Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ star first baseman, underwent successful surgery on his right ankle Thursday. The procedure, performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung at Kerlan-Jobe Orthopedic Clinic in Los Angeles, included debridement and the removal of loose bodies.
Freeman sustained a significant ankle sprain during the 2024 postseason, which visibly affected his performance on the field. The injury forced him to miss critical time during the National League Championship Series (NLCS) and limited his mobility in subsequent games.
Despite the setback, Freeman managed a remarkable recovery during the break between the NLCS and the World Series, regaining enough strength to deliver one of the season’s most memorable moments. His historic walk-off grand slam in Game 1 against the Yankees was a testament to his resilience and skill, even while not at full capacity.
A durable star
Known for his remarkable durability, Freeman played 147 games in the 2024 season and has appeared in at least 159 games each year from 2021 to 2023. His reliability has made him one of the most consistent players in Major League Baseball, earning him a reputation as a cornerstone of the Dodgers‘ lineup.
Recovery timeline
According to the Dodgers organization, Freeman is expected to resume baseball activities during spring training. With months to recover, the team is optimistic about his return to full health, ensuring he will be ready to contribute at his usual elite level in the 2025 season.
Freeman’s surgery marks an important step toward a fresh start for both the player and the Dodgers, who are looking to bounce back after falling short in the 2024 postseason. Fans will be eager to see Freeman back in action, fully healed and ready to lead the team in their pursuit of another championship.
As one of baseball’s most reliable stars, Freeman’s return will undoubtedly bolster the Dodgers‘ chances in the upcoming season, reaffirming his vital role both on and off the field.
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The million-dollar question for the World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers is how willing they are to shell out big bucks in order to keep the players who gave them Fall Classic glory, or better invest that money in new faces that are on display in the tempting free agency showcase.
Well, it seems that the solution for the Angels is a mixture of both, and their priorities are the key players in the season and the feat against the New York Yankees, while making specific selections in the market to shore up the team for next season.
The signing of pitcher Blake Snell is proof of the latter, however, in Chavez Ravine there is still a pending issue, the definition of whether Teoscar Hernandez will stay or go.
Teoscar has increased his value and he knows it
The Dominican outfielder has said he wants to stay, but decided to explore other avenues to renew his value, and at this point the Dodgers saw the serious possibility of losing him. He is a key player who not only proved his worth defensively in the outfield, where Tommy Edman, Andy Pages and James Outman are already waiting for him, but also a power that is not negligible offensively with his 33 home runs and a batting average of .272/.339/.501.
In the rumors of the Big Top, there are many testimonies that affirm that Teoscar Hernandez will stay with the Dodgers next season and that it is only necessary to finalize the details of a sure renewal. But what are those ‘small details’?
Two very tempting possibilities
To begin with, Teoscar is looking for a multi-year contract and of course a salary improvement that exceeds the $23.5 million ($8.5 million deferred until 2030-39) per year of his annual contract that has already concluded, and surely this will not be a problem with the numbers he boasts, however, there is already another firm bidder to acquire the services of the Dominican: the Boston Red Sox, who have him as a second option if Juan Soto decides to stay with the Yankees or go to another team.
What is a fact is that the most recent winner of the Home Run Derby has firm options that consider him essential and both are very tempting. Will he fall off the tightrope on the Fenway Park side or the Chavez Ravine side?
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