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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Key links: RP depth chart | Player Rater | Scoring leaders
Thursday’s lineup advice | 10-day hitting forecaster

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September 25: What you need to know for Thursday

Todd Zola: Today is the last partial slate of the season, with only 24 of the 30 teams in action. The first game begins at 12:40 p.m. ET with the Pittsburgh Pirates going for the three-game road sweep over the Cincinnati Reds. After their straight two losses, the Reds are currently tied with the Arizona Diamondbacks, both teams one game behind the New York Mets for the final NL wild-card slot.

• The Cleveland Guardians reported that David Fry suffered a broken nose and facial fractures after being hit by a 99 mph Tarik Skubal fastball on Tuesday night. The ball first glanced off his bat as Fry was attempting to bunt. The six-to-eight week prognosis for recovery means Fry’s season is likely over.

• The Pirates may be without Oneil Cruz for Thursday’s matinee after he hurt his ankle jumping into the center field wall while attempting to catch what would become Noelvi Marte‘s eighth-inning inside-the-park home run. Cruz finished the inning in the field but was replaced for the ninth. With the fast turnaround time between contests, he is questionable for today’s series finale against the Reds.

• Jeremy Pena missed his third straight game Wednesday due to left oblique soreness. The Houston Astros were defeated by the Athletics in Sacramento for the second straight game. The Astros remain one game behind the Detroit Tigers for the final AL wild-card spot, but the Tigers hold the tiebreaker.

• Ramon Laureano left last night’s game in the second inning as a result of an injury. After the game, San Diego Padres manager Mike Shildt indicated Laureano was diagnosed with a fractured finger and will be sidelined at least through the wild-card round. Gavin Sheets and Bryce Johnson will likely share left field duties.

• The Minnesota Twins will be without Luke Keaschall for their final four games. The rookie sprained his thumb on Tuesday, then missed last night’s contest. He has been shut down for the season. Keaschall will be re-evaluated next week, with the chance of offseason surgery in the mix.

• A day after announcing that Marcus Semien and Corey Seager were done for the season, the Texas Rangers have now announced that Wyatt Langford‘s season is also over. The young outfielder has been playing through a lingering side issue and, with the playoffs no longer on the table, Langford will end the season with a .775 OPS, 22 homers and 22 steals in 134 games.

• The Philadelphia Phillies played without both Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto last night, but they still prevailed 11-1 over the Miami Marlins, clinching a first-round bye. They still have a chance to overtake the Milwaukee Brewers for top record in the Senior Circuit. Harper sat out his second straight game due to an illness, while Realmuto was sidelined due to a sore finger resulting from being hit by a foul tip on Tuesday. It’s unclear if either will play in today’s early-evening tilt with the Marlins.

• The Toronto Blue Jays will try to avoid being swept by the Red Sox at Rogers Centre this evening. Losing the first two games of the series has dropped the Blue Jays into a tie with the New York Yankees for top spot in the AL East, but both teams have already clinched postseason berths. As for the Red Sox, the magic number is 1 to have three AL East teams playing in the postseason.