Freddie Freeman Expects to Miss Spring Training Due to Injury, ‘On Track’ to Play in Dodgers Opener in Japan

Los Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman revealed he doesn’t plan on participating in spring training, but should be ready to play in the Tokyo Series to open the season.

“I don’t think I will be in the games at the beginning. It looks like I’m going to start a running progression right when I get to spring training,” Freeman said at Fan Fest Saturday. “As of right now, I am on track to be able to play in Tokyo.”

Freeman added he will take part in live batting practice and workouts. The first baseman is eight weeks out from surgery to remove bone chips and spurs from his right ankle.

Freeman suffered a sprained ankle in late September during a Dodgers series against the San Diego Padres. Freeman’s injury would have typically require a four-to-six week stint on the injured list, but he insisted on returning to the lineup less than two weeks later for the National League Divisional Series.

Freeman missed a few games throughout October because of his severe ankle injury, but he etched his name in Dodgers lore during Game 1 of the World Series. With two outs in the tenth inning, Freeman hit walk-off grand slam to give the Dodgers a triumphant win over the New York Yankees.

It was the call heard around the world: “Gibby, meet Freddie!”

The parallel with Kirk Gibson’s 1988 World Series walk-off home run was simply uncanny.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images