Houston – Los Angeles Dodgers’ first baseman, Freddie Freeman, has decided to step away from the team temporarily to be with his family. This decision comes after his 3-year-old son, Maximus, was hospitalized earlier this week.
Freeman, who joined the team in Houston on Thursday and participated in his pregame routine on Friday, was eventually pulled from the lineup. Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts shared that Freeman will be returning to Los Angeles with no set timetable for his comeback.
Roberts acknowledged the emotional toll this situation has taken on Freeman, emphasizing the importance of family during difficult times. Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, took to Instagram to explain that Maximus had to be rushed to the emergency room due to hip inflammation caused by a viral infection contracted during their time in Texas for the MLB All-Star Game.
Despite the challenging circumstances, Freeman remained with the team until Friday when he finally returned home to support his family. The Dodgers opted not to make any roster changes in Freeman’s absence, playing one man short against the Houston Astros on Friday.
As the situation unfolds, the Dodgers have the option to utilize the Major League Baseball family medical emergency list, which allows players to take up to three days off to address urgent family matters. The team’s main priority now is Freeman’s well-being and his son’s swift recovery as they navigate through this challenging time.
Freeman’s dedication to both his team and his family highlights the balancing act that professional athletes often face when personal matters arise. The baseball community is rallying behind Freeman and his family, offering support and well wishes for Maximus’s healing process.