Freddie Freeman’s Absence From Dodgers Could End Soon

The Dodgers have struggled without their stalwart first baseman, Freddie Freeman, who is on the family emergency list while his son battles a rare autoimmune condition.

The Dodgers aren’t expecting Freeman back this weekend. However, manager Dave Roberts told reporters in Oakland that he could return during the upcoming series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Dodgers have averaged 3.8 runs per game since Freeman left the team last Friday in Houston. That’s more than a full run lower than the Dodgers’ average runs per game (4.9) for the 2024 season.

After playing the A’s Saturday and Sunday in Oakland, the Dodgers return home for a three-game series against the National League-leading Philadelphia Phillies.

Freeman’s absence is understandable.

While the Dodgers were on the road his son, Maximus, was hospitalized and diagnosed with Guillain-Barré syndrome . According to an Instagram post by his wife, Chelsea, Maximus’ case is severe.

“This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed. We have been blown away by his improvements in the last 48 hours,” Chelsea Freeman wrote. “Maximus was excavated from his breathing tube and taken off of the ventilator yesterday, which is a huge win for us. We believe in the power of prayer and we have been witnessing a miracle in his recovery. Please continue to cover Maximus and our family in your prayers.”

The Dodgers have leaned on Cavan Biggio in Freeman’s absence. Biggio is starting again on Saturday. The former Toronto Blue Jays infielder is hitting .199 with three home runs and nine RBIs in 28 games since he was acquired via trade on June 12.

A return this week would be timely, as the schedule isn’t doing the Dodgers any favors this month. They’ll have an off-day Thursday after hosting the Philadelphia Phillies for three games, but that’s their only respite amid a stretch of 19 games in 20 days.

Photo Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

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