Dodgers News: Freddie Freeman ‘Banking’ on Ankle Injury Resolving Before NLDS
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is hopeful he will be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS next Saturday.
Freeman sustained an injury Thursday in the series finale against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers earned a 7-2 triumph to clinch the National League West. Meanwhile, Freeman also earned a walking boot and crutches after he rolled his ankle trying to avoid a tag at first.
The latest update of Freeman’s ankle is that it’s sprained, not broken. His x-rays also came back negative.
“It’s like a grapefruit,” Freeman told Jack Harris of The Los Angeles Times. “But they’re pretty optimistic that I should be able to go by Saturday in the playoffs. That’s what I’m banking on.”
The Dodgers star stayed in Southern California to receive treatment while the team traveled to Colorado for the final three games of the season.
Freeman has a week of rest to fully recover for the start of the playoffs.
“Obviously it’s really, really swollen, but they said once they get the fluid out, I should be able to go by Saturday,” Freeman said. “Fortunately enough, we have some time off now to heal this thing. I’m optimistic.”
Freeman has endured adversity on the field, but he’s also endured hardship off the field. In late July, Freeman missed several games because his 3-year-old son battled a rare case of Guillain-Barré syndrome.
Two months later, Max is starting to walk on his own again. It’s a huge milestone for the Freeman family who watched Max battle throughout his time in the hospital.
“Every day is better and better for Max and that’s all I can really ask for,” Freeman said. “But yeah, the last couple months have been trying.”
The trial Freeman faced off the field helped shape his current perspective.
“It’s all put in perspective now,” he said. “Yeah, tough couple of months. But when you look up and see that [we are] NL West champions and Max is walking now, things are OK.”
The ankle injury seems minuscule in the grand scheme of things. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows Freeman will do everything he can to be ready to go for the playoffs.
“He’s just such a warrior,” Roberts said. “And he’s gonna do anything he can to post.”
The entire team has been warriors this season as they fought to come out on top of the division despite the unprecedented number of injuries.
But can the Dodgers win the final battle?
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
