In the City of Angels, the anticipation is palpable as the Los Angeles Dodgers prepare to take on their opponents in the National League Division Series. Amidst the excitement, however, lies a lingering concern – the health of star player Freddie Freeman. Sidelined since September 26 with a sprained right ankle, Freeman’s availability for Game 1 has been a topic of much speculation.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts exuded confidence, stating, “I’m counting on him being in the lineup.” Freeman’s progress has been encouraging, with the slugger taking swings in the batting cages and participating in an intrasquad scrimmage on Thursday. Although he refrained from running the bases or playing defense, Roberts deemed it a significant step forward.
On Friday, Freeman took a crucial step towards recovery, fielding groundballs at first base and putting his ankle to the test with a brief sprint from first to third. While still favoring his tender ankle, Freeman reported a significant reduction in swelling over the past week. “I feel good,” he said. “Good enough.”
With Shohei Ohtani occupying the designated hitter spot, Freeman’s ability to play in the field is paramount. Should he be unable to participate, the Dodgers would need to adjust their lineup, shifting Max Muncy to first base and inserting Enrique Hernandez at third. However, Roberts is reluctant to consider such a scenario. “I really don’t want to think about that right now,” he said.
For Freeman, running the bases and participating in defensive drills marked the final hurdle to clear before declaring himself ready. By pushing off with his right foot while covering first base, he tested the ankle’s limits and felt reassured. The real challenge, he acknowledges, will come when slowing down on the bases. “They told me this is a four- to six-week injury,” Freeman said. “And I’m going to try to do it in a week and play.”
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