Freeman scratched from LA's Game 4 lineup
SAN DIEGO -- Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, who has been battling a badly sprained right ankle, was scratched from L.A.'s lineup for Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the Padres.
"He just had overall body soreness," manager Dave Roberts said after the Dodgers' 8-0 win Wednesday night. "The ankle, the side. And we had a good conversation. And I just don't feel good about putting a player in there when he's not at his best because of the name on the back of his jersey."
The Dodgers put out a lineup Wednesday afternoon with Freeman in his customary No. 3 spot and manning first base, but he was replaced at first by Max Muncy about two hours before first pitch, with Kiké Hernández moving from center field to replace Muncy at third and Chris Taylor taking over in center.
"Like I said, I was day to day. Just happy to get a Game 5," Freeman said Wednesday night. "Had a full day's rest today. Didn't even try to run on it. [Friday], we'll get to the field, do treatment and see how it goes."
Freeman started the first three games of the NLDS, but he exited Game 2 on Sunday night with right ankle soreness and was removed for a pinch-runner in Game 3 on Tuesday night after singling in the eighth inning with the Dodgers down a run.
After spraining his ankle on Sept. 26 against the Padres, Freeman was told the injury would typically require a four- to six-week IL stint. He returned to game action a little more than a week later and has been active as long as the Dodgers deemed him to be effective in spite of playing through pain.