Freddie Freeman's knee soreness and recent offensive struggles have given the Los Angeles Dodgers another issue to monitor.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are approaching the postseason with another important lineup question to monitor.
Freddie Freeman's right knee soreness has become a concern for Los Angeles, particularly as the veteran first baseman works to regain his form heading into October.
Freeman was held out of the lineup Wednesday before the Dodgers' scheduled off-day Thursday, giving him additional time to recover.
The club had already attempted to manage his workload during the previous homestand, including giving him two days away from the field and using him as the designated hitter in an effort to limit the amount of time he spent playing defense.
The Dodgers could continue taking a cautious approach when they begin their series against the Miami Marlins on Friday.
Freeman could return to the lineup, but Los Angeles is also considering giving him another day of rest. That would provide him with three consecutive days away from game action and allow the Dodgers to prioritize his health with the postseason drawing closer.
For a player as important to the middle of the Dodgers' lineup, getting Freeman healthy may matter more than his immediate availability for every September game.
The timing is especially notable because Freeman has also struggled at the plate recently.
He entered September with just three hits in 22 at-bats and only one extra-base hit during that stretch. His recent power production has been particularly limited, with only one home run over his previous 53 games.
Those numbers do not reflect the type of offensive consistency Freeman has provided Los Angeles throughout his career, making his physical condition something worth monitoring closely.
The Dodgers have not pointed to a single incident that caused the knee soreness. Instead, the issue appears to be something the club is managing as the season progresses. Manager Dave Roberts has indicated that the discomfort may have contributed to some of Freeman's recent struggles offensively.
That connection makes his recovery even more important.
A healthy Freeman gives the Dodgers one of their most reliable hitters and a veteran presence in the heart of the lineup. If the knee continues to affect his swing or overall mobility, Los Angeles could face another challenge at a time when it is attempting to get its roster into optimal condition for the postseason.
The Dodgers are already navigating Shohei Ohtani's absence after the two-way star was placed on the 15-day injured list. That makes Freeman's status even more significant.
With Ohtani unavailable, Los Angeles cannot afford to lose another major offensive contributor for an extended period. The club has enough depth to withstand individual absences during the regular season, but the equation changes once the postseason begins.
Freeman does not necessarily need to play every remaining game. The Dodgers' priority should be having him at full strength when the games become most important.
That could mean additional rest days throughout September, particularly if his knee continues to bother him. The organization has enough time to manage his workload before October, making this an opportunity to be proactive rather than reactive.
Freeman's recent numbers are certainly worth watching, but his health is the bigger story.
If the extra time off allows his knee to settle down and his swing to return to form, the Dodgers could have one of their most important offensive pieces back at full strength when the postseason arrives.
