Much has been made of the veteran core on the Los Angeles Dodgers roster, which of course includes the likes of Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts.
Both perennial All-Stars endured some struggles throughout the 2025 season but managed to make key contributions when it mattered most to help the Dodgers capture a second consecutive World Series. Now Betts is poised to enter his seventh season with the Dodgers and Freeman his fifth.
And while this spring is going to offer more normalcy due to not beginning the regular season internationally, it might also include a bit of rehab for Freeman.
According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Freeman is expected to have some form of operations done and it could prevent him from joining Team Canada for the 2026 World Baseball Classic:
Team Canada’s WBC manager Ernie Whitt said that Freddie Freeman would like to participate, but it’s not set he would be available. Whitt said Freeman is having “some procedures done” and they will know more later with how he’s feeling.
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 9, 2025
Dodgers president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman struck a more optimistic view on the notion that Freeman needs an operation:
Andrew Friedman said today he didn’t believe Freddie Freeman would require any sort of procedure, for what it’s worth. https://t.co/m8Z6JDkXEt
— Fabian Ardaya (@FabianArdaya) December 9, 2025
Canadian baseball manager Ernie Whitt did not share additional details of the purported procedures Freeman faces. Nor did Friedman indicate what he doesn’t believe will be necessary.
During his media availability at MLB’s Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., Dodgers manager Dave Roberts alluded to some players recovering from health issues. One of which is Tommy Edman after having right ankle surgery (specifically, a debridement).
“We’ve got some other guys that are dealing with some injuries from the season,” Roberts noted, without providing specifics. “Just some of the guys with the surgeries that they kind of went through and just kind of on the mend. Tommy and guys like that.”
Possible Freddie Freeman procedures
It can be reasoned one might be on Freeman’s right ankle that already was operated on after the 2024 World Series.
Freeman famously played through a severe right ankle sprain in the 2024 postseason, along with broken cartilage in his ribs (effectively a rib fracture). Freeman had a delayed start to 2025 Spring Training and wound up missing the Tokyo Series, but because of left rib discomfort and not ankle trouble.
He played in just three games before going on the 10-day injured list with a right ankle sprain as he aggravated it after slipping in a shower at home.
Freeman otherwise was relatively healthy throughout the season and played in 147 games for the second consecutive year.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
