Dodgers All-Star Poised to Return For Series Opener vs Diamondbacks
The Dodgers are 8-2 in their last 10 games, a stretch that has coincidentally overlapped with an injury to their All-Star first baseman and his absence for the last four games.
Freddie Freeman, fractured finger and all, is poised to return to the starting lineup Friday in Phoenix.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters prior to Thursday’s game at Dodger Stadium that Freeman’s extended break will end at three games. Combined with Monday’s off-day, Freeman has enjoyed the last four days off while he attempts to heal the fractured middle finger on his right hand without going on the injured lst.
Freeman suffered the hairline fracture fielding a ground ball Aug. 17 in St. Louis. Although x-rays were initially negative, a subsequent scan revealed the fracture. The 34-year-old first baseman insisted he could play through the injury. He missed one game, then went 3 for 25 with seven strikeouts in six games after returning.
Against this backdrop, it’s worth wondering whether Freeman will pick up where he left off, or be closer to the All-Star form he displayed in the season’s first half. Prior to the injury, he was slashing .292/.391/.488 with 17 home runs and 72 RBIs in 116 games.
Utility player Kiké Hernandez started at first base in Freeman’s absence. A versatile defender, his .696 OPS against left-handed pitchers (.595 against righties) limits his offensive upside.
Freeman has been the Dodgers’ everyday number-3 hitter when healthy. Last year he slashed .331/.410/.567 and led MLB with 59 doubles, while hitting 29 home runs and 102 RBIs.
Freeman led the National League in on-base percentage (.407), hits (199), doubles (47) and runs scored (117) in 2022, his first year with the Dodgers. A six-year, $162 million contract keeps Freeman in Los Angeles through 2027, so the Dodgers have to be mindful of protecting Freeman’s health as a long-term investment.
They are also in the thick of a tight divisional race. The Diamondbacks (76-58) trail the Dodgers (80-54) by four games in the National League West standings. The next four games will be critical for the Dodgers to gain any separation over one of their closest rivals. The Padres (76-60) are only five games behind.
Photo Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
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