Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Friday's game against the hosting Houston Astros that he doesn't expect first baseman Freddie Freeman (personal) to be back during this series. No decision has been made yet on if there will be a roster move to put him on the family emergency list. Freeman was originally in the Dodgers' lineup and was set to make his 105th start of the season on Friday against the Astros, but he needed to head back to Los Angeles as his family tends to an emergency regarding their three-year-old son. There's no timetable for Freeman's return, but both sides understand that the 34-year-old infielder should be at home with his family during this difficult time. His next real chance to rejoin the team will likely come during Tuesday's series opener against the division-rival San Diego Padres. In the meantime, Kike Hernandez and Cavan Biggio figure to draw the starts at the cold corner, depending on the matchup.

New York Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez broke out of his funk in Friday night's win over the visiting division-rival Atlanta Braves at Citi Field, picking up three hits and launching a grand slam in the victory. As part of a three-homer, seven-run inning for New York on Friday, Martinez hit a grand slam off Braves right-hander Charlie Morton to right field to give the Mets a 4-2 lead in the third inning. This performance was a much-needed jolt for the 36-year-old veteran slugger, who came into the day batting a frigid .184 (14-for-76) with a lone homer and six RBI in his last 21 games. Over his last seven contests, Martinez has looked better while hitting 9-for-29 (.310). With a .502 expected slugging percentage on Baseball Savant, Martinez remains a buy-low candidate for fantasy managers in need of power numbers.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon is out of the lineup on Friday night for Colorado's matchup against left-hander Kyle Harrison and the San Francisco Giants. This marks the second straight game that Blackmon will be on the Rockies bench. As of now there should be no concern in regards to the lefty's health, rather it'd appear he's getting a bit of rest while the Rockies trot out Kris Bryant in right field. The Rockies and Giants are also scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday, so this may just be a way to keep the 38-year-old fresh for the twinbill. Blackmon has hit for an .869 OPS in July, his best month in 2024 and should be expected to be back in the lineup at some point this weekend. The next chance Blackmon will get will be either against Blake Snell in the first game of the doubleheader or against Hayden Birdsong in the second game.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (personal) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Houston Astros. The veteran slugger has reportedly left the team to deal with a family issue. It's unclear how long Freeman is going to be gone while dealing with this problem. Cavan Biggio will take over at first base and bat seventh versus lefty Framber Valdez on Friday. Fantasy managers should get Freeman out of their lineups ahead of first pitch.

New York Yankees third baseman DJ LeMahieu is out of the starting lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Boston Red Sox. It's not shocking to see the 36-year-old taking a seat given how poorly he's swinging the bat. Oswaldo Cabrera will take over at third base and bat ninth versus right-hander Brayan Bello on Friday. Fantasy managers should adjust their lineups with LeMahieu sitting out.

New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) is expected to be activated from the injured list on Monday. The 34-year-old has been out since late June due to a left hamstring strain. Before that, Stanton was slashing .246/.302/.492 with 18 home runs and 45 RBI in 69 games this season. The Yankees don't believe Stanton will require a rehab stint and can get back in the lineup early next week. He'll face live pitching over the weekend, so fantasy managers should get a better idea after that. For now, fantasy managers should expect Stanton to return on Monday.

With closer Jason Foley being used earlier in the game, the Detroit Tigers turned to relief pitcher Shelby Miller to pick up his second save of the season against the Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. Miller allowed a walk but also recorded a strikeout to earn his second save of the season. Foley is still the closer in Detroit, but Miller is likely his insurance should anything happen. On the season, Miller owns a 4.66 ERA with four holds in 36 2/3 innings. Other than the occasional hold or save, Miller doesn't offer much to fantasy managers and can remain on the waiver wire.

Despite a nice performance on Thursday, Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin fell to 2-10 on the season. Corbin tossed seven innings, allowing four hits, three runs, three walks and striking out seven, but it would not come close to his opponent, Dylan Cease's no-hitter. Despite the loss, Corbin has been put together back-to-back quality starts and it will be interesting to see if the Nationals are able to move the veteran at the upcoming trade deadline. Regardless of where he is pitching, Corbin is nothing more than a streaming option in the most favorable matchups. Next up for Corbin will be a date on the road against his former team, the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday.

Baltimore Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel had a rough outing on Thursday, coughing up a 6-3 lead in the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins. Kimbrel gave up three runs (one earned) on two walks and two hits. To be fair to him, he probably should've been in a better situation, as Gunnar Henderson bobbled a routine grounder that would've led to the Marlins having two outs instead of one. Still, Kimbrel didn't have his control today, something that has popped up a few times this season. He now has two blown saves in his last three outings, and with the Orioles being a top contender, one has to wonder if they fully trust the veteran in the closer role when he has been streaky this season. There shouldn't be any worries yet for fantasy managers, but a few more bad outings might raise some red flags.

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw went four innings in his season debut against the San Francisco Giants Thursday afternoon, fanning six in a no-decision. Kershaw scattered six hits and two runs and walked two while throwing 72 pitches. The veteran is a welcome addition to a starting rotation currently decimated by injuries. His next start should come next Wednesday against the San Diego Padres and Dylan Cease, who threw a no-hitter today.

New York Mets outfielder Starling Marte (knee), who is on the 10-day injured list with a bone bruise in his right knee, said he hopes to begin a running program this week. Marte also expects to need a minor-league rehab assignment before he's reinstated from the IL, so he is still a ways away from rejoining the big-league lineup. The 35-year-old veteran continues to ramp up his activities after starting baseball activity last week, but fantasy managers shouldn't expect him back until at least early August. Marte has been away from the Mets since late June and will eventually return to a .278/.328/.416 slash line with seven home runs, 30 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 38 runs scored as the team's starting right fielder. In Marte's absence, the Mets have been using a combination of DJ Stewart, Tyrone Taylor and even Jeff McNeil in right field.

There are still no decisions on when New York Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (hamstring) will be able to come off the 10-day injured list, but he was doing more work on the field at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday before the finale to the Subway Series against the visiting New York Mets. "I think he's feeling towards the end of it," manager Aaron Boone said. The skipper didn't rule Stanton out for the series at Fenway Park this weekend against the division-rival Boston Red Sox but also said he's not necessarily expecting that. It doesn't sound like the Yankees expect the 34-year-old right-handed slugger to rejoin them this weekend, but barring a setback, Stanton should be back in the Yankees' lineup sometime next week. When he does return, Aaron Judge will move back to center field, in turn pushing Trent Grisham back to a bench role.

Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi put together a big performance in Wednesday's victory versus the Chicago White Sox. Eovaldi tossed seven innings of two-run ball, allowing four hits, two runs, no walks and striking out 10 on the evening. The veteran was coming off a rough start in his last outing versus the Baltimore Orioles, but returned to form in a big way. With his impressive outing, Eovaldi improves to 7-4 with a 3.31 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 104 strikeouts in 106 innings. Health is always a concern with the veteran, but as long as he is on the mound, managers should continue to roll with him. Next up for the right-hander will be a date with the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday.

Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve collected three hits in Wednesday afternoon's win over the division-rival Oakland Athletics, driving in two runs during the victory. After ripping an RBI single to left field, plating Jon Singleton to give the Astros a 2-1 lead in the second inning, Altuve lined an RBI double to left field to score Singleton once more and give Houston a 5-1 lead in the seventh inning. Wednesday was just another day at the office for the 34-year-old All-Star infielder, who's now slashing a strong .307/.353/.456 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 59 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases covering 410 at-bats this year.

Colorado Rockies outfielder/designated hitter Charlie Blackmon is taking the day off for Wednesday's series finale at Coors Field against the visiting Boston Red Sox. Kris Bryant is serving as the DH and is hitting fifth, while Jake Cave is starting in right field and batting in the two-hole for the Rockies against Red Sox right-hander Nick Pivetta. It's odd to see Blackmon on the bench against a right-handed pitcher, but he'll get the day to rest in a day game following a night contest. The 38-year-old veteran left-handed-hitting outfielder is no longer in the prime of his career and only has seven home runs in 285 at-bats in 2024 while hitting .256 with 34 RBI, five steals and 42 runs scored. Blackmon has actually hit better against lefties this year with a .294 average (20-for-68) but with only one of his seven homers.

New York Mets relief pitcher Jake Diekman recorded his fourth save of the season in Tuesday's victory versus the New York Yankees. With closer Edwin Diaz getting the night off, the Mets turned to Diekman with a one-run lead. Despite allowing a walk, Diekman was able to record the three outs necessary to net himself the save and the Mets their 52nd victory. Managers shouldn't read too much into Diekman getting the save with Diaz getting the night off and outside of deeper leagues that count holds, he can safely remain on the waiver wire.

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Lance Lynn hit a career milestone in his Tuesday start in a 2-1 win over the Pirates. Lynn pitched five scoreless innings, allowing four hits and three walks with two strikeouts. Those strikeouts brought the 37-year-old's career total to exactly 2,000 over his 13-season career. The veteran has gotten improved results after an unusually poor 2023 season and is now 5-4 with a 4.17 ERA, an 8.35 K/9 rate, and a 3.55 BB/9 rate in 20 starts and 101 1/3 IP. He may not provide as much fantasy value as he did earlier in his career, but Lynn still offers a useful floor when he is on. His next matchup will be a decent one against a scuffling Rangers lineup.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) was seen doing some agility drills at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday before the contest against the visiting New York Mets. Rizzo hasn't played for the Yankees since June 16 due to a fractured right forearm, but the 34-year-old veteran left-handed slugger is slowly ramping up his activities after previously being limited to workouts in the weight room. The last hurdle he'll need to clear will be swinging a bat and facing live pitching before he's eventually sent on a minor-league rehab assignment. Rizzo isn't particularly close to a return to the Yankees' lineup but he still has a chance to be back in the big leagues in August. Rookie Ben Rice has benefitted the most with playing time at first base in the strong side of platoon in the Bronx with Rizzo sidelined. Rizzo was hitting just .223 (59-for-264) with eight homers in 70 games before his injury.

Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Daniel Hudson recorded his seventh save in Monday's 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants. Hudson struck out two and walked one in his 19-pitch outing, his fourth straight appearance with a save. He is now (6-1) with a 1.52 ERA, a 0.80 WHIP over his 41 1/3 innings, and 13 holds. Hudson continues as the Dodgers' stopper over Evan Phillips, who has blown his past two save opportunities while watching his ERA climb to 2.73. Fantasy managers should not hesitate to add Hudson if he is still available on waiver wires.

Colorado Rockies outfielder Charlie Blackmon went 2-for-6 with a walk and two-run home run in Monday's victory versus the Boston Red Sox. The veteran continues to be productive at the top of the Rockies order and is hitting .253 on the season to go along with seven homers, 34 RBI and five stolen bases in 281 at-bats. The 38-year-old isn't the All-Star that he once was, but could be a trade candidate for contending teams that looking for a left-handed bat. However, the Rockies have held onto such stars in the past and it remains to be seen if the lifelong Rockie would be willing to part ways, should an opportunity occur. Regardless, Blackmon makes for a good stream when at Coors Field, but can be left on the bench or waiver wire when on the road.