The Dodgers just clinched the division title and dodged a major injury crisis on Thursday. All season long, it’s been a rollercoaster of injuries for the team, and Thursday was no different; when Freddie Freeman had to exit the game against the Padres in the seventh inning with what looked like an ankle injury. The first baseman was sprinting down the first-base line, trying to beat out a wide throw from Jake Cronenworth, and things didn’t go as planned.
Manager Dave Roberts had to pull him from the game, and you could feel the collective gasp from fans. It was a nail-biter moment, but thankfully, the Dodgers still secured the NL West title with a solid 7-2 win. While they celebrated, Freddie was definitely feeling a mix of awe and pain. The veteran was seen using crutches in the clubhouse. But good news just came the Dodgers’ way to make the celebrations even sweeter.
When will Freddie Freeman come back?
It was a scary sight at Dodger Stadium when Freddie Freeman rolled his right ankle after stepping on the bag. But thankfully, it looks like he dodged a potentially devastating blow – the X-ray results confirmed it. As per MLB, They came back negative; this news definitely gives the Dodgers some optimism that their star first baseman will be ready soon, especially with the National League Division Series kicking off next Saturday. However, Freddie’s still dealing with pain and a swollen ankle.
But true to the team spirit, he’s staying positive, saying, “They’re pretty optimistic that I should be able to go by Saturday in the playoffs. That’s what I’m banking on.” Also, it’s his first time rolling an ankle, so dealing with some uncertainty for the player goes without saying. Fans are hoping it’s his first and last time, but, despite all worries, the Dodgers’ president of baseball operations has already laid out a plan for Freddie Freeman.
Their first baseman. won’t be traveling with the team to Colorado for the final series of the regular season. Instead, he’s staying home to get some extra treatment, as Andrew Friedman put it, “We have no reason to play him this weekend; we’ll make sure that he’s rested up and ready to go next Saturday.” That sounds like a smart decision, but the team definitely needs Freddie back in action for the playoff battle. They clinched the division title the same day as he was sidelined, but things could have gone sideways.
The Dodgers’ win was a bumpy road
Spending over $1 billion on contracts this winter, the Los Angeles Dodgers had sky-high hopes for their lineup—and so did the fans. At the start of the season, they laid out their plans with big expectations, but things didn’t exactly go according to plan. They faced a lot of injury troubles, particularly with their starting pitchers. Can you believe all five hurlers who opened the season in the rotation ended up on the injured list at least once? Thursday’s win didn’t come easy for the team, but once again, they found a way to pull through.
After getting dominated for six innings by Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove and witnessing Freddie’s exit, the Dodgers were just waiting for their chance—because things could have really gone sideways. But then, in the seventh inning, Max Muncy drew a leadoff walk and the picture changed: Will Smith stepped up and hit a game-tying two-run blast; just four batters later, Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani came through with a go-ahead RBI single. And then, Mookie Betts delivered the dagger with a two-run single to cap off a five-run inning.
With a 7-2 win over the Padres at the Dodger Stadium, the blue crew extended one of the most dominant runs in Major League history, securing their 11th NL West title in 12 seasons. It’s an incredible achievement, but the ultimate dream is still that World Series title – this victory is just one step closer. Now, the big question is: Can they become champions again after 2020? And will Freddie come back with the same streak? Drop what you think will happen in the comments.
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Freddie Freeman's ankle injury—Will the Dodgers' playoff hopes crumble without their star player?