Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman had surgical procedure on his proper ankle Thursday and is “anticipated to have the ability to take part in baseball actions” as soon as spring coaching comes round, the group introduced.

It’s fascinating wording from the group there, because it’s doable Freeman will not be 100% to begin spring coaching however will as an alternative to relegated to issues like throwing and hitting off a tee. He has all the best way till March 18 earlier than the common season begins and that is a two-game collection in opposition to the Cubs in Japan. The Dodgers’ house opener is March 27. 

Freeman suffered a sprained proper ankle over the past week of the common season and was severely hampered via the NLDS and NLCS rounds of the playoffs. He entered the World Collection with out having had an extra-base hit in practically a month nor a house run in properly over a month. Within the NLCS, he went 1 for 15 in Video games 2, 3 and 5 whereas lacking Video games 4 and 6. 

In Recreation 1 of the World Collection, nonetheless, he immediately went on the run of a lifetime. He tripled early within the sport after which hit the first-ever walk-off grand slam in World Collection historical past. 

He would go on to homer in every of the primary 4 World Collection video games whereas driving house not less than one run in every of the 5 video games. He completed 6 for 20 (.300) with a triple, 4 house runs and 12 RBI. He gained World Collection MVP. 

Freeman, whose ankle process consisted of a debridement and the elimination of free our bodies, now heads to his age-35 season. It is the fourth yr of his six-year, $162 million take care of the Dodgers. Within the common season final yr, he hit .282/.378/.476 (143 OPS+) with 35 doubles, two triples, 22 house runs, 89 RBI, 81 runs and 4.7 WAR.