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Join Telegram ChannelLos Angeles Dodgers star Freddie Freeman will spend time focusing on his family.
The team granted him a leave of absence Friday and the first baseman returned to Southern California to be with his 3-year-old son who is battling an illness. The Dodgers were in Houston Friday to open a three-game series against the Astros, but Freeman was scratched from Friday night's lineup.
Freddie's wife Chelsea recently opened up about their son Maximus' health. In a social media post, Chelsea revealed that the three-year-old boy was suffering from transient synovitis.
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Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman #5 runs around the bases after his home run in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Dodger Stadium on June 16, 2024, in Los Angeles, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
According to the National Institutes of Health, the temporary condition can cause inflammation of the hip and typically affects young boys. It can make it difficult to sit, stand or walk. Maximus wouldn't eat for a few days, Chelsea said.
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Chelsea noted that Maximus initially had a viral infection earlier this month when the family was in Texas for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.
The Freeman family received good news when Maximus was released from the hospital on Wednesday, but there was always a possibility he would return.[I]”If he doesn't improve in 48 hours he will have to go back to the hospital,” Chelsea wrote.
Freddie Freeman, #5 of the Los Angeles Dodgers, hits a double in the fourth inning during the 2024 Seoul Series game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome on Sunday, March 17, 2024, in Seoul, South Korea. (Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
“I just know something made him think he needed to come home. He's trying to be there for the team and he's trying to be there for his family. But when your kid's going through tough times, it's hard to be there, and that's normal,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.
“He certainly had a heavy heart the last few days, and I just pray that Max recovers well and makes a full recovery.”
National League All-Star Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers leaves the field after being struck out against the American League All-Stars during the third inning of an MLB All-Star baseball game at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tuesday, July 19, 2022. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)
Roberts added that the team continues to consider removing the eight-time All-Star from the active roster and placing him on the family leave list. If Freeman is placed on the family leave list, he would be required to sit out at least three games.
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Freeman, the 2020 National League MVP, has hit 16 homers and driven in 67 runs in 104 games this season. Cavan Biggio replaced Freeman at first base Friday.
The Dodgers entered Saturday with a 62-43 record and hold a 6.5-game lead over the second-place San Diego Padres in the NL West.
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