Freddie Freeman Undergoes Ankle Surgery; Expected to Return by Spring Training

The Dodgers announced today that first baseman Freddie Freeman has undergone surgery on his right ankle to address debridement and the removal of loose bodies. While the team expects him to be ready for baseball activities during Spring Training, the impact on his offseason routine remains uncertain.

Freeman's ankle injury has been a significant storyline over the past few months. He sustained a sprain in late September during one of the final regular season games of the 2024 campaign, which kept his status in the spotlight throughout the postseason. Despite being hampered by the injury, Freeman remained on the Dodgers' roster as they progressed through each playoff round, often playing through visible pain.

With Shohei Ohtani occupying the designated hitter role, Freeman had to play in the field, further exacerbating his discomfort. During the postseason, Freeman disclosed that he was dealing with a bone bruise in addition to the sprain. He mentioned that he would have likely missed four to six weeks if the injury had occurred during the regular season. Adding to his woes, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that Freeman suffered broken costal cartilage in his sixth rib at the onset of the postseason, an injury that typically requires a lengthy recovery period.

​As Freeman prepares for his return, the Dodgers and their fans will be hopeful that their star first baseman can fully recover and contribute at his usual high level. His resilience and determination to play through significant injuries have demonstrated his commitment to the team, and all eyes will be on his progress as Spring Training approaches.