Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman Considered Day-to-Day Following Ankle Flare-Up, Status Unknown For Game 3
Not only did the Los Angeles Dodgers lose Game 2 of the NLDS to the San Diego Padres on Sunday, but they also lost All-Star first baseman Freddie Freeman, who exited the contest after aggravating his right ankle sprain.
Freeman, who injured his ankle during the club’s NL West Division-clinching game against the Padres on September 26th, ended up playing in Game 1 after being a major question mark prior to first pitch. But he couldn’t push through any longer in the second game of the best-of-five series.
The 35-year-old completed two at-bats – failing to reach base in both – before departing to begin the top of the sixth inning, with the team revealing he left with right ankle discomfort. Kiké Hernández entered the game to play third base, shifting Max Muncy to first.
San Diego went on to secure a 10-2 victory in Game 2, evening up the series at one win apiece as it heads to Petco Park for the next two contests. With the heavyweight tilt resuming Tuesday, it’s unclear if Freeman will be ready to return for Game 3.
Los Angeles is currently describing its starting first baseman as day-to-day, with his status likely to be updated after receiving treatment on his ankle.
“I got word in the middle of the game that his ankle was really bothering him,” manager Dave Roberts told reporters post-game Sunday, including MLB.com’s Sonja Chen. “He was down, really down, and just couldn’t keep going.
“We had no other choice. He’s doing everything he can. I don’t know what his status will be like for Game 3. But for tonight, we had no other option.”
Freeman missed the final three games of the Dodgers’ regular-season schedule after spraining his ankle, but he received just over a week of rest as a result of the club earning a first-round bye as the NL’s top seed. Still, he would’ve required a lengthy IL stint if it weren’t for the postseason.
The left-handed-hitting first baseman went 2-for-5 with a pair of singles in Game 1 versus San Diego. He also successfully stole second base despite playing on one healthy ankle.
“It is not ideal,” Roberts said. “It is of concern. It’s day-to-day and there’s nothing we can do about it. We have a workout tomorrow evening and then we’ll just kind of see where he’s at with treatment. And then, once we get to Tuesday, we’ll see how he feels, and then we’ll do the same thing for Game 4. Again, it’s not ideal. But I think this is what we’ll have to be dealing with for the duration.”
During the regular season, Freeman – named an All-Star for the eighth time – hit 22 home runs and drove in 89 while slashing .282/.378/.476 across 147 games, accounting for a 137 wRC+ (100 league average).
The Padres also watched a key player depart due to injury Sunday, as shortstop Xander Bogaerts left the game due to hamstring cramps after homering in the eighth inning. However, he said post-game he doesn’t think it’ll impact his availability for Tuesday’s Game 3.
With or without Freeman, the Dodgers will attempt to retake a series lead while facing Michael King, who’ll be opposed by Walker Buehler when the thrilling showdown continues.
-Thomas Hall
Twitter: @Hall_Thomas_
Photo: All-Pro Reels. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license.