Dodgers First Baseman Freddie Freeman Takes Leave to Care for Sick Son
Freddie Freeman, the first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, has been granted leave by the team to be with his sick 3-year-old son, Maximus. Maximus was taken to the emergency room on Wednesday after experiencing extreme pain and hip discomfort, which is believed to be caused by transient synovitis. According to Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, Maximus developed the illness from a viral infection he had during the All-Star Game.
Freeman met his son and wife at the hospital following the Dodgers’ loss to the Giants. The situation has understandably taken a toll on Freeman, as he tries to balance being there for his family and being present for his team. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed his support for Freeman, acknowledging the difficulty of the situation. He said, “When your child is going through things, it’s just hard to be present and rightfully so. He certainly had a heavy heart the last few days, and I just pray that Max is going to recover well and have a full recovery.”
While Freeman initially traveled with the team to Houston for a series against the Astros, he left before Friday’s game to be with his son. The Dodgers lost the game 5-0. Chelsea Freeman shared on Instagram that Maximus was discharged from the hospital, but if his condition doesn’t improve in 48 hours, he may need to be readmitted. She also revealed that Maximus was unable to sit, stand, or walk for three days and had no appetite.
If Freeman is placed on the family leave list, he would miss at least three games. Roberts doesn’t expect Freeman to be available for the current series and will reassess his availability when the team returns to the West Coast for their next series in San Diego.
The health and well-being of a player’s family are of utmost importance, and it is commendable that the Dodgers are supportive of Freeman during this challenging time. It serves as a reminder that professional athletes, despite their talents and fame, face personal struggles like anyone else. We hope for Maximus’s swift recovery and for Freeman’s return to the team when the time is right.
