Freddie Freeman’s efforts to play with a right ankle sprain exemplified the toughness that his club has emphasized on the field this postseason, but the Dodgers’ star first baseman could only go so far.
The condition, which Freeman claimed would ordinarily need a four- to six-week stint on the injured list, flared up to the point that he had to leave Game 2 of the National League Division Series on Sunday, a 10-2 loss to the Padres at Dodger Stadium that tied the series at one game apiece.
Manager Dave Roberts said Freeman’s availability for Game 3 on Tuesday night at Petco Park will be determined.
“I got word in the middle of the game that his ankle was really bothering him,” Roberts told reporters. “He was terribly low and couldn’t keep going.
“We had no other options. He’s doing all he can. I’m not sure what his condition will be for Game 3. But for tonight, we had no other choice.”
Freeman did not speak to the media following the loss.
After spraining his ankle in the Dodgers’ NL West-clinching game against the Padres on September 26, Freeman missed the final three games of the regular season before returning to action in a little more than a week.
Freeman’s participation for Game 1 of the NLDS, which the Dodgers won 7-5, had been called into question due to ankle pain. But he made it through his pregame workout, and with the help of medication, he played all nine innings in the series opener, going 2-for-5 and stealing second base.
The Padres, fully aware of the situation, chose to intentionally walk Mookie Betts twice during Saturday’s game, even after reaching two strikes on him in one instance. Betts had been hitless in his last 22 postseason at-bats. This decision was primarily based on matchups, according to San Diego manager Mike Shildt, but the team also hoped to exploit Freddie Freeman’s compromised health.
Before Game 2, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts mentioned that it was an “easier” decision to include Freeman in the lineup, despite Freeman not feeling significantly better than the day before. Freeman, who knows how to manage his injury during games, started at first base but went hitless in two at-bats against Padres starter Yu Darvish. When the Dodgers took the field for the top of the sixth inning, Max Muncy shifted from third to first base, replacing Freeman, and Kiké Hernández entered at third base. Freeman’s decision to leave the game before his next at-bat, with the team trailing by only two runs, was notable given his reputation for seizing those moments.
“I know I took a big risk with how I’m feeling, but the opportunity presented itself, and I had to go for it,” Freeman said after Game 1. “As I mentioned before the game, if I can’t play the right way, I shouldn’t be out there. I was doing well enough. Adrenaline took over, but now it’s worn off, and I’m exhausted. It’s been a grind this week trying to get myself ready to play.”
Due to the nature of Freeman’s injury, the Dodgers will likely need to monitor him closely for the remainder of their postseason.
“It’s not ideal,” Roberts admitted. “It’s concerning. It’s a day-to-day situation, and there’s not much we can do. We’ll see how he responds to treatment and evaluate him before Game 4. Unfortunately, this is something we’ll have to manage for the rest of the postseason.”
Leave a Reply