ESPN FantasyApr 5, 2026, 09:22 AM ETCloseFollow on XMultiple Authors
April 1: No joke! Shohei Ohtani might reach 1,000 fantasy points
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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Saturday featured the first doubleheader of the season, and it took only 24 hours for another after yesterday’s Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Guardians interleague affair was postponed until today. The 16-game docket gets started at 1:10 p.m. ET with the opener of the single-admission doubleheader.
With most teams having completed two full rotation turns over the season’s first week and a half, it’s the aces who lead the two-start pitcher list for fantasy’s Week 2.
Opening Day starters Sandy Alcantara, Tanner Bibee, Zac Gallen, Freddy Peralta, Kevin Gausman, Logan Gilbert, Nick Pivetta, Joe Ryan, Chris Sale and Tarik Skubal all project for two-start weeks and dominate the weekly pitching rankings.
To see those pitcher rankings, along with all of Week 2’s ratings, scheduling quirks and pitcher projections, go right here. For all projections and ratings for the next 10 days, go here for pitchers and here for hitters. These are updated at least daily all season.
Fantasy baseball managers should race to the waiver wire right now and claim the No. 1 prospect in the game, Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Konnor Griffin.
As he’s the rare prospect who can make an immediate impact in any fantasy format, no matter how shallow, it would be the right kind of roster-rate spike. After all, Griffin’s long-term talent has been compared to the handful of players who debuted before their 20th birthdays (as he will), a group that most notably includes recent and current superstars Bryce Harper, Juan Soto and Mike Trout.
That’s still makes him an effectively “must add” prospect, especially based upon his certain Rookie of the Year-caliber upside.
In his regular-season debut on Tuesday, Ohtani threw six shutout innings of one-hit baseball worth 22 fantasy points. Give him 20-25 starts with that level of production and we could be ready to witness something legendary.
For those wondering whether a 19-year-old (although Griffin will turn 20 on April 24) can make a high-level fantasy impact rather than struggle to adjust to the game’s highest competitive environment, the five hitters to debut as teenagers within the first two months of any of the past 40 seasons — Soto, Harper, Aramis Ramirez, Edgar Renteria and Ken Griffey Jr. — averaged 112 games played, 14 HR, 49 RBI, 11 SB and 65 runs scored while hitting .277/.350/.441. That supports Griffin’s candidacy to be an immediate top-10 fantasy shortstop, while also illustrating the challenge a player of his young age faces in adapting to MLB pitching.
The final game of the day pits the Detroit Tigers against the St. Louis Cardinals in Motown. Justin Verlander was scheduled to start for the Tigers, but he was placed on the 15-day IL yesterday due to left hip inflammation. Keider Montero was recalled from Triple-A Toledo to take the hill in Verlander’s stead. Masyn Winn could be back for the Cardinals after missing yesterday’s tilt with left hip tightness. Thomas Saggese took his spot at shortstop in the 11-6 loss to the Tigers.
Sal Frelick is considered day-to-day after he left the nightcap between the Milwaukee Brewers and Kansas City Royals with an oblique strain. He has been experiencing soreness in the area and is expected to undergo testing to determine the extent of the injury. Brandon Lockridge came in for Frelick and is the likely candidate for the Brewers to lean on if Frelick misses today’s finale.
Brendan Donovan was on the bench for the Seattle Mariners’ Saturday 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Angels. He stumbled over first base on Friday night, but imaging came back clean. Even so, the club played it safe with Leo Rivas handling the hot corner. Donovan’s status today is unclear.
Mookie Betts left last night’s game with a sore back, with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicating that Betts underwent imaging and is expected to miss at least today’s road affair with the Washington Nationals. Miguel Rojas took over at shortstop and is expected to be in today’s lineup.
Juan Soto missed yesterday’s New York Mets’ 9-0 shutout over the San Francisco Giants. He was diagnosed with a minor right calf strain and is considered day-to-day. The club is hopeful that Soto can avoid an IL visit. Yesterday was just the eighth game he’s missed since 2022.
The Minnesota Twins held Byron Buxton out of yesterday’s 7-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays after he was hit on the forearm by a pitch on Friday. He was reportedly available off the bench, so Buxton might be back in the lineup today.
Alejandro Kirk was placed on the 10-day IL after suffering a fractured left thumb due to being hit with a foul tip. He’s scheduled for evaluation tomorrow, at which time it will be determined if surgery is necessary. Tyler Heineman will serve as the Toronto Blue Jays’ primary catcher, with Brandon Valenzuela called up from Triple-A Buffalo to be the backup.
Saturday marks the first day with bonus baseball, as Friday’s scheduled contest between the Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers was postponed and will be made up today as part of a day-night doubleheader. The 16-game slate kicks off at 1:10 p.m. ET with the St. Louis Cardinals visiting the Detroit Tigers.
Seattle Mariners’ Brendan Donovan exited last night’s game in the seventh inning after stumbling over first base while trying to beat out a grounder. Leo Rivas took over at the hot corner, and Donovan’s status is still unclear. If he needs to miss time, Rivas could fill in, or the Mariners could turn to top prospect Colt Emerson, who they just signed to an eight-year, $95 million contract extension earlier this week.
Juan Soto left last night’s game in the first inning with a sore calf. The injury occurred as he attempted to go from first to third. His status for tonight’s New York Mets road affair with the San Francisco Giants is uncertain.
The Mets were already down a man with Jorge Polanco missing last night’s game due to a sore Achilles. He’s been limited to designated hitter, but last night he was unable to play. If Polanco remains out, Mark Vientos and Brett Baty would help fill in.
The Giants were also playing short-handed after Casey Schmitt was scratched with a tight back. With Rafael Devers limited to designated hitter, Jerar Encarnacion picked up the start at first base. Schmitt is considered day-to-day.
Byron Buxton had to leave last night’s game in the seventh inning after being hit in the forearm by a pitch. X-rays were negative, and he’s been diagnosed with a bruise. James Outman took over last night and could see more action if Buxton isn’t able to play in today’s matinee between the Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays.
The Chicago Cubs placed Cade Horton on the 15-day IL after he left Friday’s game with a forearm injury. The severity is currently unknown, but he’s scheduled for imaging later this weekend. Ben Brown is the leading candidate to take the open spot in the rotation.
The Arizona Diamondbacks placed Jordan Lawlar on the 10-day IL after he was diagnosed with a fractured right wrist. The rookie was hit by a pitch Thursday and is expected to be out for six to eight weeks. Tim Tawa and Jorge Barrosa are set to see more action.
The Houston Astros will be without Isaac Paredes for their weekend set with the Athletics. He was placed on bereavement leave Friday. Despite lacking a regular position, Paredes played in six of the Astros’ first eight games, though he was on the bench for two of the previous three heading into last night’s AL West affair.
Masyn Winn left last night’s game in the seventh inning with a tight left hip. He appeared to injure it while hustling to first in the fifth inning. JJ Wetherholt started the game on the bench but came in to play second base, with Thomas Saggese sliding over to shortstop.
Carter Jensen was scratched from last night’s series finale between the Royals and Twins because he arrived late to the ballpark after sleeping through his alarm. Salvador Perez had been slated to serve as the DH but had to strap on the gear and catch. Jac Caglianone took over DH duties and Lane Thomas started in right field. Jensen is expected back in the lineup tonight.
Grant Taylor will start this afternoon for the Chicago White Sox when they take on the Toronto Blue Jays in the first game on the South Side this season. The White Sox’ opener had been scheduled for yesterday, but inclement weather pushed it to today. Taylor is expected to throw two or three innings before handing the ball over to Sean Burke to serve as the bulk reliever.
The Twins face their third straight lefty, with the Royals giving the ball to Cole Ragans. In both of the past two games, Austin Martin started in left field and Victor Caratini started at first base, leaving Trevor Larnach and Kody Clemens on the bench. Larnach managed to find his way to the plate just once in those games, while Clemens did not appear at all. Both are risky starts against Ragans.
It was a rough defensive night for Casey Schmitt, as the first baseman failed to handle a pair of catchable throws from third baseman Matt Chapman. The Giants manager indicated that he still has confidence in Schmitt as he learns the position, but right-handed Jerar Encarnacion will likely get the nod tonight when the Giants welcome lefty David Peterson and the Mets to Oracle Park. Regular first baseman Rafael Devers remains limited to DH duties as he nurses a tight left hamstring.