Injuries threatened to derail the Los Angeles Dodgers all season and have significantly impacted their postseason outlook.
Not only are the Dodgers without the likes of Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone and Clayton Kershaw, among others, but Freddie Freeman (sprained right ankle) and Miguel Rojas (left adductor tear) remain limited in their availability.
Neither were in the Dodgers lineup for Game 4 despite the team facing elimination against the San Diego Padres. It was expected with Rojas after he re-aggravated his injury on Tuesday, though somewhat of a surprise for Freeman, who was in the initial lineup.
A collective Dodgers effort staved off elimination and forced the NLDS to a winner-take-all Game 5 at Dodger Stadium on Friday night.
Dodgers injuries
Freddie Freeman
Freeman revealed after Game 4 that being included when the first Dodgers lineup was announced was merely “gamesmanship” he and manager Dave Roberts agreed to. They knew from an early-morning meeting that Freeman would not be available.
As for Game 5, the 35-year-old couldn’t yet say whether or not he’ll be in the Dodgers lineup.
“We’ll find out and see how the ankle feels. Every day is day-to-day,” Freeman said.
Only once so far in the NLDS has Freeman managed to play an entire game. He was removed early from Games 2 and 3, before not playing Thursday.
Miguel Rojas
Rojas missed the Dodgers’ final series of the regular season and received treatment during the week leading up to the start of the NLDS.
His adductor became a bigger issue on an ill-fated attempt at a double play in Game 3, but it wasn’t until Rojas was attempting to run the bases that he was removed because of the injury.
“I can’t tell you right now, because today I didn’t have a good day. Let’s see how I wake up [Thursday]. I’m going to try to go through baseball activities and make myself available for Game 5,” Rojas said after the Dodgers won Game 4.
“Today was a lot of pain. Remember, I already know what I have. I have a torn muscle in my hip, so I’m going to have to get it repaired after the season is over. I’m playing under medication and a lot of things, but that’s not an excuse. I’ll just try to make myself available for Game 5 and try to go from there.”
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