News and notes: Yankees activate Aaron Judge. Should you do the same?

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. Key links: RP depth chart | Player Rater | Scoring leaders 10-day pitching forecaster | 10-day hitting forecaster Sept. 8: Yankees activate Judge By Tristan H. Cockcroft Exactly 99 days after his last appearance for the team, No. 99 -- Aaron Judge -- was activated by the New York Yankees on Monday night. He'll rejoin the lineup for their series opener against the Colorado Rockies at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday night. Fantasy managers will instinctually race to get Judge back into their lineups with this news and, considering your likely alternatives in the outfield, it's a logical move. But those in ESPN standard leagues should take advantage of the daily lineup flexibility, as we probably won't see full-strength, or full-usage, Judge over the next few days. Yankees manager Aaron Boone indicated over the weekend that Judge, who wasn't sent on a minor league rehab assignment prior to activation, might still require a ramping-up process as he works himself back to full strength. "Maybe it's playing a game, having an off day," Boone told The Athletic's Chris Kirschner. "Maybe it is playing 5, 6, 7 innings in a game and get him out. Those things are on the table." Considering the lengthy absence and the fact that Judge only resumed hitting roughly three weeks ago, it's expected that he'll likely need workload management, otherwise he might struggle to recapture full form if he's immediately restored into an everyday role. Frequent starts as a DH, early exits from games (particularly blowouts in either direction) and days off might be the norm over at least the next week. This is where the ESPN standard league format grants Judge's managers an advantage, as those willing to monitor the Yankees' daily lineup release will know which days he's starting and, therefore, worth using. Be sure to check out the latest fantasy lineup advice as well as the MLB betting tips for Tuesday. One advantage Judge gains is that the visiting Rockies have some of the weakest pitching in baseball, their staff ERA a major league-worst 5.47 (and a third-worst 5.09 ERA if only counting road games). During this series, they're scheduled to start Gabriel Hughes, Tomoyuki Sugano and Ryan Feltner, pitchers who combined have a 5.64 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, 15.8% strikeout rate and average of one home run allowed per 22.5 at-bats. Judge is also 7-for-9 with three homers against Sugano in his career. Judge would be a clear fantasy starter for any of those games he starts, even with the prospect of early exits, and that these favorable matchups come this quickly in his return only helps us evaluate him for tougher, later-September assignments. Figure that Judge will make two starts in the Rockies series and probably put forth quality hitting stats, but he might struggle more against tougher New York Mets pitching -- Nolan McLean on Friday represents the toughest upcoming Judge matchup -- and therefore be an iffier call for that three-game series. Expect closer to full-form Judge in roughly 10 days -- which is good timing, consider it would align him for a potentially full-force version of himself right in time for head-to-head championship matchups in ESPN leagues. Sept. 7: Monday's news to know By Todd Zola There are only 11 games on the Labor Day slate, beginning at 1:05 p.m. ET with the Philadelphia Phillies hosting the Atlanta Braves. The Baltimore Orioles placed Luis Robert Jr. on the 10-day IL with a sore left hamstring. The club claimed him off waivers from the New York Mets last weekend. He played three games with his new team before suffering the injury. The Orioles called up Rece Hinds from Triple-A Norfolk to fill the roster spot. Imaging revealed that Jac Caglianone is dealing with a Grade 1 flexor strain in his left elbow. The Kansas City Royals held him out of Sunday's game and will re-evaluate him before today's matinee with the Arizona Diamondbacks. Ian Happ missed the Chicago Cubs' matchup with the Miami Marlins with a sore left knee. He was slated to start Sunday but gave way to Tyrone Taylor. Happ is day-to-day with the club set to open a road set with the Milwaukee Brewers this afternoon. Nick Pivetta will toe a major league rubber for the first time since mid-April when he starts today for the San Diego Padres. The righty has been out with a sore forearm. Pivetta made three rehab starts for Triple-A El Paso, logging 64 pitches in his final outing, so he'll likely be on a pitch count. The Cincinnati Reds indicated that Chase Burns' workload will be limited for the rest of the season. At least for now, he'll start on regular rest, but he'll only handle a couple of innings Sunday before giving way to Brandon Williamson when the Reds visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers are expected to recall Emmet Sheehan to oppose the Reds. The righty spent August with Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 1.50 ERA and 0.94 WHIP with 24 strikeouts over 18 frames. Sheehan will serve as the bulk reliever in his return to the majors. In other club news, manager Dave Roberts is optimistic that Shohei Ohtani will return to the lineup tonight, filling his usual designated hitter role.