Fantasy baseball: Yelich’s return, Ewing’s debut and other Wednesday newsESPN FantasyMay 13, 2026, 07:28 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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May 13: Wednesday’s news to know
By Todd Zola
After two days with no matinees, afternoon baseball returns today with a pair of early games, beginning with the Baltimore Orioles hosting the New York Yankees at 1:05 p.m. ET. Five minutes later, the Cleveland Guardians and Los Angeles Angels get underway at Progressive Field. Action picks up again at 6:40 p.m. ET with 13 evening affairs.
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Christian Yelich returned to the Milwaukee Brewers lineup last night after missing a month due to a left groin strain. He was the team’s DH, batting in his familiar three-hole, but fanned twice while going hitless in four at-bats. With Yelich back, Jake Bauers and Andrew Vaughn will likely settle into a first base platoon, with Bauers on the busier side.
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A.J. Ewing made his MLB debut last night and provided the New York Mets with a much-needed spark. He hit eighth in the lineup, going 1-for-2 with three walks, two runs, two RBI, and a steal. His first hit was a three-bagger, helping the club to a 10-2 home win over the Detroit Tigers. However, C Francisco Alvarez left the game in the sixth inning after hurting his knee while taking a hard swing. He’s set for imaging today, with Luis Torrens the likely replacement if Alvarez can’t play in today’s middle game of a three-game set.
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Ewing wasn’t the only outfield prospect to get called up, with the Athletics promoting Henry Bolte from Triple-A Las Vegas. Keeping in mind that the Pacific Coast League is extremely hitter-friendly, Bolte hit .348/.418/.658 with 17 steals in 37 games for the Aviators. Even so, those are impressive numbers from a 22-year-old. Bolte’s role with the A’s is unclear, although Lawrence Butler is a candidate to lose playing time as he’s batting just .179/.278/.282 on the season.
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Bolte was called up to fill the roster spot created when SS Jacob Wilson was placed on the 10-day IL as a result of a left shoulder subluxation. Darell Hernaiz will handle shortstop while Wilson is out, which is expected to be for at least one month.
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The Texas Rangers could be without Brandon Nimmo when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the rubber game of an interleague set. He left last night’s game after hurting his left ankle in the sixth inning. X-rays were negative, so he’s listed as day-to-day with a sprain. Sam Haggerty is the likely replacement if Nimmo misses time.
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The Yankees placed Jose Caballero on the 10-day IL yesterday due to a right middle finger fracture. He’s hoping for a minimum stay, and manager Aaron Boone indicated that he expects Caballero will be reinstated as the starting shortstop when he returns. Boone’s choice of words suggests there is a small chance that Anthony Volpe could keep the job after he was called up to fill in. However, Max Schuemann handled the position in last night’s 6-2 road win over the Orioles.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates placed C Joey Bart on the 10-day IL with an infected left foot, backdating the move to Sunday. Endy Rodriguez was called up from Triple-A Indianapolis to serve as the backup behind the plate, with Henry Davis handling most of the catching duties. Rodriguez had posted a modest .221/.326/.301 line in 34 games down on the farm.
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The Atlanta Braves will be without C Sean Murphy for at least two months after he was placed on the 10-day IL courtesy of a broken left middle finger. He had been back for less than a week after returning from shoulder surgery. Jonah Heim served as Drake Baldwin’s backup while Murphy was out, but Heim was dealt to the Athletics on Monday, so the club signed veteran Sandy Leon to be the reserve backstop.
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And finally, in ESPN fantasy positional eligibility news, OF Fernando Tatis Jr. of the San Diego Padres played in his 10th game of the season at second base last night. That means he now officially adds 2B qualification in our game for the rest of the 2026 season.
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Be sure to check out the just in fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Wednesday.
May 12: Tuesday’s news to know
Leg cramps might be the only thing that can slow Chandler Simpson down. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn ImagesBy Todd ZolaAll 15 of today’s games will be played under the lights, beginning at 6:10 p.m. ET, with the Cleveland Guardians entertaining the Los Angeles Angels. Despite temperatures warming after an unseasonably cool April, scoring has been down this month, with an average of just 8.24 runs per game in May, compared to 9.1 runs per game through April 30.
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Chandler Simpson was forced out of last night’s game in the eighth inning due to a leg cramp. He was working on a 3-for-5 evening with three runs scored and two stolen bases. The speedster is quietly hitting .314 with 14 steals. The Tampa Bay Rays don’t consider the injury to be serious but, since he struggles against left-handed pitching, he’ll likely begin tonight’s road tilt with the Toronto Blue Jays on the bench. Lefty Patrick Corbin starts for the hosts.
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The Baltimore Orioles scratched Samuel Basallo prior to last night’s home battle with the New York Yankees. Basallo is experiencing some left knee discomfort but is expected to return to the lineup soon. That mentioned, his status for Game 2 of the series with the Yankees is unclear. Basallo has been one of the few bright spots on the Orioles, with a solid .270/.333/.470 line through the first quarter of the season.
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The New York Mets will reportedly promote OF A.J. Ewing in advance of tonight’s home affair with the Detroit Tigers. The club needs a spark, and regular center fielder Luis Robert Jr. is expected to be sidelined for at least the rest of the month. After batting .349/.481/.571 over 18 games with Double-A Binghamton to open the season, Ewing was promoted to Triple-A Syracuse, where he posted a .326/.393/.435 line. The 21-year-old rookie was a combined 17-for-18 in stolen bases. It’s unclear where he’ll bat in the order for the Mets. However, so far this season, he has drawn 22 walks while fanning just 20 times.
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There is good news for the beleaguered Houston Astros lineup, as SS Jeremy Pena is set to embark on a rehab assignment tonight, with the anticipation that he will be activated from the 10-day IL by the weekend. He’s been out for over a month due to a hamstring issue. The club will be without Carlos Correa for the rest of the season and currently also has C Yainer Diaz on the shelf.
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Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from last night’s start, with the Texas Rangers using a bullpen game in their 1-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Eovaldi stated left-side tightness. He’s listed as day-to-day, although there is no indication of when he may make his next start.
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The Blue Jays placed Addison Barger on the 10-day IL yesterday after he woke up with a sore elbow on Sunday. Imaging revealed no structural damage, just right elbow inflammation. He received a cortisone injection yesterday, shutting him down for three or four days. He’ll be reevaluated at the end of the week, with the club hopeful he’ll be back soon.
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Last time out, Brayan Bello had his best game of the season in the “bulk reliever” role. He’ll do so again tonight, following an opener, when the Boston Red Sox begin an interleague set in Fenway Park against the Philadelphia Phillies. After lefty Jovani Moran handled the first inning last week against the Detroit Tigers, Bello logged the next seven frames, allowing just one run while fanning seven.
May 11: Looking for a closer?
By Tristan H. Cockcroft
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ closer picture appears to have changed, as Gregory Soto (31.9% rostered in ESPN leagues) has emerged as the team’s go-to option in the ninth inning. He has both of the team’s last two successful save conversions. More importantly, he has five consecutive scoreless, hitless appearances while following Dennis Santana, the Pirates’ most logical alternative, in two of his last three outings.
Soto’s increased sweeper usage — a pitch which has generated a 45.2% whiff rate and is responsible for 17 of his 26 total strikeouts for the season — has made him a much tougher competitor at the back end of the bullpen. He’s a worthy add in all formats.
*Check out all of Tristan’s waiver-wire recommendations prior to locking in your lineups for the week.
