ESPN Fantasy
Aug 12, 2025, 11:26 AM ET
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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Tuesday's lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster
August 12: What you need to know for Tuesday
Todd Zola: Today's full slate consists of 15 evening affairs, with action commencing at 6:35 p.m. ET when the Baltimore Orioles host the Seattle Mariners. A few venues in midwestern cities could experience a little rain, with only the contest between the Detroit Tigers at the Chicago White Sox in jeopardy of any delay.
The Los Angeles Angels will send Victor Mederos to the hill tonight for their home tilt against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Tyler Anderson was originally slated to start but he was scratched due to back tightness. Earlier this season, Mederos pitched four innings for the Angels out of the bullpen, but he's been serving as a starter for Triple-A Salt Lake, logging a 3.39 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP over 87 2/3 innings. However, the 24-year-old right-hander recorded only 71 strikeouts while walking an overly generous 34 batters. He'll be making this start on just three days of rest, so even if he's effective, Mederos will need help from the bullpen.
Josh Hader was unavailable last night as he experienced left shoulder discomfort. The Houston Astros still managed to outlast the Boston Red Sox, winning 7-6 with Bennett Sousa fanning Roman Anthony with the tying run on second base to notch his fourth save. Hader's availability for tonight's contest is unclear.
Lars Nootbaar left last night's game after fouling a ball off his knee in the third inning. He initially stayed in but exited after a few innings. X-rays were negative so he's considered to be day-to-day with a bruised knee. The club is scheduled to face Colorado Rockies southpaw Kyle Freeland tonight, so the Cardinals may opt to give the lefty swinging Nootbaar the evening off.
The Tampa Bay Rays announced that Shane McClanahan's left arm was surgically repaired yesterday, ending his 2025 season without ever appearing in the majors. He had missed all of 2024 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, then had to deal with nerve irritation in his triceps earlier this year. The lefty is expected to be ready for 2026.
The Minnesota Twins anticipate that Matt Wallner will rejoin their lineup tonight after being on the paternity list since Saturday. The club got another boost from Byron Buxton's return last night. Buxton hit a home run in his first game back from the IL, though the Twins still fell 6-2 to the New York Yankees.
After missing Sunday's contest as a result of back stiffness, Bobby Witt Jr. was back in the lineup last night, going 2-for-5 in the Kansas City Royals' 7-4 win over the Washington Nationals. Witt is the No. 8 overall player on the ESPN Player Rater.
August 11: What you need to know for Monday
Todd Zola: Action gets underway at 6:10 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia Phillies visiting the Cincinnati Reds. Ten more games follow, with storms in the Midwest possibly affecting the Detroit Tigers hosting the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals entertaining the Washington Nationals.
The White Sox will open their contest with RHP Elvis Peguero, before passing the baton to LHP Tyler Alexander. Alexander has been serving in a swingman capacity, so he isn't fully stretched out enough to handle a starter's workload. How the Tigers handle their lineup will be intriguing since Kerry Carpenter and Colt Keith typically play against righties while Jahmai Jones and Andy Ibanez face southpaws. Chances are Carpenter and Keith will both get a first-inning at-bat with the platoon edge, with a chance they might be replaced once the lefty takes the hill.
Cristian Javier is slated to make his 2025 debut tonight when the Houston Astros host the Boston Red Sox in the opener of an important series for both clubs. The right-hander underwent Tommy John surgery in May 2024. He completed his rehab assignment with a 3⅔ inning effort for Triple-A Sugar Land. Over five rehab outings, Javier fanned 15 over 14 frames, but he also walked 15 hitters. The Red Sox aren't especially patient, but they can be one of the most productive offenses in the game. Javier will probably be limited to around 85 pitches, which is sufficient to complete five frames if he doesn't issue too many walks.
The Red Sox expect to have Carlos Narvaez back behind the plate tonight when they visit the Astros. One of the biggest surprises this season didn't start for the fourth straight game yesterday, but he was able to catch the seventh and eighth innings of Sunday's 6-2 loss to the San Diego Padres. Down on the farm, Kristian Campbell has hit .353/.457/.559 over Triple-A Worcester's past 19 games. He could be called up soon and become the team's regular first baseman.
The Minnesota Twins should garner a boost early this week with Byron Buxton's expected return -- perhaps as early as this evening when they take on the New York Yankees in the Bronx. Buxton has missed time due to a rib issue but passed a variety of tests over the weekend.
