Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Announces Unfortunate Freddie Freeman News Before Dodgers-Cubs

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated Mar 18, 2025 6:27 AM ET

The Los Angeles Dodgers are without star first baseman Freddie Freeman in Tuesday's Tokyo Series game against the Chicago Cubs.

The former National League Most Valuable Player was scratched from the lineup just an hour before the Cubs game. The reason behind the Dodgers’ decision was not initially known but it was later revealed that the 35-year-old Freeman was removed from the lineup because of an upper-body issue.

"Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was scratched from today’s lineup with left rib discomfort," read Los Angeles' post on X.

Freeman, who won the 2025 World Series MVP after starring for the Dodgers in their Fall Classic victory against the New York Yankees, also went under the knife in the offseason to address a right ankle injury.

In 2024, Freeman hit 282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBIs in 147 games. He stepped up in an unforgettable way in the Yankees series, batting .300/.364/1.000 with four home runs and 12 RBIs in only five games.

With Freeman unavailable in the first leg of the Tokyo Series, the Dodgers elected to go with Enrique Hernandez at first base.

Apart from Freeman, the Dodgers are also missing star outfielder Mookie Betts, who's already flown back to Los Angeles after getting ruled out for the Cubs series due to an illness.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: