The Los Angeles Dodgers performed the ultimate weekend of the common season with out Freddie Freeman after the All-Star first baseman sprained his ankle in their Sept. 26 sport towards the San Diego Padres.
Unbeknownst to followers, Freeman was instructed on the time of the damage that he would want 4 to six weeks to get better.
#Dodgers Freddie Freeman mentioned he'll play tomorrow. At time of damage, was instructed severity of his ankle sprain often requires 4-6 weeks on IL. “I'm going to try to do it in a week.”
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) October 5, 2024
Ten days later, Freeman wasn't simply included on the Dodgers' roster for his or her National League Division Series matchup towards the San Diego Padres. He was in the beginning lineup.
Freeman was a last-minute addition to Los Angeles' lineup towards San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease in Game 1 of their NLDS rematch. A 4-to-6-week timeline may have — and maybe ought to have — ended his season. Instead, he is in a place to begin for the Dodgers throughout the postseason.
Freddie Freeman simply instructed reporters as he was waking off the sphere, “I wish I had answer” on if he’s enjoying as we speak
He mentioned he nonetheless has one other field to test, going to hit in the cage https://t.co/QGeHG8e97F
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) October 5, 2024
Freeman will bat third and play first base. An All-Star this season for the eighth time in his profession, Freeman hit 22 dwelling runs, drove in 89, and slashed .282/.378/.476 for the NL West champion Dodgers.
Two years in the past, the Padres (93-69) eradicated the Dodgers (98-64) from the NLDS. This yr, San Diego completed because the runner-up in the NL West however gained eight of 13 head-to-head common season matchups towards Los Angeles.
Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
The Dodgers have been coping with accidents all season lengthy. In addition to Freeman's ankle, shortstop Miguel Rojas has a torn left adductor muscle that led him to play damage for a lot of September. Like Freeman, Rojas is in the lineup for Game 1.
Pitcher Clayton Kershaw was a longshot to be a part of the Dodgers' postseason plans after going weeks with out going through reside hitters due to a bone spur in his left large toe. Saturday, the Dodgers formally dominated him out of competing in October.
More information: Dodgers News: LA Leaves Clayton Kershaw Off NLDS Roster
The Padres had been dealt a current damage blow too. Joe Musgrove began Game 2 of their Wild Card collection towards the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, which the Padres gained 5-4. But Musgrove needed to go away the sport early due to an elbow damage and was not included on San Diego's roster for the NLDS.
Friday, Musgrove was not solely dominated out for the rest of the postseason — he'll probably miss all of 2025 as properly after being really useful for Tommy John surgical procedure.
More information: MLB Playoffs: Padres Pitcher to Have Season-Ending Surgery
Freeman's ankle won't be hanging on with some mixture of duct tape and glue, however even at lower than full energy, it is ok that he's keen to offer it a go. Whether that call proves clever will solely be revealed in hindsight.
