From California Post · · 1m 30s
Freddie Freeman's knee, explained
A 1-for-18 slump had a reason, and Freeman finally named it on his 37th birthday.
In brief
A 1-for-18 slump had a reason, and Freeman finally named it on his 37th birthday. Freeman's slump was a knee problem, not a swing problem, and the Dodgers are rationing his rest to keep him upright into October. Originally reported by California Post.
Back in the lineup at 37
Freeman turned 37 on Saturday and returned for the Dodgers' afternoon game in Miami after sitting out the previous two. He said he felt "night and day" better.
It's patellar tendonitis
The right knee problem has a name. Freeman called it patellar tendonitis and shrugged it off as aches and pains, saying he already feels much better than he did days ago.
“It's OK, just some aches and pains.”
Why he went 1-for-18
The knee had been bothering him for weeks, and it showed at the plate. Freeman tied the cold stretch directly to how the injury changed his movement.
No front side, no defense
He couldn't push off properly in his swing and struggled to move around first base. Eventually it stopped being worth playing through.
“I was having trouble moving. I didn't have a front side anymore.”
Wear and tear, not one moment
There was no collision or bad step that started it. Freeman blamed 17 big-league seasons of accumulated mileage on the same knee, an issue he has dealt with before.
Rest days, not the IL
Dave Roberts plans to pick spots for off days rather than a longer stint on the injured list, with no imaging so far. The goal is optimal health when the season ends.
“Hopefully, it hurts more tomorrow, because that means I was on the bases a lot today.”
What to remember
Freeman's slump was a knee problem, not a swing problem, and the Dodgers are rationing his rest to keep him upright into October.
