

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.


Atlanta Braves switch-hitting second baseman Ozzie Albies (wrist) isn't feeling great while swinging from the left side right now, according to manager Brian Snitker. However, Albies is doing well swinging from the right side as he recovers from a fractured left wrist. It remains to be seen if the Braves will be comfortable bringing the 27-year-old back to the big-league roster in the middle of September as they try to hang onto the final wild-card spot in the National League. Albies last played for the Braves on July 21 and could struggle at the plate when he returns to the majors, especially if he's unavailable to hit from the left side. Utility man Whit Merrifield (foot) has seen more action at the keystone in Atlanta of late with Albies still out, but he fouled a ball off his foot on Friday and could miss some time. Luke Williams figures to be the next man up.


Baltimore Orioles running back Ramon Urias (ankle) is progressing with his sprained right ankle but has yet to resume baseball activities. However, Urias is confident that he can play before the regular season ends at the end of September. The 30-year-old veteran infielder suffered a sprained ankle on Aug. 31 and landed on the 10-day injured list. With Jordan Westburg (hand) still also on the IL, the Orioles have been forced to mix and match at the hot corner with rookie Coby Mayo, Emmanuel Rivera and Nick Maton. Mayo has the most upside of the trio as one of the team's top prospects, but he's struggled in his first 23 big-league at-bats with just two hits, three runs scored, three walks and 13 strikeouts in nine games played entering Friday. Depending on when Westburg returns, Urias could become the top option at the hot corner if he returns before the postseason.


Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (ankle) was forced from Friday night's contest early at Dodger Stadium in the first inning against the visiting Cleveland Guardians when he was hit by a pitch on his left ankle. Hernandez appeared to be in a lot of pain and limped to first base before being replaced by pinch-runner Chris Taylor, who also replaced Hernandez in left field. The Dodgers announced that Hernandez left with a left-foot contusion, which implies that it's not a serious injury, although he's likely to undergo further testing. For now, fantasy managers should consider the 31-year-old to be day-to-day, but check back for further updates. Hernandez entered Friday's game with 28 homers, 87 RBI, 10 steals and a .266/.330/.488 slash line with an .818 OPS, so the Dodgers can ill-afford to lose him for any stretch of time as the playoffs near.


St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (shoulder) left Friday's game early with left-shoulder soreness in an eventual 6-1 loss at Busch Stadium to the visiting Seattle Mariners. Arenado went 1-for-3 with a strikeout in the contest before being replaced by pinch-hitter Matt Carpenter in the ninth inning. Until we know more on the severity of Arenado's shoulder injury, fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day and check back to see if he's able to play on Saturday. However, it would be wise to expect the 33-year-old to miss at least one game. If Arenado requires a stint on the injured list, there's a chance we may not see him for the rest of the 2024 season, while Jose Fermin would be the favorite to pick up regular starts at third. Arenado, an eight-time All-Star, has had a down year in his fourth season in St. Louis with just 15 home runs and 64 RBI in 134 games.
