MLB Playoffs: Dodgers All-Star returns early after suffering possible season-ending injury

The Los Angeles Dodgers played the final weekend of the regular season without Freddie Freeman after the All-Star first baseman sprained his ankle in the game against the San Diego Padres on September 26th.

Unbeknownst to fans, Freeman was told at the time of the injury that he would need 4 to 6 weeks to recover.

Ten days later, Freeman was not only on the Dodgers' roster for their National League Division Series match against the San Diego Padres. He was in the starting line-up.

Freeman was added to Los Angeles' lineup at the last minute in Game 1 of their NLDS rematch against San Diego Padres starter Dylan Cease. A 4-6 week schedule could have – and perhaps should have – ended his season. Instead, he could start for the Dodgers in the postseason.

Freeman will bat third and play first base. Freeman was an All-Star for the eighth time in his career this season, hitting 22 home runs, driving in 89 and hitting .282/.378/.476 for the NL West champion Dodgers.

Two years ago, the Padres (93-69) eliminated the Dodgers (98-64) from the NLDS. That year, San Diego finished second in the NL West, but won eight of 13 regular-season games against Los Angeles.

The Dodgers have struggled with injuries all season. In addition to Freeman's ankle, shortstop Miguel Rojas has a torn left adductor muscle that caused him to miss most of September due to injury. Like Freeman, Rojas is in the lineup for Game 1.

Pitcher Clayton Kershaw had little chance of being part of the Dodgers' postseason plans after being without a live hitter for weeks because of a bone spur in his left big toe. On Saturday, the Dodgers officially ruled him out of October contention.

More news: Dodgers News: LA leaves Clayton Kershaw from NLDS roster

The Padres also recently suffered an injury setback. Joe Musgrove started Game 2 of their Wild Card series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday, which the Padres won 5-4. But Musgrove had to leave the game early due to an elbow injury and was not on San Diego's roster for the NLDS.

On Friday, Musgrove was not only out for the remainder of the postseason, he will also likely miss all of 2025 after being recommended for Tommy John surgery.

More news: MLB playoffs: Padres pitcher to undergo season-ending surgery

Freeman's ankle may not hold in place with a combination of tape and glue, but even at not quite full strength, it's good enough that he's willing to give it a try. Whether this decision turns out to be the right one will only become clear later.