Freddie Freeman—the Los Angeles Dodgers’ reigning World Series MVP—won’t be suiting up for Monday night’s game against the Atlanta Braves—the team he spent 12 years with. That’s not your run-of-the-mill sports injury story. Freeman tweaked his right ankle in his own shower, of all places. That’s another setback for the slugger, who had surgery on that same ankle in December after initially hurting it in late September.
Despite the pain, he pushed through the playoffs last season. That’s when he delivered some of the most unforgettable performances of his career—including four home runs in four straight World Series games and a walk-off grand slam against the New York Yankees in Game 1. That historic slam was one for the books.
What Happened in the Shower?
Details about the incident remain vague, but Ardaya reports that Freeman had a bit of a mishap at home over the weekend. That “mishap” has apparently made his surgically repaired ankle issue worse. That’s a concern that’s been lingering since last fall.
Freeman’s status is day-to-day for now. We’ve seen him deal with off-field health issues before this season. He missed the Dodgers’ season opener in Japan because of rib discomfort. That was just one of those things.
Freeman’s Hot Start to 2025
Freeman has been on fire to start the 2025 campaign. In just 12 at-bats, he’s already hit two home runs. That kind of power and consistency is what made him the World Series MVP last year. The Dodgers are off to a perfect 5-0 start heading into their three-game series against the struggling Braves (0-4). Freeman’s absence from that lineup is a big blow to them.
That hot start is a testament to Freeman’s ability to bounce back from setbacks. And the Dodgers are going to need that from him if they want to keep their winning streak going.
Why This Injury Is Concerning?
Freeman’s right ankle has been a problem since September. He made it back for the playoffs but it was bothering him during big moments of the postseason. The offseason surgery was to fix the issue but this latest mishap raises the question if the ankle is fully healed or if it will be an ongoing issue throughout the season.
For a player who relies so much on his lower body for hitting and fielding, even a minor tweak can be big. Fans and analysts will be watching Freeman’s progress over the next few days.
Dodgers vs. Braves: A Big Game Without Freeman
Monday’s game against the Braves is a big one for Freeman who spent 12 years in Atlanta before joining the Dodgers in 2022. Facing his former team is always a big deal but this time Freeman won’t be playing. Instead the Dodgers will need others to step up as they try to go 5-0.
The Braves are 0-4 to start the season and with Freeman out they might have an even bigger advantage but baseball is unpredictable and injuries like this only add to the drama.