The Los Angeles Dodgers are managing yet another injury, this time to Freddie Freeman. The star first baseman left Sunday’s game against the Milwaukee Brewers after being hit by a pitch on his left wrist in the sixth inning.
Manager Dave Roberts described Freeman as day-to-day with a contusion, while X-rays were negative.
“I held my breath,” Roberts said via the Associated Press. “I think we all did because, you know, when you’re scuffling and to potentially lose a guy for four to six weeks is obviously very scary. But, you know, exhale, sigh of relief after hearing that (the X-ray) was negative.”
The Dodgers fell 6-5 to Milwaukee, their third straight loss and the 10th in the last 12 games. They now lead the National League West by just 3.5 games.
Injury Put a Scare into Dodgers
After he was hit flush on the wrist by a Jose Quintana 88 mph sinker, the 35-year-old Freeman immediately walked toward the Dodgers’ dugout where he chatted briefly with Roberts and a team trainer before exiting the game.
“He just doesn’t come out of games,” Roberts said via MLB.com. “I didn’t know why he was walking toward me. Then him saying that it was his wrist and he can’t continue. So yeah, really worried, and typically it’s the other way around.”
It certainly put a scare into Freeman, who broke his left wrist in 2017 after being hit by a pitch with the Atlanta Braves.
While Freeman has been scuffling at the plate, posting a .553 OPS since June 1, his overall numbers remain strong. In 87 games, the nine-time All-Star and former NL MVP is slashing .292/.365/.471 with 10 home runs and 49 RBI.
The Dodgers entered Monday’s three-game series against the Minnesota Twins with a 58-42 record.
Dodgers Hit Hard by Injuries
Injuries continue to significantly impact the Dodgers. Los Angeles currently has approximately a dozen players on the injured list, including third baseman Max Muncy (knee) and pitchers Blake Snell (shoulder), Roki Sasaki (shoulder) and Michael Kopech (knee).
Early indications are that Freeman — who was on the 10-day IL in April because of an ankle injury — won’t have to join them. Roberts said that rookie Dalton Rushing will start at first base if Freeman is unable to play in Monday’s series opener. Rushing, who has a .574 OPS in 25 games, has primarily served as a backup to catcher Will Smith.
Dodgers Get Encouraging News on Injury to Perennial All-Star