Freddie Freeman 'Perfectly on Track' for Dodgers Opener After Surgery on Ankle Injury

Freddie Freeman said he is “perfectly on track” to be ready for the Los Angeles Dodgers' season opener on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs, per ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez.

Freeman underwent offseason ankle surgery but is already nearing full strength. He even took swings at live batting practice ahead of schedule, unable to resist the urge.

"I wasn’t supposed to swing today, but I swung," Freeman said, per MLB’s Sonja Chen. "I couldn’t help myself."

After playing through ankle pain in October, Freeman initially believed rest and physical therapy would be enough for recovery. However, after the season, his ankle continued to swell, leading to further evaluation.

An MRI confirmed that while previously torn ligaments had healed, bone spurs needed to be shaved down, and a piece of cartilage had migrated near his Achilles tendon, ultimately requiring surgery, per Gonzalez.

Freeman wrapped up the season with 22 home runs, 89 RBI and a .300 batting average, finishing postseason play with a .250/.291/.519 slash line as the Dodgers claimed a World Series title.

After the whirlwind of injuries and championship glory, including a walk-off Grand Slam in Game 1, Freeman is eager for a "smoother" season.

"I feel good, body feels good, ankle’s trending right where I want it to be," Freeman said, per Chen. "Obviously dealt with a lot last year, so hopefully it’s a smoother ride for the Freeman family this year."

Leaving the past behind, the 35-year-old is starting fresh and has set his sights on playing every game in 2025.

"The goal is 162," Freeman said, per Gonzalez. "Hopefully, it's 161 because I always take the game off after we win the division."

The goal of playing in every game stems from how much Dodger Nation and his teamates means to Freeman as he enters his fourth season with the team.

"Obviously, what we went through as a family, to have that situation come up … I’d rather strike out in that situation than see Max go through it. And to have the complete opposite happen, it took a while," Freeman said, per Chen. "But every day I go out, someone’s always coming up. … It’s special. I’m just glad to be part of so many wonderful memories for so many people."