The Los Angeles Dodgers erased their 2-0 deficit to the San Diego Padres behind an electric five-run inning as they went on to clinch the National League West title, but it included Freddie Freeman leaving the game.
Freeman was on crutches and wearing a walking boot in the Dodgers clubhouse as they celebrated their NL West title. He’s not going to travel with the team for their series against the Colorado Rockies and receive treatment for the sprained ankle over the weekend.
Freeman sustained the right ankle injury on his attempt to leg out an infield single. Freeman avoided a head-on collision with Luis Arraez but rolled his right ankle after crossing first base.
Freeman immediately went down in pain and slowly limped off the field. He did manage to walk into the clubhouse under his own power, but replay of the sequence showed how extreme Freeman’s right ankle turned.
Kiké Hernández, who had pinch-hit for Gavin Lux, remained in the game at first base for Freeman. Hernández figures to be the answer for the Dodgers for their final three games of the season that Freeman presumably is going to miss.
This marks a second time Freeman has been injured since the All-Star break. He previously missed time because of a hairline fracture in his right middle finger.
Freeman suffered the injury on Aug. 17 and struggled in six ensuing games. The Dodgers provided him with a stretch of three games off (four days overall because of a scheduled off day) before Freeman returned to the lineup for the series opener against the Arizona Diamondbacks at the end of August.
Freeman hit a home run in his first at-bat.
Impact of Freddie Freeman’s injury
If Freeman is to miss an extended period of time, it would represent yet another obstacle for the Dodgers in their quest to win the World Series.
The team already is going to be without key contributors Tyler Glasnow, Gavin Stone, Clayton Kershaw and Brusdar Graterol, among others.
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!
