Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman late scratch in Tokyo with rib discomfort

The Los Angeles Dodgers will open the regular season without the World Series MVP in the lineup.

Minutes before first pitch at the Tokyo Dome against the Chicago Cubs, the Dodgers announced first baseman Freddie Freeman had been scratched from the lineup with left rib discomfort.

Freeman was initially in the lineup but was replaced at first base by Kiké Hernández. Hernández was replaced in left field by Michael Conforto while right fielder Teoscar Hernández took Freeman’s spot in the batting order.

Freeman injured his ankle running the bases in the last week of the 2024 season but still had a World Series for the ages. The 35-year-old hit a walk-off Grand Slam in Game 1 and then homered in the first four games of the series to tie the all-time record. In total, he had 12 RBIs in the five-game series, also tying the all-time record.

According to The Athletic, Freeman had been receiving treatment for his ankle injury during spring training but did play in the Dodgers’ two exhibition games against Japanese opponents over the weekend.

The Dodgers are also playing this two-game without shortstop Mookie Betts, who is recovering from an illness that left him dehydrated.

You can watch the Dodgers and Cubs live from Tokyo on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

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