News: Red Sox, Mets promote pitching prospects

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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August 29: What you need to know for Friday

Todd Zola: Tonight's 15-game slate gets underway at 6:40 p.m. ET with the St. Louis Cardinals visiting the Cincinnati Reds. After a week with cooperation from Mother Nature, two spots bear watching this evening. The bigger threat is in Fenway Park where the Boston Red Sox are scheduled to host the Pittsburgh Pirates. There is also some concern at Coors Field with the Colorado Rockies entertaining the Chicago Cubs.

• Weather permitting, Payton Tolle will make his MLB debut for the Red Sox. It's been a meteoric rise for the 22-year-old lefty. He began the season with High-A Greenville, then moved to Double-A Portland before making three starts for Triple-A Worcester. At 6-foot-6, 250 pounds, Tolle is an imposing figure. He throws his fastball in the low 90s, but his perceived velocity is higher due to his frame and extension. Tolle also uses a low-80s slider. He has a chance to make a few starts with Richard Fitts sidelined, and Kyle Harrison struggling in the minors.

• The New York Mets are also promoting one of their top pitching prospects, summoning Jonah Tong for a spot start. The club wants to give all of their rotation an extra day of rest, so they are calling up the 22-year-old righty for what could be a one-time visit. Tong opened the season with Double-A Binghamton, posting a 1.68 ERA and an 0.92 WHIP with 162 strikeouts over 102 innings before advancing to Triple-A Syracuse. In his two starts at the highest minor league level, he registered 11 2/3 scoreless innings with 17 punchouts. His combined 179 strikeouts lead the minor leagues.

• Corey Seager underwent an appendectomy yesterday, so he will be out until at least mid-September. However, if the Texas Rangers fall out of playoff contention, they may opt to shut down their prized shortstop. In other club news, Evan Carter will be transferred to the 60-day IL today, officially ending his season. Dylan Moore, recently released by the Seattle Mariners, will join the Rangers and take Carter's 40-man roster spot.

• Connor Norby is slated to return to the Miami Marlins' lineup tonight. He's been out since July 13 after undergoing surgery on his left hamate bone. Norby hopes to finish strong, salvaging a disappointing year where he hit only .241/.289/.364 prior to being sidelined. The 25-year-old third baseman recorded a .353/.421/.765 line in 19 plate appearances while rehabbing with Triple-A Jacksonville.

August 28: What you need to know for Thursday

Todd Zola: There are only eight games on today's ledger, with five matinees and three evening affairs. Action gets underway at 1:05 p.m. ET in Camden Yards with the Baltimore Orioles attempting to avoid being swept by the Boston Red Sox.

• The Red Sox will activate Rob Refsnyder from the 10-day IL in advance of this afternoon's contest. He's been sidelined for almost two weeks due to a sore oblique. Refsnyder will likely be in the lineup with the Orioles handing the ball to lefty Cade Povich. Refsnyder replaces Nathaniel Lowe on the roster, with Lowe heading to the paternity list. Romy Gonzalez will likely handle first base until Lowe rejoins the club.

• Quinn Priester was scratched last night with the Milwaukee Brewers opting to give him a couple of extra days to deal with a wrist issue. Priester is now slated to start on Saturday. Aaron Ashby served as the team's opener with newly acquired Erick Fedde handling bulk duties in the 3-2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before the game, it was announced that closer Trevor Megill had been placed on the 15-day IL due to a Grade 1 flexor strain. Imaging revealed no damage, so Megill is optimistic he can return after the minimum IL visit.

• Yainer Diaz missed his second straight game last night with a hand issue. The Houston Astros were forced to call up Cesar Salazar from Triple-A Sugar Land to be behind the plate. Regular backup Victor Caratini is in the league's concussion protocol. Diaz's status for this afternoon's rubber game with the Colorado Rockies is unclear.

• The Chicago White Sox placed Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day IL thanks to a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, likely ending his season. The club holds a $20 million team option on the oft-injured outfielder. In 110 games, Robert hit .223/.297/.364 with a career-high 33 steals. In other White Sox news, rookie shortstop Colson Montgomery missed his second consecutive game last night as a result of lingering soreness in his left side. He's day-to-day with the team hosting the New York Yankees this evening.