The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Freddie Freeman from the restricted list on Monday after the star first baseman missed eight games to be with his ailing son.
Playing first base and batting third, Freeman went 1-for-4 as the Dodgers topped the visiting Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 later Monday night. The crowd gave him an ovation in the first inning as he came to the plate, and he waved and tapped his chest in appreciation. Freeman appeared to wipe away a tear, then struck out in the at-bat.
Freeman left the team before a July 26-28 road series against the Houston Astros because his 3-year-old son, Maximus, became ill and was hospitalized. Freeman went on the family emergency list on July 27 and was transferred to the restricted list on Saturday.
Maximus Freeman, after being in intensive care for eight days because of Guillain-Barre syndrome, a rare neurological disorder, returned home on Sunday, Freddie and Chelsea Freeman announced on social media.
Before the game, an emotional Freeman told reporters in Los Angeles, “It’s a good thing I’m here, because it means things are trending better. Chelsea and I, it’s been a long week. No one should have to go through this, especially a 3-year-old. I don’t know how many times Chelsea and I said we wish we could switch.”
Guillain-Barre is a rare disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own nerves, often causing numbness or paralysis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Freeman said it took just four days for the paralysis to reach his son’s shoulders, affecting his breathing. Maximus had to be ventilated and given a feeding tube.
The boy is not fully recovered yet, but he improved enough to be allowed to leave the hospital.
“I’m sure I’m going to be crying a lot more throughout the day,” Freeman said, “so bear with me. But there’s no words to put into what the Dodgers have meant to us and our family over these nine days.”
To make room for Freeman on the roster, the Los Angeles designated infielder Cavan Biggio for assignment.
Biggio, 29, was acquired in a June 12 trade with the Toronto Blue Jays. He hit .192 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 30 games for the Dodgers, leaving his season stats at .197 with five homers and 19 RBIs in 74 games.
The Dodgers also placed right-handed reliever Blake Treinen on the 15-day IL because of left hip discomfort and activated right-hander Brusdar Graterol from the 60-day IL.
Graterol, 25, has not yet pitched for Los Angeles this season due to inflammation in his pitching shoulder. He is 11-9 with a 2.80 career ERA in five seasons with the Minnesota Twins (2019) and Dodgers (2020-23).
Treinen, 36, is 5-3 with a 2.67 ERA in 34 relief appearances this year. He missed all of last season following right shoulder surgery.
–Field Level Media
