Freddie Freeman, Xander Bogaerts Leave NLDS Game 2 Due To Injuries

The Padres hit six house runs in what was a rout of a 10-2 victory in Sport 2 of their NLDS matchup with the Dodgers, knotting the collection 1-1 because the scene shifts to San Diego for Video games 3 and 4 on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Neither membership emerged from Sport 2 unscathed, nevertheless, as each Freddie Freeman (left ankle discomfort) and Xander Bogaerts (hamstring cramp) made early exits on account of damage.

Freeman’s exit is the much less stunning of the 2, as the primary baseman’s makes an attempt to play by means of each a bone bruise and a sprain of his left ankle has grow to be one of many collection’ chief storylines.  After going 2-for-5 and even stealing a base within the Dodgers’ Sport 1 victory, Freeman went 0-for-2 tonight earlier than he was changed within the discipline heading into the highest of the sixth.  Freeman was due as much as the plate once more within the backside of the sixth and L.A. was trailing solely 3-1 after 5 innings, but he was clearly not feeling properly sufficient to proceed taking part in.  Put up-game, supervisor Dave Roberts informed Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Occasions (X link) and different reporters that the staff would know extra about Freeman’s standing after understanding tomorrow throughout the membership’s off-day.

Freeman suffered what was initially identified as simply an ankle sprain on September 26, within the Dodgers’ fourth-last recreation of the common season.  X-rays have been unfavourable, however Freeman revealed to reporters that the mixture of the sprain and the bone bruise would usually sideline him for 4-to-6 weeks if this was the common season.  Nevertheless, on simply eight full days of relaxation, Freeman returned to the sector in Sport 1, although it wasn’t clear till only a few hours earlier than recreation time if the primary baseman would certainly be able to go.

Bogaerts seemingly suffered his damage whereas hitting a foul ball throughout his plate look within the eighth inning, but the shortstop seemingly seemed no worse for put on in hitting a solo homer.  The Padres ended the body with a 7-1 lead, which maybe gave the membership a bit of extra flexibility to interchange Bogaerts within the discipline with Tyler Wade within the high of the eighth.

Monday is an off-day within the collection, so Freeman and Bogaerts will get some built-in time to recuperate earlier than play resumes.  Whereas Bogaerts’ cramp doesn’t appear overly severe, Wade is the pure alternative at shortstop if Bogaerts isn’t prepared for Tuesday’s Sport 3.  If Bogaerts can hit however not discipline, the Padres can use Wade at shortstop, Luis Arraez at first base, and Bogaerts might conceivably act because the designated hitter.

Shohei Ohtani’s presence within the DH spot offers the Dodgers no such flexibility with Freeman, as he’d should play first base if he’s to be a part of the staff’s beginning lineup.  If he can’t begin, Freeman would due to this fact seemingly be restricted to pinch-hit obligation, which then necessitates a bigger shuffle of the Dodgers’ lineup.  Clearly shedding Freeman below any circumstance is unhealthy information for Los Angeles, however shedding a key left-handed bat will hamper the Dodgers in opposition to Sport 3 starter Michael King (a right-hander), and L.A. is missing in left-handed bench depth.

As a reminder, groups could make damage replacements to a collection roster, however at a major longer-term price.  Changed gamers wouldn’t solely be out for the remainder of the NLDS, however additionally they wouldn’t have the ability to take part within the NLCS if their staff was to advance to the subsequent spherical.  This rule is definitely weighing on the Dodgers specifically as they work out Freeman’s standing, although it might appear as if Freeman must have significantly re-aggravated his damage for L.A. to take away him from the roster altogether.