Los Angeles Dodgers” first baseman Freddie Freeman is recovering from his rib injury, according to Jack Harris of the L.A. Times. The 2024 World Series Most Valuable Player was held out of the season-opening series in Tokyo against the Chicago Cubs. The Dodgers won both games without him. It appears that the rib cartilage torn last October has healed, and Freeman will not need an MRI In fact, he will most likely be ready for the Dodgers domestic home opener against the Detroit Tigers.
Freddie Freeman said he hasn’t had any further issues with his rib, and feels confident that he was just working thru some scar-tissue build-up from where it had healed over the offseason
He said he progressed enough once the team got home last week that he didn’t need an MRI
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 24, 2025
The Wounded Warrior
The torn rib cartilage was just one of the painful interludes Freeman endured last season. Along with a family emergency, a broken finger, a twisted ankle that had to be surgically repaired in the off season, the 14-year veteran overcame it all to propel the Dodgers to a World Series victory over the New York Yankees. Freeman belted four home runs, 12 runs batted in, and had a batting average of .300 essentially on one leg in a story-book ending of a season.
Mookie on the Mend?
The Dodgers got a double shot of good news. Dodgers manager Dave revealed that shortstop Mookie Betts was able to keep food down today. Betts has been battling an unidentified virus for two weeks and did not play in the first two games of the season. Instead, he was sent home early from Japan in the hopes that he would recover more quickly. The illness has caused the three-time World Series Champion to lose almost thirty pounds. Betts is scheduled to play in the final exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels before the regular season resumes this week.
Are Injuries Inevitable?
Every team has injuries during the season. The Dodgers can only hope that whatever injuries occur will be less severe and the players recover quickly. Right now, it is so far, so good.
Main Photo Credits: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
