Freese has started only five of the past 11 games, going 5-for-24 with no extra-base hits.

EDGE Analysis

The infielder slashed .356/.392/.611 with five homers and 23 RBI in his previous 97 plate appearances. Despite his recent woes, Freese could be moved to a contender before the end of August. He's still hitting .288 with an .082 OPS, but it would't be surprising to see those numbers fall off before season's end. The 35-year-old batted .262 with a .734 OPS over five years prior to 2018.

Freese collected a pair of hits, including a double, in three at-bats against the Giants on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

Since July 26, Freese is batting . 375 with four homers and 16 RBI in 40 at-bats. While he doesn't play every day, he's been more than effective in 2018, slashing .293/.348/.478 in 278 plate appearances.

Freese (forearm) is back in the lineup Monday against the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Freese sat out Sunday's contest with a forearm contusion, but the issue was evidently not a serious one as he's back in the lineup just one day later. He'll bat cleanup and play third base.

Pirates skipper Clint Hurdle said Freese was held out of the lineup in Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Cardinals due to a right forearm contusion, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The injury snapped a streak of five straight starts for Freese, who had taken over as the club's everyday first baseman in place of the injured Josh Bell (oblique). Freese's health situation doesn't seem nearly as serious as Bell's, but if the 35-year-old is forced to miss additional games, Jose Osuna would be the primary beneficiary.

Freese is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Freese has acted as the Pirates' primary first baseman since Josh Bell (oblique) was placed on the 10-day disabled list July 28, but manager Clint Hurdle will go with Jose Osuna at the position in the series finale. Expect Freese to re-enter the lineup Monday, when the Pirates kick off a three-game set in Colorado.

Freese will start at first base and bat fifth Sunday against the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

It's the sixth start in seven games for Freese, whose pathway to playing time opened a little more Saturday when Josh Bell (oblique) was placed on the 10-day disabled list. Jose Osuna should pick up some starts at first base while Bell is sidelined, but Freese's hot bat and ability to play both corner-infield spots should help his case for maintaining a full-time role. Freese is slashing .364/.462/.727 over his first nine appearances out of the All-Star break.

Freese will serve as the Pirates' designated hitter and will bat sixth Wednesday against the Indians.

EDGE Analysis

Having the DH available in Cleveland has allowed Pirates manager Clint Hurdle to find room in the lineup for Freese in all three games. The veteran has rewarded the Pirates with a .278/.335/.420 batting line for the season, but he'll be forced to settle for short-side platoon duty at third base once the club resumes playing in National League parks.

Freese will start at first base and bat fifth Wednesday against the Dodgers.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates are opposing a lefty pitcher for the fifth time in six games, with Freese earning a spot in the lineup on each of those occasions. Considering that the Pirates' top options at the corner-infield spots -- Josh Bell and Colin Moran -- are both left-handed hitters, Freese looks like a good bet to be a fixture in the starting nine at first or third base anytime a southpaw is on the mound. Freese isn't performing nearly as well in those matchups as his workload would suggest, however. He's managed a lowly .238/.306/.270 batting line across 72 plate appearances.

Freese will start at first base and bat third Thursday against the Reds.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates are resting four regulars for the matinee affair Thursday, allowing Freese to not only enter the starting nine, but earn a prominent spot in the lineup. He could make a decent punt-play option for the Thursday DFS slate while opposing Luis Castillo, who has shown spotty command in 2018 following a promising rookie campaign.

Freese will start at third base and bat seventh Wednesday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Freese is hitless in eight career at-bats against starter Stephen Strasburg, along with three walks. The veteran will be making just his eighth start of 2018. He's done well in a reduced role, compiling an .829 OPS in 45 plate appearances.