# The Dodgers just handed a rookie the leadoff spot

> Freddie Freeman is back in the lineup, but the bigger news is the 21-year-old hitting in front of him.
- Title: The Dodgers just handed a rookie the leadoff spot | Shortify
- Summary: Freddie Freeman is back in the lineup, but the bigger news is the 21-year-old hitting in front of him. With Ohtani on the IL, the Dodgers are auditioning…
- Keywords: mlb, dodgers, josue de paula, freddie freeman, rookies, news, entertainment, just, handed, rookie, leadoff, spot
- Source: California Post — https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/sports/freddie-freeman-back-in-dodgers-lineup-josue-de-paula-bats-leadoff
- Published: 2026-09-15T19:24:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mlb, dodgers, josue de paula, freddie freeman, rookies, news, entertainment
## Freeman is back, sort of
Freddie Freeman returned to the Dodgers lineup Tuesday in Cincinnati, still playing through the right knee injury that has dogged him.
## The real surprise
The bigger story was further up the card. Rookie DH Josue De Paula got the leadoff spot against Reds righty Rhett Lowder.

> that wasn't the biggest surprise in the team's new-look batting order
## Five games of experience
Tuesday was only De Paula's fifth major league game. He was called up straight from double-A Tulsa last week to cover for Shohei Ohtani, who is on the IL with left knee and right arm injuries.
## He has already made noise
The 21-year-old drew five walks in his first 14 plate appearances, then collected his first two MLB hits Sunday in Miami: a home run and a double.
## A postseason case
Ohtani's absence left the leadoff spot open, and the left-handed De Paula is suddenly in the conversation for a role in October.
## Freeman's clock is ticking
He has missed three of the last five games and gone 3-for-30 since September began. Dave Roberts insists no IL stint is needed, but until Freeman hits, the worry stays.
## Key takeaway

With Ohtani on the IL, the Dodgers are auditioning Josue De Paula as a leadoff man five games into his big-league career.