Freddie Freeman returned to the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup in Game 5 of the National League Championship Series after missing the previous contest due to his sprained right ankle.
Freeman labored through the game as he went 0-for-5 at the plate. He has appeared in eight of the Dodgers’ 10 postseason matchups thus far, but could again be out when the NLCS shifts back to Dodger Stadium for Game 6.
Freeman has been plagued by the ankle injury since the end of September, when he was held out of the Dodgers’ final series of the regular season.
The eight-time All-Star discussed being limited by the injury and said he’s having a difficult time keeping up with his routine, via Juan Toribio of MLB.com:
“It is what it is,” Freeman said. “I know what every day is like, I just wish I could do my routine. You guys know I’m very routine-based, and I haven’t been able to do it. I’ll get to the field tomorrow when the training room opens to get my treatment and right after that get in the cage to try and fix this swing.”
Freeman has received treatment for his ankle to remain in the Dodgers lineup, but the pain is not improving. He has gone just 7-for-32 with one RBI in the 2024 postseason and also does not look the same defensively.
Despite Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicating Freeman would be in the lineup for Game 6, Max Muncy is instead at first base.
Freeman presumably will be available for a pinch-hit opportunity. The Mets are starting the left-handed Sean Manaea, which may have given the Dodgers further incentive to keep Freeman out of the lineup.
Dodgers didn’t consider resting Freddie Freeman in Game 5
Had Freeman not played Friday, it would have afforded him three days off in a row before possibly returning to the field. But that wasn’t a scenario the Dodgers entertained.
“I think the one day was good. Yes, another day would probably have been better, certainly. But I just feel that I want to put our best lineup out there today. I want to win tonight,” manager Dave Roberts said heading into Game 5.
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