Dodgers' Freddie Freeman Re-Injured Ankle After Shower 'Mishap,' Dave Roberts Says

The Los Angeles Dodgers will not have Freddie Freeman in the lineup for Monday's game against the Atlanta Braves after he suffered an ankle injury in the shower.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters the veteran slipped and injured the ankle in the shower and is considered day-to-day. He also said it was a "mishap" that resulted in Freeman tweaking his right ankle that was previously surgically repaired.

The first baseman did not play in the Dodgers' first two games of the season against the Chicago Cubs in Japan on March 18 and 19 because of a rib injury, but he returned to the lineup for their three-game set against the Detroit Tigers on March 27-29.

He started all three of those games and slashed .250/.250/.833 with two home runs and four RBI while picking up where he left off from a power perspective after winning the World Series MVP last season.

Freeman is one of the best players of his generation with a resume that includes two World Series titles, a National League MVP, last year's World Series MVP, eight All-Star selections, three Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove.

While he is 35 years old, he showed no signs of slowing in 2024 as an All-Star who slashed .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBI. He, Mookie Betts and Shohei Ohtani give the Dodgers plenty of star power in their lineup on a nightly basis, which is one reason they are on the short list of realistic World Series contenders.

Los Angeles is already 5-0 on the campaign despite being without Freeman and Betts for the first two games against the Cubs.

It is far more likely to defend its World Series crown with a healthy Freeman in the lineup come October, but it has enough depth to tread water during what could be a short-term absence given the day-to-day designation.

Enrique Hernández played first base in those initial two games and could fill in again until the normal starter is ready to return.