Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — The Los Angeles Dodgers have faced numerous injuries this season, but the team is hopeful that a significant setback has been avoided with superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman. On Thursday, during the Dodgers’ 7-2 victory over the San Diego Padres — a game that secured the NL West title — Freeman exited in the seventh inning after suffering an apparent ankle injury.
Freeman, seen in the clubhouse with a walking boot and crutches, was taken for X-rays, which fortunately came back negative. This result offers optimism that he will be ready when the Dodgers open their National League Division Series next Saturday. Freeman himself acknowledged the injury but remained hopeful. In original reporting by MLB.com’s Juan Toribio, Freddie is quoted as saying, “It’s swollen, but they’re pretty optimistic that I should be able to go by Saturday in the playoffs. That’s what I’m banking on. I’ve never rolled an ankle, so I don’t know. It’s pretty large right now” (Toribio, MLB.com).
The injury occurred during a routine play in which Freeman sprinted down the first-base line, attempting to beat a wide throw from Padres second baseman Jake Cronenworth. After stepping on the bag, Freeman tried to stop his momentum but rolled his right ankle. The incident left Mookie Betts, standing on second base, in disbelief as the Dodger Stadium crowd anxiously watched Freeman go down.
Manager Dave Roberts and a trainer immediately attended to Freeman, who was able to walk off the field under his own power, though with visible discomfort. Kiké Hernández replaced Freeman at first base for the remainder of the game. Despite the scare, Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman echoed a sense of optimism, stating, “I’m not too worried about it… We’ll make sure that he’s rested up and ready to go next Saturday”
Given the circumstances, Freeman will not be traveling with the team for their final series of the regular season in Colorado. Instead, he’ll remain in Los Angeles to receive additional treatment on his ankle.
Freeman’s exit was undoubtedly concerning for Dodgers fans, but with the initial tests showing no severe damage, the team is optimistic that their star first baseman will be ready for the postseason. As Freeman put it, “Fortunate enough that we have some time off now to heal this thing. I’m optimistic. I’ve never hurt an ankle, so I can’t really give you guys an answer, but I’ll do everything I can”
Despite the injury, the Dodgers can breathe a little easier knowing that the worst-case scenario has likely been avoided, giving them a strong chance to have Freeman back in the lineup when the stakes are at their highest.
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