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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April 14: Justin Steele done for the year
Stephania Bell: It turns out the episode of forearm soreness that Steele experienced in late 2024 was an indicator of things to come, as his 2025 season has come to an abrupt conclusion. He went from being placed on the 15-day IL after feeling discomfort in his last start to preparing to undergo surgery Friday on his left elbow to repair a torn flexor tendon and address any associated injury to the UCL, per Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell.
Dr. Keith Meister will perform the surgery and will decide during the procedure what the extent will be, specifically whether the UCL requires a repair or a full reconstruction. Since Steele underwent Tommy John surgery originally in 2017 while in the minor leagues, a second such reconstructive procedure — should it be required — would be classified as a revision.
His case is illustrative of the scenario for so many pitchers: stress on the medial (inner) elbow from repeated throwing places all structures that reinforce that side under major stress. The flexor tendon (which is the attachment point to the elbow for the flexor-pronator muscle group, the muscles responsible for flexing the wrist, rotating the forearm and, most importantly for pitchers, controlling grip) is often injured in association with the UCL.
Especially in an athlete who has undergone prior elbow surgery, imaging may not provide a complete picture, as the tissues involved are already altered and the presence of swelling may further cloud the issue. The surgeon also needs to visually inspect the graft construct in the operating room to assess the tissue quality and extent of damage in order to determine what makes the most sense from a surgical repair standpoint.
Even if Steele were to undergo a repair with InternalBrace, the fact that this is Steele’s second major elbow surgery (combined with the addition of the flexor tendon repair) warrants a bit more caution during the rehab process. While a better projection of a timeline will emerge after surgery is complete, the successful return of pitchers following a second major elbow surgery in recent years tells us that revision procedures are improving and there is reason to be optimistic that Steele will be able to make it back.
April 14: What you need to know for Monday
Todd Zola: Monday’s 10-game slate gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET with Brad Lord and the Washington Nationals visiting Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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As Stephania noted, the Chicago Cubs will be without LHP Justin Steele for the remainder of the 2025 season and perhaps part of next year, too. RHP Colin Rea is the likely replacement until RHP Javier Assad can return from an oblique issue. The club needs RHP Ben Brown to step up and help fill the void.
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Toronto Blue Jays OF George Springer is questionable for tonight’s home interleague affair with the Atlanta Braves. Springer hurt his wrist yesterday and left the game early. Postgame X-rays were negative. He’s due for further evaluation today.
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Colorado Rockies OF Brenton Doyle missed his third straight game as he nurses a tight left quad. He’s questionable for tonight’s road date with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The club returns home on Friday for a weekend set with the Nationals.
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The Rockies promoted 2B Adael Amador, one of their top prospects, in advance of yesterday’s series finale in San Diego. Amador took the roster spot vacated when Tyler Freeman was placed on the 10-day IL for a sore oblique. Amador will compete with Kyle Farmer for time at the keystone.
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Those playing in weekly leagues will want to activate Braves RHP Spencer Strider this week as he’s set to debut on Wednesday on the road against the Blue Jays. Strider has been dominant in three rehab efforts, fanning 27 while walking five in 13 2/3 frames with Triple-A Gwinnett. Strider is returning from having the InternalBrace procedure on his right elbow. He also underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019.
Apr 13: What you need to know for Sunday
Sunday’s 15-game slate gets underway at 1:35 PM ET with a pair of contests, to be followed by four more games five minutes later. The ESPN Sunday night affair features the Chicago Cubs visiting the Los Angeles Dodgers.
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A pair of shortstops were placed on the IL yesterday beginning with Washington Nationals CJ Abrams resting his right hip flexor for at least 10 days. Paul DeJong is expected to move off the hit corner and cover shortstop with Jose Tena and Amed Rosario handling third base for what manager Dave Martinez hopes is a minimum stay for Abrams.
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St. Louis Cardinals Masyn Winn will be sidelined for at least 10 days with back spasms. Nolan Gorman will come off the IL to take Winn’s roster spot, though Thomas Saggese is slated to fill in at shortstop. Gorman played sparingly before injuring his hamstring. There still isn’t a spot for him in the lineup, though he could pick up action as DH versus left-handers if Luken Baker were to struggle.
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The Minnesota Twins demoted Jose Miranda to Triple-A St. Paul, clearing a spot for 3B Brooks Lee to return from the IL. Lee should take over at third base with Willi Castro also seeing action at the hot corner. Edouard Julien’s playing time may also tick up with Miranda in the minors.
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Cincinnati Reds 1B Christian Encarnacion-Strand is not starting for the second straight game on Sunday. Recently recalled 3B Noelvi Marte will be at third base with Jeimer Candelario handling first base. The Reds offense needs a spark and Marte was off to a .353/.425/.529 start with three steals for Triple-A Louisville. Encarnacion-Strand has a pair of early homers, but his overall line of .163/.192/.306 is contributing to the club’s offensive woes.
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The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up RHP Joe Boyle to start today’s interleague tilt with the Atlanta Braves. Boyle was impressive in the spring but was sent to Triple-A Durham to start the season. In two starts for the Bulls, Boyle fanned 10 in eight innings, but he issued six walks, driving up his pitch count. The move is intended to give the rest of the rotation extra rest. However, if Boyle pitches well today, he could put some pressure on RHP Zack Littell to get on track. Littell posted a 6.88 ERA over his first three starts, punching out just 14 while allowing five homers.
