The Dodgers on Saturday announced first baseman Freddie Freeman will go on the family emergency list. He left the team Friday to be with his son, Maximus, who has been in the hospital according to an Instagram post by Freeman's wife, Chelsea.
In a corresponding move Los Angeles recalled catcher Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A. He's batting .295 with a .420 on-base percentage in 64 games this season. He has yet to make his Major League debut.
While the Dodgers could use some help at first base, Feduccia has exclusively caught throughout his minor league career.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts on Saturday told reporters Will Smith won't transition to first base per the LA Times' Jack Harris. However, the club could move Cavan Biggio to first base with Miguel Vargas moving to third according to Roberts. Vargas has struggled to find a home defensively, but he did play 613.2 innings at second base last year and another 55.2 innings at first base. This season he has exclusively played left field.
A bigger problem for LA without Freeman might be their offense. They were shutout Friday night in their first game without him. That's another area they'll need to pick up the slack while also figuring out how to best align the infield.
This has been a trying season for Roberts, who now might have his toughest stretch of games yet without his former MVP holding down that corner infield spot.
