Everything happening in Major League Baseball takes on extra significance when viewed through the lens of fantasy baseball. From roster changes to minor league call-ups, injuries, and more, the news cycle constantly impacts player values in the fantasy baseball realm.
Our fantasy baseball buzz file, with insights from our ESPN fantasy writers, aims to equip fantasy managers with the information they need as news unfolds across MLB.
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March 24: AL East teams announce rotation decisions
Tristan H. Cockcroft: Both the Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays surprised fans with rotation updates on Tuesday, highlighting sleeper picks that could be valuable additions in larger leagues.
The Rays revealed that Ryan Pepiot, their innings leader from last season, will start the season on the IL due to right hip inflammation. This setback was unforeseen for a pitcher who was poised for progress with the team’s return to the pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. However, the Rays mentioned that Pepiot’s absence shouldn’t be extended. He might miss only three rotation turns and could be back by mid-April. Given the early stage of the season, Pepiot is a pitcher worth holding onto until his return.
Joe Boyle will take Pepiot’s place in the rotation on Saturday against the St. Louis Cardinals, albeit likely in a tandem start with Ian Seymour. It might be wiser to stash Seymour, who showcased promise with a 2.70 ERA and 28.8% strikeout rate in spring relief appearances. This opportunity could solidify his spot in the rotation, possibly displacing Nick Martinez. Notably, Martinez had his first start of 2026 pushed to Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers due to a minor hamstring issue.
On the other hand, the Red Sox named rookie Connelly Early as their fifth starter over Johan Oviedo. Oviedo will start the season in the bullpen, while Early will debut on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Despite facing a challenging matchup as a left-hander, Early’s diverse pitching arsenal and impressive minor league strikeout rate make him a compelling prospect. He could be relevant even in ESPN standard leagues, especially if his matchups are managed well.
Early should be a priority pickup, ranking closely behind high-potential pitchers like Shane Baz, Kris Bubic, and Edward Cabrera. Seymour falls within a slightly lower tier but is a recommended addition for AL-only and deeper mixed leagues.
