Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman underwent surgery on the right ankle he injured at the end of the regular season and played on throughout the postseason, the team announced Thursday.
The procedure involved “debridement and the removal of loose bodies,” according to the Dodgers’ statement. Freeman is expected to be ready for baseball activities by spring training. However, his offseason training might be affected as he recovers from the procedure.
Earlier today, Dodger first baseman Freddie Freeman underwent surgery on his right ankle consisting of debridement and the removal of loose bodies. The surgery was performed by Dr. Kenneth Jung at Kerlan Jobe in Los Angeles. Freeman is expected to be able to participate in…
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) December 5, 2024
Freeman, 35, sustained the injury while running out a ground ball and trying to avoid a tag during the Dodgers’ Sept. 26 win over the San Diego Padres. Los Angeles clinched the National League West with that victory and finished with the best record in MLB on its way to winning the World Series.
The 15-year veteran missed the Dodgers’ final three regular-season games while receiving treatment on the ankle. He returned to play in the NLDS opener versus the Padres, despite the ankle requiring hours of pregame treatment, batting practice and infield work and clearly affecting him on the field. Freeman was clearly limited in the early rounds of the playoffs, but he played in 13 of the Dodgers’ 16 postseason games.
In addition to a sprain, Freeman was dealing with a bone bruise in the right ankle.
“They told me this is a four- to six-week [injured list] stint, and I’m going to try to do this in a week and play,” Freeman told the Los Angeles Times’ Mike DiGiovanna before the postseason began. “I’m not going to be hindering, I don’t think. There are certain plays, like slowing down and stuff. … I’ve never sprained an ankle, and they say your first ankle sprain is the worst.”
Despite the injury — and dealing with broken rib cartilage — Freeman hit four home runs and recorded a 1.364 OPS in the World Series on his way to being named MVP of the five-game set. He was the first player ever to hit a home run in each of the first four games of a World Series, and he tied a record with 12 RBI in the five games
During the 2024 regular season, his third with the Dodgers, Freeman appeared in 147 games and batted .282 with an .854 OPS, 35 doubles, 22 home runs and 89 RBI.
