Dodgers trade for Tarik Skubal, fans and owners express outrage
The Dodgers are acquiring Tarik Skubal in a move that leaves some in the baseball world calling for a salary cap.
Los Angeles Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman exited Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals after taking a hard fall in the top of the eighth inning.
Freeman was chasing a pop-up from Isaac Collins that veered into foul territory next to the first base dugout. He chased it onto the warning track as the ball continued to pull right before stopping and trying to lean over the gap, but the 36-year-old’s momentum took him down the dugout steps.
Freeman was immediately attended to by security, Royals players and Miguel Rojas as he took a moment to gather himself, but appeared to be OK and ran back onto the field to chants of his name and a loud applause from Dodger fans in attendance.
He finished out the frame on defense but Tommy Edman pinch-hit in his place in the bottom of the eighth.
The Dodgers went on to beat the Royals 4-2.
Freddie Freeman injury update
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said Freeman’s left hand and shoulder took the brunt of the fall and that he felt it would be difficult for Freeman to take the next at-bat, which is why he subbed in Edman.
“He’s sore,” Roberts told reporters. “Hand, knee, foot, shoulder a little bit. But I think we really dodged a bullet. Very scary visually.”
Roberts added that Freeman did not need X-rays and is considered day-to-day. The plan was already for Freeman to take a day off on Friday, but Roberts said he’ll talk with his first baseman and see how he feels over the next few days.
Freeman spoke with reporters later Wednesday night and described himself as being “sore” but “in good spirits.”
He said he didn’t hit his head but his playing status for Thursday will likely be determined by “how I feel tomorrow when I wake up.”
This story has been updated with new information.