Dodgers Make Exciting Roster Move Hinting at Freddie Freeman Return
The Los Angeles Dodgers have optioned catcher Hunter Feduccia to Triple-A, per the team’s transaction log.
The team is clearing a roster spot, hinting at first baseman Freddie Freeman officially being reinstated off the injured list for Friday’s game against the Chicago Cubs.
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed this week that Freeman was expected to rejoin the team on Friday, just in time for his bobblehead night celebrating his walk-off grand slam in the World Series.
“Just looking at his gait running yesterday, I would say that it’s better than it was when he started the season,” Roberts said Wednesday. “If nothing changes, he’ll be in the lineup on Friday.”
Now, it appears that move will officially come to fruition, as the Dodgers get set to welcome back their All-Star first baseman after a rough 2-4 road trip without him.
Kiké Hernández has been filling in at first base for Freeman, who re-injured his surgically-repaired ankle after slipping in the shower just under two weeks ago.
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While Hernández has four home this season, those are his only four hits on the year, as he’s gone 4-for-39 thus far.
Freeman has appeared in just three games this season, going 3-for-12 with two home runs, four runs batted in, and an OPS of 1.083. In addition to missing nine games due to his ankle injury, Freeman also missed the Dodgers’ two games in Japan after feeling discomfort in his ribs in the same place he dealt with broken rib cartilage during the postseason.
The Dodgers elected to give Freeman nearly two weeks off, which has likely given him ample time to get close to 100 percent after entering the season far from it.
Freeman is expected to be back on the lineup on Friday, where he’ll look to put on a show for his bobblehead night.
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Photo Credit: Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images
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less than 10% of the season completed. Pages, Muncy and Kike Hernandez are not performing. Freddie Freeman’s return should help. It may be too soon to panic on Pages and Muncy as starters. I was hoping that Kike could platoon with Muncy but neither of them can hit anymore. Maybe one of the three of them will improve.