Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman wants to play with no restrictions.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, understandably, wants to take the future Hall of Famer’s recovery slowly.
Freeman played through a significant ankle injury last season, though you wouldn’t have known it watching his World Series highlights. The eight-time All-Star earned World Series MVP after hitting .300 with four home runs, 12 RBI, and one game-ending grand slam.
The good news: Freeman underwent ankle surgery in December and has already made his spring training debut. However, Freeman (and, likely, Dodgers fans) wants more, and Roberts appears reluctant to grant that wish.
Speaking on Thursday’s DodgersHeads live stream, Dodgers reporter Jeff Spiegel noted the back-and-forth between player and manager.
“It’s kind of funny,” Spiegel said.
“I think part of it is that Dave’s in a tough spot,” Spiegel added. “I think Dave is trying to protect some information, and he’s not trying to set unrealistic expectations of [Freeman].”
Barring an unexpected setback, Freeman should start at first base against the Chicago Cubs on March 18. Shohei Ohtani’s presence means it’s unlikely Freeman sees time as a designated hitter in either Tokyo Series game.
Spiegel and co-host Blake Williams suggested Freeman may have more off days than in years past. The 35-year-old Freeman played 147 games last year, his fewest in an entire season since 2017; Freeman played all 60 games during the 2020 pandemic season.
For now, Dodgers fans spending the spring in Arizona may not see Freeman too often in Cactus League games. We get the sense they’ll be totally fine with that if it eventually means a third World Series title in six years.