The Los Angeles Dodgers took a heavy blow in Game 5 of the NLCS, falling to the New York Mets in a crushing 12-6 defeat. This loss stings even more as the Dodgers were just one win away from punching their ticket to the World Series. Now, the path is anything but certain. The Mets, who had struggled early on in the series, seemed to come alive, while the Dodgers’ lineup faltered when it mattered most. Before Game 5, the gap between these teams was clear, but after the Mets’ offensive explosion, that gap has all but vanished. New York jumped from 9 to 21 hits, while the Dodgers, including key players like Freddie Freeman, looked sluggish.

Freeman, who has been an ironman for the Dodgers over the past five seasons, playing nearly 90% of the games, went hitless and is battling a sprained right ankle. Though it’s a testament to his toughness that he continues to push through the pain, his recent struggles are becoming more apparent, and with the Dodgers’ World Series hopes hanging in the balance, every play is critical. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts hinted that he may need to sit the eight-time All-Star in the next game to prevent further harm and to allow Freeman to recover.

Freddie Freeman might sit the next game out!

This season, Freddie Freeman has proven to be a formidable presence. Even through all the personal and emotional turmoil—and even a broken finger—he has toiled forward. But his sprained right ankle on Sept. 26 has been a killer when it comes to his performance levels. If others suffered the same, four to six weeks of rest were granted for sure. But Freeman doesn’t like to sit out and wait. However, this time he just might have to.

“But I do think that his swing is not right. I’m certain it’s the ankle. We’ll have that conversation, but it’s certainly an option to not have him in there for Game 6, yes,” said Dave Roberts after Game 5 with the Mets. But it’s going to be a tough pill to swallow for Freeman, who has been wanting to help wholeheartedly.

Recently, Freddie Freeman revealed that he prepped for four hours before the game to be able to play at the game itself. And it’s not like the LA Dodgers veteran wants the spotlight—it’s just he is habituated to ‘always show up’—a trait he got from his dad. And though he doesn’t want to rest, resting might just be for the best because doctors have warned him that his injury won’t improve until he can rest in the winter.

Freddie Freeman wholesome time with his son Charlie

Recently, Freddie Freeman‘s wife, Chelsea, shared a heartwarming update that gave fans a glimpse into a cherished family moment. In a sweet bonding tradition, Freddie and his son Charlie enjoyed opening baseball card packs together—a hobby that’s been gaining popularity. But this time, something special happened. “Charlie pulled ‘Daddy’ out of his deck of cards for the first time,” Chelsea shared, marking a touching moment that resonated with fans.

Family time is clearly precious for the Freemans, especially after what they’ve endured in recent months. Freddie has faced a tough season, not just physically with injuries but emotionally as well. The biggest blow came when their three-year-old son, Maximus, fell seriously ill. Max was paralyzed from head to toe and ended up in the ICU with a rare autoimmune condition. During this harrowing time, Freeman stepped away from the game to be by his son’s side. Thankfully, Chelsea has been keeping everyone updated, and Max is on the road to recovery.

For Freddie, family is his world. His love for his wife Chelsea and their three sons—Charlie, Brandon, and Maximus—has always been his driving force. Even if he has to take a step back from playing in the coming games, there’s no doubt that he’ll find joy and strength in his time spent with his family, and hopefully, recover in time to make more cherished memories, both on and off the field.