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Alden Gonzalez, ESPN Staff Writer
LOS ANGELES — Freddie Freeman exited Game 2 of the National League Division Series after five innings with what the Los Angeles Dodgers described as continued discomfort in his sprained right ankle.
“We had no other choice,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday’s 10-2 loss to the rival San Diego Padres that knotted the series. “He’s doing everything he can. I don’t know what his status will be like for Game 3, but for tonight, we had no other option.”
Freeman sprained his right ankle while attempting to avoid a tag on Sept. 26 and spent eight days rehabbing the injury in hopes of playing in the postseason. He seemed confident he’d be able to do so when he met with the media Friday. But he said he woke up Saturday feeling uncommonly sore, prompting many of his teammates to think he would not be an option for Game 1.
Freeman ultimately played in Game 1, delivering two hits and even stealing a base.
The Dodgers placed him in the lineup again for Game 2, with Roberts calling it a “much easier” decision with Freeman having a better sense for his capabilities. But after two at-bats — a strikeout and a lineout to deep right field — Freeman was replaced at first base by Max Muncy and in the lineup by Enrique Hernandez, who took Muncy’s spot at third base.
The Dodgers will continue with that alignment if Freeman isn’t available at other points of this series. Freeman will have an off day Monday before the series shifts to San Diego for Tuesday’s Game 3.
“It’s sort of where we’re at,” Roberts said. “It is not ideal. It is of concern. It’s day to day, and there’s nothing we can do about it. So, we have a workout tomorrow evening and then we’ll just kind of see where he’s at with treatment. And then once we get to Tuesday, we’ll see how he feels, and then we’ll do the same thing for Game 4.
“Again, it’s not ideal. But I think this is what we’ll have to be dealing with for the duration.”