Freddie Freeman Update: Dave Roberts "doesn't anticipate" superstar's return during Padres series
LA Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is not expected to return for the ongoing road series against the San Diego Padres as he continues to be on family emergency leave, manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.
Freeman missed his first game of the season against the Houston Astros last week after hurrying out of the Dodgers' clubhouse following a win over the San Francisco Giants.
He is currently with his family and son Maximus, who has come down with an infection following the MLB All-Star Game. Freeman's wife Chelsea informed fans on social media that their son was suffering from transient synovitis. He was subsequently taken to the ER and discharged on Friday morning.
“He’s still kind of in it with Max,” Roberts said. “I don’t see him coming back for this series and we have the off day after this series and we’ll revisit. To be quite honest, I haven’t even broached that subject of him coming back, I just don’t feel it’s right.”
The Dodgers placed Freeman on the Emergency Family List and called up Hunter Feduccia from AAA Oklahoma City.
"He’s gonna get back and obviously the last few days, he hasn’t been here,” Roberts said at the time. “Emotionally, it’s been certainly hard for him. He needs to be with his family."
The two-game series at Petco Park ends on Wednesday, after which the club will head to Oakland for a three-game series before returning home on Aug. 5 for a series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
Freddie Freeman's wife shares emergency situation regarding their son Maximus
According to Freddie Freeman's wife Chelsea, their son Maximus "stopped eating or drinking and was very lethargic" last Thursday. He was then taken to the ER, where Freddie joined them after the game.
"It took 2 attempts to get IV in and Max was so brave he didn’t even cry. They ran a ton of tests and bloodwork panels that thank God they all came back negative. No infection or active virus. They hydrated him and gave him anti inflammatory medicine through IV. Took X-rays and ultrasound," Chelsea wrote in her story on social media.
She added that Maximus' symptoms were consistent with transient synovitis, a short-term inflammation of the lining of the hip joint that causes pain and limping.
The family asked for well wishes and prayers for Maximus on social media. Freeman's teammates, fans, and others across the baseball world also sent their wishes during this difficult time for the family.