Freese went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and a second run scored in Wednesday's 13-5 loss to the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran continued to produce when he gets a chance, and Freese now boasts a .357/.400/.786 slash line with two homers in only 14 at-bats. The Pirates seem committed to using Colin Moran as their starting first baseman, but Freese will get opportunities against left-handed pitching, giving him some value in deeper league and formats with daily transactions.

Freese walked in his lone plate appearance during Monday's 5-4 win over the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Freese has only started in one of the Pirates' four games to date, but made the most of the opportunity, going 2-for-4 with a home run and two RBI on Sunday in the second half of a twin bill with the Tigers. It's likely that Freese will be a fixture in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but he'll settle for the short side of a platoon at third base with Colin Moran this season.

Freese is expected to occupy the short side of a platoon at third base this season with Colin Moran slated to receive the majority of the starts at the position, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

While a platoon arrangement may be in the works initially, Freese could see his starting opportunities fade as the season wears on if the lefty-hitting Moran proves capable of handling southpaws. Though he received just five plate appearances versus lefties in the majors last season, Moran was adequate against them in 87 at-bats with Triple-A Fresno in the Astros organization, slashing .287/.323/.448. Freese is also an option to fill in at first base when Josh Bell requires a breather, but unless injuries ravage the Pirates' corner infield, it's looking unlikely that Freese will comes close to matching the 503 plate appearances he earned in 2017.

Freese hit his first homer of the Grapefruit League on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

He's 3-for-11 in the early going and will likely serve as a backup at both third base and first. Newcomer Colin Moran has played well at the hot corner thus far, making it likely Freese will have to wait until injury or Pittsburgh faces a tough lefthander before he starts. He hit just .263 with 10 homers and 52 RBI in 426 at-bats last season, but he did post a .368 OBP. Coming off the bench instead of serving as an everyday starter probably suits the 34-year-old better at this stage of his career, anyhow.

Freese seems to be behind Colin Moran in the pecking order at third base to start the spring, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The 34-year-old was a serviceable infielder for the Pirates last season, batting .263 with 10 homers and 52 RBI. That said, Moran offers considerably more upside at the plate and is nine years younger. Freese's roster spot doesn't seem to be in jeopardy, as he offers the ability to back up both third and first base as well as a right-handed complement to Moran's left-handed bat. With this in mind, Freese very well may get sent into a strict platoon role unless he hits out of his mind during Grapefruit League play.

Freese is out of Saturday's lineup against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

He is out of the lineup for the seventh time in 27 contests this month, and is hitting .292/.362/.389 with one home run in 72 at-bats over that stretch. Sean Rodriguez will start at third base and hit sixth.

Freese is not in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Freese will get the day off after starting five of the past six games at the hot corner, hitting .278/.350/.389 with four RBI over that stretch. Sean Rodriguez will start at third base and bat sixth in his place.

Freese is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cardinals.

EDGE Analysis

Freese went 2-for-5 and drove in three of the Pirates' 11 runs during Saturday's victory, but he'll head to the bench ahead of Sunday's series finale against John Gant and the Cardinals. Sean Rodriguez takes over at third base, batting fifth.

Freese is Adam Berry of MLB.com for Tuesday's game against the Brewers, Joe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freese will take a seat on the bench after starting six straight games at the hot corner, slashing an unimpressive .227/.292/.272 with 11 strikeouts over that stretch. In his place, Max Moroff will draw the start at third base, batting eighth.

Freese is not in the lineup Monday against the Brewers.

EDGE Analysis

Freese has been locked in at the plate to start September -- hitting .379/.438/.517 in eight games -- but he'll head to the bench for a breather after starting six of the last seven contests. In his place, Sean Rodriguez will take over at the hot corner, batting sixth.