Albies not in starting lineup on Thursday

It’s possible the 25-year-old is able to return for the end of the 2027 season, but the 2028 season seems like a more likely target for his return.

There are plenty of ifs here, especially given that there still appears to be a real chance there will be a salary cap. Passan also mentions that last time the MLB went into a lockout, there was a flurry of activity before the CBA expired. “A deal of that magnitude would presumably be for at least a decade -- the sort of commitment teams might balk at because of his age. But someone is going to pay an exorbitant amount for his services,” Passan writes.

He calls it the “trickiest decision in the free agent class.” Bichette has hit .298/.346/.464 with 11 homers in 85 games since June even if his seasonal stats look a little rough. Passan ultimately guesses he will opt out, but it sounds like staying is still on the table for Bichette.

Freeman missed yesterday’s game with right knee discomfort and was limited to DH on Tuesday. The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya writes that there’s no guarantee he’s back in the lineup on Friday. The best read of this is that he’s day-to-day, but it doesn’t sound like there’s any guarantee he’ll be ready to play this weekend.

We’ve narrowed it down to just one half of his body that doesn’t feel right, perhaps further examination will help. Thomas had been slated to start today against RHP Nick Martinez.

Volpe could conceivably get a trial at second base while Jazz Chisholm Jr. is out — he was playing the position at Triple-A — but it’s more likely his playing time remains up-and-down, as it was when he was up before George Lombard Jr. was handed the keys at shortstop.

Based on Aaron Boone’s comments yesterday, it sounds like this may just be a minimum stint on the IL after he is shut down from baseball activities for 7-10 days. There doesn’t appear to be much danger of Chisholm missing the playoffs, but obviously given where we are in the regular season, teams in need of immediate stats can move on.

He’ll fill in on the bench while Nasim Nuñez is on the bereavement list.

He’ll miss an undetermined amount of time, but most bereavement list stays are fairly short. Nuñez leads the league with 46 stolen bases this year despite hitting .210/.290/.244.

deGrom blocked the move with his no-trade clause, but it is clear that the Braves are open to moving Strider, who is owed $22 million in each of the next two seasons. He’s been out indefinitely with right elbow inflammation, with the most recent news being that he may return as a reliever this year. The 27-year-old former ace would seem to be an available high-upside swing in the upcoming hot stove trade market.