Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve homered Saturday in an 11-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. The homer was one of three hits for the veteran. During the season Altuve has hit an even .300 with 19 home runs, 59 RBI, 20 stolen bases, and 85 runs scored. He continues to be the catalyst in an excellent Houston lineup. Altuve is hitting .346 in his last seven games atop the lineup. He will look to continue his hot hitting in the series finale tomorrow against Arizona.

Boston Red Sox right-handed closer Kenley Jansen (lat) said after Friday night's 3-1 win over the Chicago White Sox at Fenway Park that he's dealing with a lat issue. Jansen last pitched on Wednesday, when he allowed four earned runs on one hit while walking three and striking out one in one-third of an inning versus the New York Mets. The veteran closer was apparently unavailable on Friday night, which is why Josh Winckowski entered with a two-run lead in the ninth to pitch a clean inning to earn the first save of his career. The 36-year-old Jansen said he won't pitch again until he's past the lat issue, but it's anyone's guess when that might be, and he could very well require a trip to the injured list. It's unclear how Boston might approach the ninth inning if Jansen misses extended time, but Winckowski and Chris Martin could be the top options for fantasy managers still scrounging for saves.

St. Louis Cardinals veteran right-hander Lance Lynn (knee) will come off the 15-day injured list to start for the Cardinals next Wednesday at Busch Stadium against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. Lynn will return to the big leagues for the final couple weeks of the 2024 regular season and will be in play as a deep-league streamer with limited upside for several start to finish out September. He was able to get up to 80 pitches in a minor-league rehab start last Sunday in which he allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings of work. Lynn should be limited from a pitch-count perspective, but he just doesn't offer much upside at all at this point of his career and hasn't pitched for St. Louis since the end of July. On the flip side, Lynn has been great in his two starts against Cincy in 2024, allowing only three runs (one earned) on seven hits while walking four and striking out 11 in 12 innings pitched.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) is back as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for the Bucs on Friday against the Washington Nationals and rookie left-hander DJ Herz at PNC Park. McCutchen missed the last two games dur go lingering soreness in his knee, which has already landed him on the injured list this year, but he's feeling better now and is ready to go for the weekend. The 37-year-old former MVP is obviously no longer the player he was in his prime when he was an All-Star for five straight seasons from 2011-15 with the Pirates, but he can still provide serviceable numbers in deeper fantasy leagues when he's healthy. Since Aug. 2, he's hitting .333 (15-for-45) with five home runs, two doubles and 16 RBI in 13 games played. McCutchen has never faced Herz in his career.

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Aroldis Chapman was called upon to record the final two outs of Thursday's game against the Washington Nationals. The Pirates were leading by five runs, but got into some trouble during the final frame. They brought in Chapman to put out the fire, which he did with ease. The southpaw recorded his sixth save of the season on Thursday. He appears to be the favorite to lock down saves in Pittsburgh with David Bednar being removed from that role. Fantasy managers looking for help with saves should check the waiver wire to see if Chapman is available.

Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) is back at first base and batting third on Thursday in the series opener against the division-rival Miami Marlins and right-hander Adam Oller at LoanDepot Park. Harper was hit by a pitch on his left elbow in the series finale in his first bat on Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and was forced from the game, but X-rays came back negative and Harper won't miss any time at all. The 31-year-old All-Star and former two-time MVP has been excellent in 2024 with 26 home runs, 76 RBI and a .282/.372/.521 slash line for fantasy managers in 123 games. The former first overall pick in 2010 has been even better in 13 games since Aug. 22, batting .362 (17-for-47) with seven doubles, although he hasn't homered and has drove in only three runs in that span. Either way, keep him in your starting lineups.

The New York Mets reinstated designated hitter J.D. Martinez from the paternity list on Thursday and optioned outfielder DJ Stewart in a corresponding move. The Mets also claimed outfielder Jose Azocar off waivers from the San Diego Padres and assigned him to Triple-A Syracuse while moving pitcher Sean Reid-Foley (shoulder) to the 60-day injured list. The Mets don't play on Thursday, so Martinez won't be able to return to the starting lineup until Friday's series opener at Citi Field against the visiting Cincinnati Reds. The 37-year-old veteran was hitless in his last two games before going on paternity leave, but he's gone 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers, a double and four RBI in his previous seven games dating back to Aug. 25, so the Mets will be hoping he can pick up where he left off as the team continues their push for the final wild-card spot in the National League.

Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton said that outfielder/designated hitter Andrew McCutchen (knee) was scratched from the lineup on Wednesday against the division-rival Chicago Cubs because his knee was a "little cranky" when he showed up to the field. "He's 37 years old, and some days he wakes up and feels better than he does. He's still available," Shelton said. The Pirates probably could have used McCutchen on Wednesday, as they were no hit by lefty starter Shota Imanaga and two relievers in an 12-0 blowout loss. McCutchen recently returned from a stint on the injured list due to inflammation in the same knee, so this isn't a great sign. In four games since his return, he's gone 4-for-15 with two homers and six RBI. With McCutchen out on Wednesday, Oneil Cruz was the DH and Michael Taylor got the start in center field. The Pirates aren't going to rush the aging veteran back into the lineup at this point.

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) said he felt better after receiving treatment on Wednesday for his left elbow after leaving the series finale against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre early when he was hit by a pitch. Harper said he's good, and manager Rob Thomson described the decision to pull Harper early as "more precautionary" with his elbow stiffening up. He didn't have an official at-bat in the 4-2 win and was replaced by pinch-hitter Edmundo Sosa before his second at-bat. The 31-year-old has also dealt with nagging right elbow and wrist injuries of late, so it would be a surprise to see Harper in the lineup on Thursday for the series opener in Miami against the division-rival Marlins. But thankfully for fantasy managers and the Phils, Harper appears to be day-to-day and should return to action at some point this weekend.

Philadelphia Phillies All-Star first baseman Bryce Harper (elbow) left Wednesday's contest early against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre with a left-elbow contusion after he was hit by a pitch, according to the team. Harper will be evaluated further. Harper was hit by a pitch in the first inning of the series finale and initially stayed in before being replaced by a pinch-hitter before his second at-bat. Fantasy managers will want to check back for more news on the 31-year-old's condition soon. In addition to Harper's left elbow, he told MLB.com last week that he's been playing with a sore wrist and sore right elbow, so he's clearly not 100% and now has another injury to deal with. Even if tests on Harper's left elbow come back clean, fantasy managers shouldn't be surprised if he's held out for Thursday's series in Miami against the division-rival Marlins.

Washington Nationals starting pitcher Patrick Corbin took advantage of a favorable matchup in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Marlins. Corbin pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits and three walks with eight strikeouts. The 35-year-old veteran has put together a modest three-game win streak in which he has allowed three total runs in 17 2/3 IP with 22 strikeouts. However, he still owns a poor 5-12 record on the season with a 5.41 ERA, a 1.52 WHIP, and a 7.12 K/9 rate in 28 starts and 153 IP. His next start will be another favorable one at the Pirates, but fantasy managers may want to avoid starting him given his low floor.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo is out of the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Texas Rangers. The veteran slugger will get the night off for the first time since coming off the injured list. This isn't shocking as the Yankees don't want to push Rizzo too hard considering he's coming back from a major injury. DJ LeMahieu will cover first base and bat ninth versus left-hander Andrew Heaney. LeMahieu has been awful with the bat and is hitting only .157 against left-handed pitching, so fantasy managers can keep him out of their lineups on Tuesday.

St. Louis Cardinals veteran right-hander Lance Lynn (knee) had a tough time in his latest minor-league rehab start with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, giving up five earned runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out eight in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Lynn threw 54 of his 80 pitches for strikes and should be able to return to St. Louis' starting rotation soon after being out since late July with inflammation in his right knee. However, there's also a chance that Lynn will be required to make one more rehab start after surrendering five runs on Sunday. When the 37-year-old does return to the big-league rotation, he'll be a low-upside arm for fantasy managers in deeper leagues to close out the season. The former first-rounder in 2008 out of Mississippi has a weak 20.8% strikeout rate and an ERA above 4.00 in 21 starts covering 106 1/3 innings in 2024.

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had a great offensive performance in Monday's 11-6 win over the division-rival Diamondbacks. Freeman went 2-for-3 with a pair of two-run home runs, five RBI, and a walk. The 34-year-old took Eduardo Rodriguez deep in the third inning, sneaking the ball just over the left-field fence. His eighth-inning blast off Slade Cecconi was more definitive, landing 435 feet over the left-center wall. Freeman, who has been a top fantasy pick for some time now, hasn't been quite as good this season by his standards. However, he has produced plenty of fantasy value, slashing .288/.383/.498 with 21 HR, 74 runs scored, 83 RBI, and six stolen bases in 549 plate appearances.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) will require a walking boot and also probably needs more tests on his injured left big toe, according to manager Dave Roberts. Kershaw is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe and was placed on the 15-day injured list on Saturday, although he was able to play catch before Sunday's contest at Chase Field against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks. The 36-year-old southpaw is eligible to come off the IL on Sept. 15, but there's currently no timetable for his return, and fantasy managers should probably expect his absence to extend beyond that date if he needs a walking boot. With time running out in the final month of the 2024 regular season, the Dodgers will just be hoping that Kershaw might be able to help them for what they are expecting to be a deep playoff run in October.

The New York Mets placed designated hitter J.D. Martinez on the paternity list on Monday and recalled outfielder DJ Stewart from Triple-A Syracuse in a corresponding move. Martinez is likely to miss the entire series this week at Citi Field against the visiting Boston Red Sox as Martinez welcomes a new addition to his family. Outfielder Jesse Winker will serve as the DH on Monday and bat cleanup, while Stewart mans left field and hits in the eight-hole against Red Sox right-hander Brayan Bello. Martinez has provided moderate power for fantasy managers this year and has hit .308 (8-for-26) with two homers, a double and four RBI for the Mets in his last seven games dating back to Aug. 25. The 30-year-old Stewart should get some more starts this week if the team is facing right-handed pitching. He's hit just .172 (26-for-151) in 2024 with five homers and 19 RBI.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen is absent from the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Cleveland Guardians. This appears to be a routine rest day for the 37-year-old veteran slugger. McCutchen is 3-for-8 with four RBI since returning from the injured list a few days ago. It appears some time off might've helped McCutchen get back on track with his bat. On Sunday, Oneil Cruz will serve as the designated hitter while Bryan De La Cruz plays right field versus right-hander Alex Cobb. Fantasy managers who have McCutchen rostered should adjust their lineups.

New York Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo (forearm) was reinstated from the 60-day IL on Sunday morning and will start at first base as the Yankees conclude a series against the St. Louis Cardinals. Rizzo has been sidelined since mid-June with a right forearm fracture. In a corresponding move, the Yankees optioned first baseman/catcher Ben Rice on Saturday evening. Before the injury, Rizzo was hitting a mere .223/.289/.341 line with eight home runs. Despite his struggles, fantasy managers looking to improve their corner infield spot should look to add the former World Series champion this weekend, given his everyday role in the Yankees offense. This afternoon, Rizzo could be a sneaky play in DFS as he will bat in the seven-hole against St. Louis right-hander Miles Mikolas, who has a hefty 5.23 ERA.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw was placed on the 15-day IL due to a bone spur in his toe. The lefty was removed in the second inning of his start on Friday after giving up a home run to Corbin Carroll on a 67 MPH curveball, well below his average velocity for his curve. "There's so much swelling, he can barely move around with it," manager Dave Roberts said of the injury. Kershaw has spent most of the 2024 season recovering from a shoulder injury that kept him out of game action until late July. There's no estimate for when Kershaw could potentially return to the Dodgers' rotation, but it likely wouldn't be until a playoff run. Fantasy managers should be fine to cut Kershaw from their roster and look elsewhere for starting pitching help. A great option from the Dodgers would be Gavin Stone, who has posted a 3.25 ERA and a 9.76 K/9 over his last five starts.

Los Angeles Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw (toe) is dealing with a bone spur in his left big toe that he's been dealing with, according to manager Dave Roberts, and the skipper is expecting a possible injured-list move. "I'd be shocked if we don't make an IL move or two," Roberts said. Kershaw was removed from his start on Friday against the division-rival Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field after one-plus inning due to the toe injury and will now miss at least the next couple of weeks. If the Dodgers decide to take it slow with the 36-year-old three-time Cy Young winner, we may not see him again until the postseason. The future Hall of Famer got a late start to his 2024 season due to a left-shoulder injury and has only made seven starts this year, sporting a career-low 18.1% strikeout rate with a 4.50 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in 30 innings.