Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images

Freddie Freeman Missing Monday's Game With Bizarre Injury

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Mar 31, 2025 10:36 PM ET

Freddie Freeman is out of action for the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.

The Dodgers left Freeman off Monday's lineup card in the first matchup of a three-game series against his former team, the Atlanta Braves. Enrique Hernandez, who missed the last three games due to an illness, will start at first base instead.

According to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya, Freeman re-aggravated the surgically repaired right ankle that caused him to miss the Dodgers' two Tokyo Series games to start the season. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he's day-to-day and unavailable for Monday.

The flare-up occurred during a routine task off the diamond. Roberts said Freeman had a "mishap" entering his home shower.

Last year, Freeman played through the injured ankle to lead the Dodgers to a championship. The eight-time All-Star hit four World Series home runs, including the first walk-off Grand Slam in Fall Classic history.

Along with the sprained ankle, Freeman also played through a broken rib cartilage.

"I gave myself to the game, to the field," Freeman said after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the World Series. "I did everything I could to get onto that field. And that's why this is really, really sweet. I'm proud of the fact that I gave everything I could to this team and I left it all out there."

DENVER, CO - APRIL 9: Freddie Freeman #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers bats in the eighth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on April 9, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)

In December, Freeman underwent surgery to remove loose bodies in his right ankle. After sitting out the 2025 season's opening games, the 2020 NL MVP returned to go yard in back-to-back wins over the Detroit Tigers.

Freeman has played all 162 games in two of his 16 MLB seasons and missed just seven games from 2021 to 2023. However, the 35-year-old probably won't be an Iron Man in 2025.

A stacked Dodgers squad is off to a 5-0 start while seeking their 13th straight playoff appearance. They are likely far more concerned about Freeman being healthy in October than in March.

Even when Freeman has no shower incidents, Roberts could rest the Silver Slugger more often. But hopefully Freeman will avoid any more shower mishaps and return later this week.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: