The Los Angeles Dodgers added another superstar to their lineup with the signing of longtime Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman to a six-year, $162 million contract.
Freeman made his highly anticipated 2022 Spring Training debut earlier this week, starting at his usual position and batting third in the lineup.
The 2020 National League MVP went the other way for a base hit with two strikes in the first inning and later beat out a potential double play. He also played four innings in the field.
After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts revealed Freeman will bat in the No. 2 or No. 3 spot of the Dodgers lineup this season, per Rowan Kavner of MLB.com:
“With him, it’s going to be two or three (spot in the lineup),” Roberts said. “I know Freddie’s open. This is more of just kind of today, but having him in the lineup is exciting for everyone.”
In addition to Freeman, the Dodgers lineup against the Cincinnati Reds featured several players who figure to start on Opening Day. Trea Turner and Justin Turner were penciled into the first two spots, and Will Smith batted cleanup.
AJ Pollock, Cody Bellinger and Chris Taylor also were in the lineup, while Walker Buehler made his 2022 Spring Training debut.
While Roberts confirmed Freeman will bat second or third, he isn’t set on a particular batting order and estimated to have six different lineups with the 32-year-old in it. Freeman hit second against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday.
Freeman appreciative of Dodgers fans making Spring Training debut memorable
Freeman’s Dodgers debut was met with loud cheers and fans chanting his name throughout the game.
“Usually not hearing that from Dodgers fans over the course of my career,” he told Kirsten Watson on the SportsNet LA broadcast. “But it was nice to get a very nice welcome.”
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