Star first baseman Freddie Freeman he left the Dodgers game against the Cardinals yesterday because of what was then called a sprained finger, but despite the x-rays coming back negative, the condition worsened overnight. As manager Dave Roberts told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times and other reporters, Freeman can’t handle the bat because of the inflammation. Freeman was out of today’s lineup and is still considered day-to-day, but is scheduled to undergo a CT scan on Monday.
Freeman’s loss will hurt a Dodgers club that has been without its top three players in just six games. Mookie Betts he is back on the injured list to rejoin Freeman again Shohei Ohtani top of last week’s list. Even if Betts just came back, though, losing Freeman’s .292/.391/.488 line will certainly have a big impact on the Dodgers’ offense no matter how long he’s out. With the Padres and Diamondbacks making quick gains in the hunt for the NL West title, Freeman’s extended absence could mean the Dodgers may have to falter in the pennant race without one of their best hitters.
Fortunately for the Dodgers, strengthening the system appears to be on the horizon. DiGiovanna notes that the club is expected to work on a defender Tommy Edman on the injured list tomorrow, and he can do the same with Max Muncy. Earlier reports suggested Muncy would not rejoin the lineup until the end of the week, but Roberts said (per The Athletic’s Fabian Ardaya) that the player has flown into LA to ensure he is available on Monday if needed.
Edman, 29, won’t help the club’s situation much at first, but the versatile player should improve the system in other areas. He was previously expected to play center field regularly for the club, but is likely to see more time in the infield due to the success of the small sample. Kevin Kiermaier he has been with the club since it was acquired from the Blue Jays. If Edman, Miguel Rojasagain Enrique Hernández can cover the left side of the infield while Gavin Lux manning second base, that would allow Muncy to serve as the club’s regular first baseman until Freeman is ready to return to the lineup.
The 33-year-old Muncy has been sidelined since mid-May with a minor injury but has had a solid start — a .223/.323/.475 slash line in 40 games good for a 117 wRC+ , along with his -2023. Edman, meanwhile, hasn’t played in the majors this year due to a lengthy rehabilitation from offseason wrist surgery, but the Dodgers still acquired him from the Cardinals in a three-way trade with the White Sox before last month’s deadline. Edman has a long record as a league average bat with excellent defense at multiple positions which will make him a valuable asset to the Dodgers if he is healthy.
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