DENVER (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman didn't make the trip to Colorado for a three-game series against the Rockies to close out the regular season so he could rest a sore ankle. The All-Star slugger left Thursday's NL West-clinching game in the seventh inning after rolling his right foot trying to avoid a tag at first base by San Diego's Luis Arráez. Freeman was on crutches and in a walking boot following the game.
In addition, the Dodgers left shortstop Miguel Rojas at home due to a torn adductor. “Obviously, traveling to altitude didn’t make sense,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Friday before the start of the series. Roberts can't envision a scenario where the Dodgers don't have Freeman hitting third or fourth in the lineup come the National League Division Series next weekend.
Freeman is hitting .282 this season with 22 homers and 89 RBIs. “I mean, he’s just such a warrior,” Roberts said.
“He's going to do anything he can.” Roberts said he, too, is rounding back into form following the Dodgers' NL West-clinching win Thursday over San Diego. “I’m tired.
I don’t feel hungover, which is good,” Roberts said. “I feel good. I’m excited that tonight, it’s not like a do-or-die game.
That feels really relieving, actually.” The Dodgers have secured a first-round bye in the postseason but they're trying to fend off the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL's top seed. “I think it’s more of just the idea of letting thing.