Freeman (ankle) on bench in Game 4 vs. Mets

NEW YORK -- With Freddie Freeman continuing to nurse a badly sprained right ankle, the Dodgers decided to keep the star first baseman out of the starting lineup against the Mets on Thursday night in National League Championship Series Game 4 at Citi Field.

It’s the second time this postseason that Freeman has been forced to miss a start. Freeman sustained the injury on Sept. 26. It usually has a recovery time of four to six weeks.

"He's obviously ailing, and he's doing everything he can to stay on the field," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "With the back-to-back games and one tomorrow, just trying to make a decision on what puts him in the best position for the games going forward.

“Just tonight, seemed easy. Obviously, he wants to be in there. But I think having him not make the start, run out there, on and off the field, but be ready for a big spot tonight, made a lot of sense."

The initial plan was for Freeman to play three consecutive games in New York. But toward the end of Game 3 on Wednesday night, Freeman appeared to be laboring more than usual after making a couple of tough plays at first base. Freeman was taken out for a defensive replacement once the Dodgers took a sizable lead en route to a 2-1 advantage in the best-of-seven series.

After the game, Roberts said he called Freeman to let him know they weren’t going to play him in Game 4, allowing him to stay off his ankle. The decision was made easier with left-hander Jose Quintana on the mound for the Mets, giving Chris Taylor and Andy Pages an opportunity to play against the southpaw. Freeman is expected back in the lineup on Friday for Game 5.

“I know how much he’s going through to stay on the field,” Roberts said. “So I think that he understood that it’s in his best interests … not starting tonight’s game. He took it like a professional.”

Freeman has drawn praise from everyone in the organization as he plays through the severely sprained right ankle. Against the Padres in the NLDS, Freeman’s ankle was heavily taped. His mobility has been compromised.

Still, Freeman has been a presence in the Dodgers’ lineup, hitting .259 with one RBI in 27 postseason at-bats. Having Max Muncy, who homered in Game 3, available to play first base, also made the decision easier for the Dodgers to sit Freeman.

“I hope it’s a late arrival to the ballpark,” Roberts said. “As a player, when you’re preparing for a game, there’s anxiety that goes into, like, the next day. And so, hopefully, that kind of anxiety has kind of been tempered. And you can kind of lock in from the fifth inning and be on in a spot.”

Second baseman Gavin Lux, who is dealing with a hip injury, was also left off the Dodgers’ starting lineup against the lefty Quintana. That was always part of the Dodgers’ plan heading into the three games in New York.