2 hours agoLos Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman (ankle) played in his Cactus League debut on Thursday against the division-rival Colorado Rockies as the designated hitter with tape on his right ankle and expects to use the tape through the All-Star break, according to The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya. The tape on his ankle on Thursday wasn't as heavy as it was in the playoffs last fall, but it's an added precaution after he worked out for much of this spring without it. The 35-year-old veteran had surgery to remove loose bodies from his right ankle last December, but he's expected to be ready to go for Opening Day in Tokyo, Japan, on March 18 against the Chicago Cubs. Freeman initially struggled in the postseason last year after injuring his ankle late in the regular season, but the fact that he went off to win World Series MVP honors gives fantasy managers hope that his surgically repaired ankle won't give him problems in 2025. "It's good enough. I wish it felt like my left one. It was the first day I played with tape. I've been doing all my rehab stuff without tape because I didn't want to be relying on the tape. It felt a little weird running with the tape on, but I felt pretty good. I'm shooting to DH again Saturday and hopefully play (first base) Sunday," Freeman said.--Keith Hernandez - RotoBaller
Source: The Athletic - Fabian Ardaya