Dodgers News: Mookie Betts Reflects on Struggles Freddie Freeman Has Seen This Season

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman battled to play in four of the Dodgers’ five games during the National League Division Series. After sustaining an ankle sprain during the Dodgers’ second-last series of the regular season, Freeman’s status came into question for the playoffs.

Freeman wanted and believed he would be able to play, but that it would not be easy as he dealt with an injury that would normally keep him out for at least four weeks.

Freeman went through an extensive pre-game process to manage to play in Game 1 of the series last week against the San Diego Padres. He recorded two hits in his first game back from injury. In Game 2, Freeman exited in the sixth inning because of his ankle injury.

He managed to return for Game 3 but did not play in Game 4. Freeman did return for the final game of the series, which the Dodgers won to advance to the NL Championship Series.

Mookie Betts credited Freeman for what he has been through after the team’s victory on Friday.

“He goes unnoticed by everyone on the outside,” Betts said, via SportsNet LA. “People don’t know what Freddie goes through but on the inside, we know what he’s going through and we know how much he wants to win. Can’t really ask for a better leader, a better teammate, a better person than Freddie.”

It certainly has been a challenging season for Freeman, who has faced numerous obstacles since the All-Star break in July. Along with his ankle injury, Freeman also missed time because of a finger injury. More significantly, Freeman took time away from the Dodgers as his son, Max, battled a rare case of Guillain-Barré syndrome. Max was hospitalized, and Freeman left the team to be with his son and family.

Max was later released from the hospital and has progressed well through his recovery, and Freeman returned to the field. Now, Freeman is helping the Dodgers chase another World Series title as all his sons are able to attend and watch him play. He still will have to battle through his injury the rest of the way, but Freeman will push through.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

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