Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman took a scary tumble into the Kansas City Royals’ dugout late in the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
After Freeman fell down the visiting dugout steps in pursuit of a foul pop-up in the top of the eighth inning, he initially tried to stay in the game. But Tommy Edman replaced Freeman as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the eighth inning, raising concerns about the possibility of a more serious injury.
Those concerns were allayed when Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after the game that Freeman avoided a worst-case scenario.
“Thomas (Albert, the Dodgers’ head athletic trainer) gave me an update by text and said he’s sore,” Roberts said. “Hand. Knee. Foot. Shoulder, a little bit. But I think that we really dodged a bullet. Very scary visually. … I think for right now (Freeman is) in good spirits, which I think is a good sign. Total body soreness right now so it’ll be day-to-day.”
Freeman said he hopes to play Thursday, when the Dodgers begin a critical series against the Milwaukee Brewers. He did not feel the need to undergo x-rays.
The soreness is primarily affecting Freeman’s right side, which he used to brace his fall into the dugout. If the soreness affects his swing, the Dodgers might decide a day off is best. Freeman is slashing .306/.380/.472 this season, with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs.
Freeman, who made his 10th career National League All-Star team earlier this season, has played all but three of the Dodgers’ first 121 games this season. Only Andy Pages has played more games, and taken more at-bats, than the 36-year-old.
Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts was asked after the game if seeing Freeman walk out of the dugout on his own power brought any sense of relief.
“Not much,” he said, “because if Freddie would’ve broke something he still would’ve gotten up and finished the inning.”