LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman, who gutted through a sprained right ankle to star in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Game 1 victory on Saturday night, exited Sunday’s Game 2 of the National League Division Series in the sixth inning with continued discomfort in that ankle.
Freeman lined out sharply in his last at-bat and was on the back end of a routine groundout to shortstop in the previous inning. That he was even playing at all against the San Diego Padres had not been a given; Freeman said this week that doctors told him his severe ankle sprain and bone bruise typically would land a player on the injured list for four to six weeks.
According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, Freeman has also been dealing with discomfort in his side, with both injuries requiring injections to provide relief in his ankle and numb his side.
“Right ankle discomfort,” says the Dodgers. Which, well, yeah. https://t.co/F3OsyVUjq7
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) October 7, 2024
He performed admirably in Game 1, recording a pair of hits and — to the surprise of manager Dave Roberts — stealing a base.
“I’m tired,” Freeman said Saturday night. “It’s a grind this week trying to get myself ready to play. We’ll start the process again tomorrow.”
Freeman went 0-for-2 with a strikeout on Sunday before Kiké Hernandez subbed in for the injured star. Max Muncy moved from third base to first base.
“I want to compete,” Freeman said after the game on Saturday. “If I’m out there, I don’t just want to be out there and a body.”
The concern over his health didn’t dissipate, despite his performance the night before. Freeman said he’d get to the park early and re-do his pre-game preparation in hopes of being able to play. As Sunday’s game wore on, it became clear that he could no longer compete.
The 35-year-old has generally been one of the more durable players, despite being in his mid-30s. He played in 147 games this season. The last time he missed significant time was due to a wrist fracture in 2017.
(Photo of Freddie Freeman from Saturday: Icon Sportswire via Associated Press)
