Freddie Freeman is not in the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup for their series finale against the New York Mets, marking just the second such instance since he returned from the 10-day injured list. Kiké Hernández is making the start at first base.
Freeman notoriously goes into each season with a goal of playing all 162 games, but he recognized during Spring Training that this year likely was going to be different.
Freeman underwent right ankle surgery during the offseason and the recovery process delayed his 2025 Cactus League debut. Once that came, Freeman acknowledged he would need to be open to more rest days this season as he managed the surgically-repaired ankle.
Then came a slipping incident at the end of March that aggravated Freeman’s ankle and ultimately led to a stint on the injured list. That caused him to miss nine games, but Freeman admitted after the fact that taking the small break was beneficial for his health.
Freeman indicated he would receive more off days in the immediate future, and the first came after playing back-to-back games upon being activated. Though, he pinch-hit in the Dodgers’ loss to the Chicago Cubs on April 13.
As the Dodgers were poised to begin a road trip of 10 games in as many days, manager Dave Roberts said Freeman was likely to sit at some point during their series with the Miami Marlins. However, that never came to be, and the 35-year-old was in a stretch of starting 45 games in a row before Thursday.
That span did include seven off days on the Dodgers’ schedule after Freeman’s return in April and into May.
Status of Freddie Freeman’s ankle
Freeman was seen grimacing and limping after a slide into home plate during the series opener against the New York Yankees on May 30. He didn’t necessarily aggravate his right ankle again, but did feel some discomfort during a sequence earlier that night.
“It was more the rundown,” he said that night. “The rundown actually kind of got me a little bit. But I still can slide, I guess.”
Freeman not being in the Dodgers lineup on June 5 isn’t cause for concern, as it’s merely the Dodgers looking to get their veteran rare rest. Freeman was pinch-hit for in the eighth inning on Wednesday night.
“He still feels good,” Roberts said. “I just think it’s a good day. Day game after a night game, got the three games in St. Louis, then San Diego, to give him a down day and be available late if we need.”
Freeman presumably will be in the lineup for the entirety of the Dodgers’ six-game road trip that leads into an off day in their schedule on June 12.
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