Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman missed his second straight game on Friday, even after a rest day on Thursday.
Freeman was out on Wednesday as well for the series finale against the Cincinnati Reds.
According to manager Dave Roberts, Freeman has been battling right knee soreness.
“Just turf, flight, travel, I think it’s just smart to give him one more day, and then my expectation is he’ll be back in there tomorrow,” Roberts said.
The skipper revealed that Freeman did, in fact, get treatment on his knee, which, in conjunction with all of the other factors.
“I was hoping he’d be in there today, but the training stuff suggests that he’s down another day, so my expectation is he’ll be in there tomorrow,” Roberts added.
Freeman has been slumping before is down time. In the month of September, he is just 3-for-22 (.136) with nine strikeouts and five walks.
Why has Freddie Freeman struggled
Roberts did pinpoint the knee as playing a role in his struggles.
“Freddie does a really good job of hitting against his front side, and then when you can’t do that with your front side — your right knee — then you’re compromised,” Roberts told reporters, including Dodgers Nation. “I see there’s [been] a lot more swing-and-miss in the last few days. That’s just not who he is.”
At the age of 36, it is understandable for a player of Freeman’s experience and age to get some wear over the course of a long season.
Luckily, with little running exposure and limited and limited mobility needed for first base, Freeman will not get his knee pushed too much on his return.
Also, he has been absolutely great this season. He is slashing .297/.375/.453 with an .828 OPS. His swing and approach still get things done when he is right and healthy.
