ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – Former Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman revealed Thursday that his 3-year-old son, Maximus, is suffering from a rare neurological disorder.

Freeman made the announcement about his son’s condition in a joint statement with his wife, Chelsea, on Instagram.

“After many tests, Max is battling a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome. A rare neurological condition that is especially rare in children,” the Freemans said in the post. “These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives.”

The couple says their son has improved over the last 48 hours and has been taken off his breathing tube and ventilator.

“Please continue to cover Maximus and our family in your prayers. We really appreciate and have felt all of your support,” the Freemans said.

According to the Mayo Clinic, Guillain-Barré syndrome is a condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves. It can cause weakness, numbness or paralysis. There is no known cure, but most people recover completely.

Beloved by many in Atlanta and all across Georgia, Freeman played for the Atlanta Braves for 12 seasons, making his MLB debut with the team in 2010. In his final season with the Braves, Freeman helped the team win the 2021 World Series over the Houston Astros.

Freeman is now the first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He remains on the Dodgers’ family emergency list, missing the last four games, according to media reports.