The Los Angeles Dodgers have given a significant update on Freddie Freeman just days before the National League Division Series (NLDS). On Wednesday, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts stated that Freeman has been practicing in the batting cage and will likely face live pitching either Thursday or Friday. Roberts is confident that Freeman will be in the starting lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS, though he acknowledged that Freeman’s ankle injury could limit his performance, especially on defense and the base paths.
Freeman sprained his ankle during last Thursday’s win against the San Diego Padres. The injury occurred in the bottom of the seventh inning when Freeman tried to avoid a poor throw by Jake Cronenworth at first base. As Freeman attempted to dodge the tag, he awkwardly stepped and twisted his ankle. He did not travel with the team to Colorado afterward, but he remained optimistic that he would be ready for the NLDS opener.
Although Freeman has been recovering, the next couple of days will be crucial in determining how close he can get to full health before the series begins. The Dodgers plan to monitor his progress to assess how much of an impact he can make during the postseason.
Despite the injury, Freeman had a productive season for the Dodgers, appearing in 147 games. He posted a solid batting line, slashing .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs. Freeman’s presence is vital to the Dodgers’ playoff hopes, and his ability to return to the lineup at close to full strength will be a key factor in the team’s postseason success.
As of now, all signs suggest that Freeman will be ready to play in Game 1 of the NLDS. However, how effective he can be with his ankle injury remains to be seen, and the Dodgers will use the coming days to evaluate his readiness.
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