The Los Angeles Dodgers felt the absence of first baseman Freddie Freeman in their Friday loss to the Houston Astros after he was scratched from the lineup during pregame batting practice.
Over the last week, one of Freeman’s three sons, Maximus, became ill with what doctors believe is transient synovitis. A virus that makes standing or walking a near impossible task.
The situation has developed in severity rather quickly, and the Dodgers, including manager Dave Roberts, became privy to just before Friday’s game, per Bill Plunkett of the Southern California News Group:
“This is something that we just learned,” Roberts said as the Dodgers took the field for batting practice Friday afternoon. “He needs to be home and he’s gonna take care of that and then we’ll figure that out.”
Freeman missing Friday’s game was the first he had missed this season. There are times when family takes precedence over anything, and this is one of them:
“I just know that something spurred it where he feels like he’s gotta go home,” Roberts said of the sudden change Friday afternoon.
“He’s trying to be here for the team and also be there for his family. But when your child is going through things it’s just hard to be present and rightfully so. He certainly had a heavy heart the last few days and I just pray that Max is going to recover well and have a full recovery.”
The Dodgers won’t press Freeman to return, and it isn’t likely he’ll return before the team wraps up their series against the Astros in Houston:
After the game, Roberts said he did not expect Freeman to rejoin the team before they return to California for a two-game series in San Diego beginning Tuesday.
“I obviously just don’t see him being here for this series,” he said. “Once we get to the West Coast, we’ll see if that’s in play after the off day.”
The Dodgers are in a fortunate position with their current place in the standings, but they would love to have him back in the lineup as soon as possible. Until then, the Dodgers will understandably be without their star first baseman during an incredibly difficult time.
Because the move came at such a close moment until game time, the Dodgers played one position player short in the series opener with the Astros.
Dodgers call up Hunter Feduccia to supplement Freddie Freeman’s absence
According to initial reports, the Dodgers are calling up catcher Hunter Feduccia as a left-handed option during Freeman’s time away from the team.
The 27-year-old was on the travel roster for the Seoul Series, but otherwise began the 2024 season with Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 2024, Feduccia is batting .295/.420/.451 with 14 doubles, five home runs and 42 RBI.
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