted a .458/.480/.833 line over the past week.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Thursday.
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June 24: Wednesday’s news to know
Juan Soto was hitting .432 in his last 11 games prior to his back locking up on Tuesday. APBy Todd ZolaWe have bonus baseball today with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs making up Monday’s rainout as part of a split doubleheader at Citi Field. The opener starts at 1:10 p.m. ET, one hour after the first game of the day, which features the Texas Rangers visiting the Miami Marlins.
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Edward Cabrera left last night’s game between the Cubs and Mets after five innings after he strained his hamstring while covering first base to end the frame. The righty is set to be placed on the IL today, with the extent of the injury to be determined by an MRI. Matthew Boyd is expected to be activated from the IL to start on Thursday, but with today’s twin bill, the Cubs will need someone to take Cabrera’s spot on Sunday.
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Juan Soto left the matchup after four innings when his back locked up. His status for today’s pair of games is unclear, with MJ Melendez and Eric Wagaman in line to play for the Mets if Soto remains sidelined.
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The Philadelphia Phillies were without Kyle Schwarber for last night’s 14-9 road win over the Washington Nationals. The MLB leader in home runs was scratched due to a tight lower back. Edmundo Sosa filled in at DH. Schwarber’s status is uncertain for tonight’s Game 3 of the four-game set between NL East combatants.
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Zack Gelof of the Athletics left last night’s game in the bottom of the second inning after Matt Chapman’s cleat landed on Gelof’s hand when Chapman was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. After the game, manager Mark Kotsay indicated that Gelof avoided a fracture but suffered lacerations and a contusion. Jeff McNeil replaced him last night, though Max Muncy will also work into the mix if Gelof is forced to miss more time.
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Kyle Tucker missed last night’s game after exiting Monday’s contest early due to lower-back spasms. Following Tuesday’s contest, Los Angeles Dodgers manager revealed that Tucker will also miss tonight’s finale of their interleague set with the Minnesota Twins. Alex Call will likely be in right field tonight when the Dodgers go for the sweep at Target Field.
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Nick Lodolo was hit in the wrist by a line drive in the fourth inning of last night’s matchup between the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers. He completed the inning but didn’t come out for the fifth. X-rays were negative and the club is hopeful the lefty will be able to make his next start.
