Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman is dealing with an ankle issue again.
Freeman missed the end of the regular season with a right ankle injury, then was considered a game-time decision for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres. He powered through the nagging ailment to ensure he'd be on the field for the playoffs but aggravated the injury again in Game 2 and was removed from the contest.
The 35-year-old was considered a game-time decision for Tuesday's Game 3 but found himself in the starting lineup.
Freeman seemed to be cruising along just fine until he tweaked his right ankle while jumping to reel in a double-play throw in the fourth inning. He remained in the game until the eighth inning, when he could hardly make it down the first-base line after roping a single to center field.
The Dodgers received worse news Wednesday, as the injury will hold Freeman out of the lineup for a must-win Game 4 in San Diego.
The Sporting News has you covered with the latest updates on Freeman's ankle injury below.
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Freddie Freeman ankle injury update
Freeman has been scratched from the Dodgers' lineup in a win-or-go-home Game 4 against the Padres, per ESPN's Alden Gonzalez. Max Muncy will move to first base and Kiké Hernandez will take over at third base.
Freeman re-aggravated his right ankle injury during the fourth inning of NLDS Game 3, which Los Angeles lost, 6-5, in San Diego.
He jumped to haul in a double-play throw from shortstop Tommy Edman but tweaked his ankle on the base on the way down.
The Dodgers turn a huge double play, but Freddie Freeman, nursing a bad ankle, lands awkwardly. pic.twitter.com/IbMhXBKb8z
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 9, 2024
Freeman played through the injury for most of the game but it was clear he was favoring his nagging ankle.
In the top of the eighth inning, with the Dodgers attempting to mount a comeback trailing by one run, Freeman roped a single into center field. He could hardly make it down the first-base line and needed a substitution.
Los Angeles pinch-ran Chris Taylor, removing Freeman from the game. Teoscar Hernandez popped out to first base on the next at-bat, so Taylor never had to run.
Freddie Freeman hits a single and comes out of the game limping off the field pic.twitter.com/bQ6t9Nz7LD
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 9, 2024
Freeman finished the night going 1-for-4 at the plate and the Dodgers went on to drop Game 3 to San Diego to fall behind 2-1 in the series.
Now, the star first baseman will be out for the biggest game of the season with hopes of returning to the lineup if Los Angeles can force a Game 5 back at Dodger Stadium.
