Freddie Freeman’s newest ankle challenge will hold him out longer than initially anticipated.
Throughout the Dodgers’ journey day to Philadelphia on Thursday, the workforce introduced Freeman had been positioned on the 10-day injured checklist, retroactive to March 31.
The strikes signifies that Freeman gained’t be eligible to return to motion till subsequent weekend, when the membership returns dwelling for a three-game collection in opposition to the Chicago Cubs April 11-13.
Freeman has been out since he slipped within the bathe at his dwelling Sunday and fell, aggravating the suitable ankle he had surgically repaired this offseason within the course of.
Freeman skilled swelling in his ankle within the wake of the mishap, and required in depth periods of therapy from the workforce’s coaching employees.
Regardless of that, he went via two days of routine pregame work this week, whereas lacking all three video games in opposition to the Atlanta Braves. And the preliminary expectation was that he could be out there for the beginning of the workforce’s Philadelphia-Washington D.C. journey Friday.
On Tuesday night time, supervisor Dave Roberts stated there was even a 50/50 shot of Freeman being again within the lineup Wednesday.
As a substitute, Freeman will now go on the IL for the primary time in his Dodgers profession — and the primary time for a non-COVID-19 associated purpose since he suffered a wrist fracture with the Braves in 2017.
Dodgers first base Freddie Freeman watches from the dugout Tuesday in opposition to the Atlanta Braves.
(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Instances)
Even earlier than his slip within the bathe, Freeman’s ankle — which he sprained within the final week of the common season final yr, and had surgically repaired after enjoying via the harm through the Dodgers’ World Collection run — was not but again to 100%.
All through spring coaching and the opening week of the season, he nonetheless required near an hour day by day pregame therapy. After enjoying three straight video games in opposition to the Detroit Tigers final week, he stated it was “getting a little stiff” close to the tip of the collection.
Nonetheless, Freeman stated these points have been “nothing to be ever worried about,” and hoped the workforce’s uncommon Sunday off-day would offer him additional reprieve.
Alas, his proper foot slipped as he tried stepping right into a bathtub-shower. And now, he’ll have to attend at the least one other week earlier than returning.
