The Dodgers will be without first baseman Freddie Freeman for the time being after the pitcher granted leave on Friday to be with his sick 3-year-old son.
Freeman’s son, Maximus, was taken to the emergency room on Wednesday after developing what appeared to be temporary synovitis, which can cause severe pain and discomfort in the hip joint.
Freeman met with his son and wife, Chelsea, at the hospital the night the Dodgers lost to the Giants.
According to an Instagram post by Chelsea, Maximus contracted the disease after contracting the virus during the All-Star Game.
Freeman traveled with the team to Houston for the series opener against the Astros but returned home before Friday’s game, which the Dodgers lost 5-0.
“I’m sure something made him feel like he had to come home,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts told reporters. “… He’s trying to be here for the team and he’s trying to be here for his family, but it’s just hard and understandable to be there when your own kid is going through a really tough situation.”
“The last few days have certainly been traumatic for him and we wish Max nothing but good luck in his recovery and make a full recovery.”
Maximus was released from hospital on Wednesday, but Chelsea Freeman posted on Instagram that if he isn’t better within 48 hours he will need to go back to hospital.
Chelsea wrote on Instagram that Maximus had been unable to sit, stand or walk for three days and hadn’t eaten.
If Freeman is placed on the family leave list, he will miss at least three games.
“I don’t think he’ll play in this series,” Roberts said. “Once we get to the West Coast, [for the next series in San Diego]We will check after the holidays if it works.”
