The Los Angeles Dodgers endured an injury scare when Freddie Freeman was removed in the fourth inning of Team Canada’s game on Tuesday. The Fox broadcast reported it was due to a “minor hamstring injury,” which Canada manager Ernie Whitt confirmed after a 5-0 win against Colombia.
“Right now he had tightness in his hammy,” Whitt said. “And of course for precautionary reasons we took him out of the game right away. He felt something on one of his swings, his second at-bat.
“So again we would do that to anyone if there’s discomfort or something like that, we’re going to take them out. All precautions. … We’re waiting from the doctors to see what they say and also the Dodgers. Again, that’s the most important thing is his health.”
Freeman was not in the lineup for Team Canada’s final game in the World Baseball Classic, as he instead returned to Camelback Ranch to begin receiving treatment.
Manager Dave Roberts said Freeman has recovered well and is on track to return to the Dodgers lineup this weekend, as seen on SportsNet LA:
“Freddie is doing fine. The plan is for Saturday, he’s going to DH. Just to kind of get him back to taking at-bats. And the plan is on Sunday, he’ll be at first base and take a day off Monday.”
Freeman getting back into Cactus League play against the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics supports the confidence he expressed that the hamstring tightness was minor and Opening Day was not in jeopardy.
Although the 33-year-old was looking forward to playing in the WBC for a second time in his career, the risk of potential injury was something he was mindful of — though primarily for starting pitchers.
“You’re just a little nervous with the ramp-up,” Freeman acknowledged prior to the World Baseball Classic. “Because in Spring Training, you go three innings, four innings, 50 to 55 pitches to get your work done. Maybe you only go 40 (pitches) and throw 20 more in the bullpen. It’s a little bit different for starters.
“As long as everyone has fun and stays healthy, that’s all we can really ask for. Hopefully it’s a good tournament.”
Freddie Freeman Spring Training stats
Prior to leaving Dodgers camp for the WBC, Freeman hit .353/.421/1.000 with two doubles, three home runs and eight RBI through 17 Cactus League games.
Freeman remains the Dodgers’ leader in home runs hit during Spring Training and is second to Hunter Feduccia (nine) for most RBI.
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