Freese is out of the lineup Thursday against the Nationals.

EDGE Analysis

Freese has started four of the last five games at third base, but has collected just one hit over that stretch, bringing his batting average down to .271. Josh Harrison will get the nod at the hot corner in his stead, while Alen Hanson mans the keystone.

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

EDGE Analysis

Though he was able to start the Pirates' past two games after being activated from the disabled list Friday, Freese will get the day off ahead of Sunday's afternoon tilt against Robbie Ray the Diamondbacks. Josh Harrison will draw the start at third base.

Freese went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts in his return from the disabled list Friday.

EDGE Analysis

He played third base and was lifted in the sixth inning of a blowout loss. Freese, who missed the last three weeks with a hamstring injury, batted fifth behind Gregory Polanco with lefty Patrick Corbin on the mound. The infielder is 4-for-7 with two doubles against Saturday starter Taijuan Walker.

Freese (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day DL on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The Pirates' lineup for Friday is still pending, but Freese will presumably reclaim his role as the starter at third base Friday, pushing Josh Harrison back to second base. Freese hit .321/.418/.536 with three homers and more walks (10) than strikeouts (8) in 18 games before suffering the hamstring injury.

Freese (hamstring) has participated in full baseball activities since Monday and is nearing a return, DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Manager Clint Hurdle said that while Freese will not need a rehab assignment, the infielder won't be activated until he can play a complete game. "We've encouraged him to come back when he can play, play both sides of the ball, get in the box and fight and hit," Hurdle said. "I don't anticipate bringing him back in a bench role."

Manager Clint Hurdle announced Tuesday that Freese (hamstring) will not require a rehab assignment prior to rejoining the Pirates, Stephen J. Nesbitt of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freese ran the bases and took batting practice Tuesday and will do some additional running Wednesday in Los Angeles. Though an exact return date has yet to be announced, it appears that the veteran third baseman will be back in action sooner than later.

Freese (hamstring) isn't ready to return from the disabled list, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

"He's playing catch, he's hitting and he is jogging to date," head trainer Todd Tomczyk said. The trainer added that his rehab is behind that of Adam Frazier's (hamstring) and Frazier isn't expected back for at least a couple days.

Freese (hamstring) was placed on the 10-day disabled list Saturday, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freese has missed the last three games with the injury and it doesn't appear to be improving quick enough for the team's liking. The veteran third baseman will take some time to get back to full health, meaning Josh Harrison will likely continue seeing time at the hot corner while the Pirates shuffle options at second base. Outfielder Danny Ortiz was called up in a corresponding move to provide bench additional depth.

Freese (hamstring) is not in Friday's lineup against the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

It was reported that Freese would be evaluated before Friday's game to assess the extent of his injury, so he likely hasn't progressed enough to get back into action. The 34-year-old is off to a great start this season with a .321 average and 10 RBI, but could be bound for a trip to the disabled list if doesn't improve soon. Josh Harrison will continue to gets starts at the hot corner in the meantime.

The Pirates are expected to reassess Freese (hamstring) before Friday's game against Florida, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Freese initially hurt his hamstring Monday when he missed the first base bag while running down the line. Given that he hasn't played since then, look for him to either return Friday (at least off the bench) or move to the 10-Day DL. Freese is slashing .321/.418/.536 in 67 plate appearances. At some point he'll likely regress to his career norms, but in the meantime he's returning value across the board. Fellow third baseman Jung-Ho Kang (who has an appeal hearing May 25 for a work visa) remains off the radar until June, at the earliest.