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.

Chicago Cubs catcher Christian Bethancourt has been recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Friday. The Cubs were in need of another catcher with Tomas Nido (knee) heading to the injured list. Bethancourt gives the Cubs depth behind the plate but he isn't much of an upgrade with the bat. He was hitting well below .200 before being let go by the Miami Marlins in early July. The Cubs have been looking for reliable production from the catcher spot all season long. However, it's unlikely that Bethancourt is the answer to their problems. Fantasy managers can continue to ignore him with Miguel Amaya likely getting most of the time behind the plate.

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.

The Seattle Mariners are acquiring right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia from the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday, according to sources. The main return for the Blue Jays is outfield prospect Jonathan Clase. Garcia was one of the best relievers available at this year's trade deadline. The M's make another significant move after acquiring outfielder Randy Arozarena from the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night. While Garcia probably won't come in and take over the closer role from Andres Munoz in Seattle, the 33-year-old veteran remains highly valuable in fantasy leagues that count holds in 2024. The Dominican hurler went 3-0 in Toronto this year with a strong 2.70 ERA (2.64 FIP), a 0.80 WHIP, five saves, 42 strikeouts and only eight walks in 30 innings out of the bullpen. Garcia should have even more opportunities for holds for the contending M's.

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.

Oakland Athletics right-hander Luis Medina (elbow) will have season-ending Tommy John surgery, and left-hander Alex Wood (shoulder) will have a season-ending shoulder procedure. Medina was scheduled to get a second opinion on his sprained right elbow after the All-Star break, which has turned out to be a worst-case scenario for the hurler. The 25-year-old righty compiled a 2-4 record and a 5.18 ERA over eight starts for the A's this year before his season ended, and he'll miss a big chunk of 2025 as well. Wood hasn't been seen on the mound since May 12 due to left rotator cuff tendinitis, having been shut down from throwing since June. The 33-year-old southpaw went 1-3 with a 5.28 ERA covering nine starts in Oakland in 2024, and his recovery timeline will likely dictate the type of interest he'll draw in free agency this offseason.

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.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) intends to rest and rehab his injured back rather than undergo surgery that would have been season-ending, according to a source. However, offseason surgery is a strong possibility. Yelich was placed on the 10-day injured list with more lower-back issues on Wednesday and is out for the foreseeable future, considering this is the second time he's been on the IL this year due to back issues. The three-time All-Star will rest his back for now, but it doesn't guarantee that he won't eventually elect for surgery before the end of the 2024 season. The 32-year-old needs to be stashed in an IL spot in all fantasy leagues for the time being as long as he still plans on returning this year. Until he's able to return, Blake Perkins and Gary Sanchez could see more playing time with Yelich out of action.

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.

The San Francisco Giants placed first baseman/designated hitter Wilmer Flores (knee) back on the 10-day injured list on Thursday with right-knee tendonitis and recalled infielder David Villar from Triple-A Sacramento in a corresponding move. Flores will go back on the IL after returning two weeks ago from the same ailment. The 32-year-old veteran right-handed bat is having a tough season, injuries aside, and is batting .206 (44-for-214) with only four home runs, 26 RBI and 19 runs scored in 71 games played in his 12th year in the big leagues. Villar is starting at first base and batting sixth for the Giants on Thursday against the division-rival Los Angeles Dodgers and left-hander Clayton Kershaw, but he's merely going to be the backup at first base for regular LaMonte Wade Jr. with Flores back on the shelf.

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.

The Los Angeles Dodgers put infielder Miguel Rojas (forearm) on the 10-day injured list ahead of Wednesday's game against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. Rojas was removed from the game on Sunday night against the visiting Boston Red Sox with right forearm tightness and missed the last two games. The 35-year-old veteran infielder sports a great glove but is having one of his better seasons offensively in 2024, hitting .271 with three home runs, 21 RBI, 22 runs scored, and five stolen bases through 192 at-bats for the Dodgers. With Mookie Betts (hand) on the injured list, LA is down to struggling veterans Kike Hernandez, Chris Taylor, and the recently signed Nick Ahmed at short in the interim.

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy says that starting pitcher Jacob deGrom (elbow) is "getting close" to facing hitters. deGrom threw another bullpen session of around 40 pitches prior to Tuesday's game against the Chicago White Sox, and he will throw another on Friday while the team is on the road in Toronto for a series with the Blue Jays. He'll have about three more live batting practice sessions to follow before going out on a minor-league rehab assignment shortly after Tuesday's trade deadline. Entering the final stages of his recovery from last summer's Tommy John surgery, deGrom has an eye on returning sometime in August. It remains to be seen how the 36-year-old former National League Cy Young Award winner's velocity will look in the aftermath of his second UCL procedure, but he submitted a 2.67 ERA, 0.76 WHIP, and 45:4 K:BB across 30 1/3 innings last season, and it's certainly time to make sure he isn't lingering on any fantasy waiver wires.

Los Angeles Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon is not in the team's starting lineup for Wednesday's series finale on the road in Seattle against the division-rival Mariners. With Rendon retreating to the bench for this one, Luis Rengifo will start at the hot corner and will bat second for the Halos versus Mariners right-hander Luis Castillo. It's an odd day for Rendon to get a day off, as he's hitting .417 with a 1.588 OPS, two home runs and three RBI in 12 career at-bats against Castillo. Rengifo, on the other hand, has hit .294 with a 1.118 OPS, three home runs and four RBI in 17 career at-bats against Castillo. Willie Calhoun is the designated hitter and will bat cleanup. In 12 games since returning from the injured list on July 8, the disappointing Rendon has gone 8-for-45 (.178) with two doubles, three RBI, 11 strikeouts and one steal in 50 plate appearances.

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.

Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Christian Yelich (back) will see a spine specialist on Thursday to discuss his next steps, including the possibility of season-ending back surgery. Yelich was put on the 10-day injured list on Wednesday for the second time this year due to lower-back inflammation, but the 32-year-old veteran has had back issues beyond just this season. Until we know for sure that Yelich won't play again in 2024, fantasy managers will need to keep him stashed. Losing him for the rest of the year would be a huge blow to the Brew Crew, as he is hitting .315/.406/.504 with a .909 OPS, 11 homers, 42 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 270 at-bats. Now that Yelich is out for the foreseeable future and potentially the rest of the year, catcher Gary Sanchez (calf), who returned from the IL on Wednesday, figures to see most of the at-bats as the designated hitter moving forward.