Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe (toe) remains out of the team's starting lineup on Friday for the series opener against the Washington Nationals. Lowe fractured his right pinkie toe last Saturday and has not played since. The Rays were initially hoping that he could avoid a trip to the injured list, but if Lowe cannot return to the field this weekend against the Nationals, he could be put on the shelf through the All-Star break in mid-July. The speedy Jose Caballero will work at second base again on Friday for the Rays. The 29-year-old Lowe continues to deal with injuries and also hasn't been producing for fantasy managers at the plate this year when he's been on the field. He's currently slashing just .217/.316/.417 with five home runs, 22 RBI and 17 runs scored in 115 at-bats.

The Philadelphia Phillies reinstated infielder Kody Clemens (back) from the 10-day injured list and also recalled outfielder Johan Rojas from Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday with both first baseman Bryce Harper (hamstring) and outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (groin) going on the 10-day IL. Clemens will make the start at first base and bat sixth, while Rojas is in center field and hitting ninth for the Phillies on Friday versus the visiting Miami Marlins and right-hander Kyle Tyler, who is making just his second major-league start. Clemens, who is returning from a bout with back spasms, should start regularly for the Phils at first against right-handed pitchers for however long Harper is out, driving up his value in NL-only leagues. Rojas should also see more action with Schwarber on the IL after going 13-for-34 with Lehigh Valley after his demotion.

Miami Marlins outfielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday against the hosting Philadelphia Phillies with left-hander Cristopher Sanchez on the mound. The Marlins are also resting outfielders Jesus Sanchez and Nick Gordon and catcher Nick Fortes in this one. Vidal Brujan is starting in center field and batting eighth, Dane Myers is in right field and is hitting cleanup, Otto Lopez is at second base and batting fifth, and Ali Sanchez is doing the catching out of the nine-hole for the Fish as they look for a second straight win to open up the series in Philly. Chisholm took a pitch off his hand in Thursday's victory but ended up staying in the game. The 26-year-old's mix of power and speed make him a must-start in all fantasy formats when he's active. Chisholm is currently slashing .260/.327/.429 with 10 homers, 37 RBI and 14 steals in 296 at-bats.

Boston Red Sox infielder Enmanuel Valdez will retreat to the bench for Friday's series opener against the visiting San Diego Padres. David Hamilton will get the nod at second base and will bat second, while Ceddanne Rafaela will man the 6 for Boston and bat in the nine-hole versus Padres right-hander Randy Vasquez. Valdez, 25, has already tied his career-high with six home runs on the year while adding 25 RBI in 162 plate appearances, but he's hitting just .212 (31-for-146) and is mainly just a middle-infield depth option in AL-only leagues for now. Hamilton has been much more productive up the middle for Boston in 2024, slashing .282/.333/.449 with five long balls, 15 RBI, 21 stolen bases and 28 runs scored in 156 at-bats. His speed has made him an asset in mixed fantasy leagues in just his second big-league season.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitching prospect Rhett Lowder has had a tough time adjusting to Double-A ball but took a step in the right direction on Thursday evening. The former seventh overall pick in last year's draft tossed five innings of two-run ball with five punchouts, one walk, and six hits. In his last start, he allowed six earned runs and eight hits. Lowder opened the season with High-A and quickly proved he was ready for Double-A. Unfortunately, the top pitching prospect has hit a bit of a roadblock, but Thursday's start can serve as a turning point. The right-hander is considered MLB.com's 22nd-best prospect and number-five overall right-handed pitcher. Lowder could still push for a late-season promotion but will have to turn in more starts like this to have a better chance.