As of yesterday afternoon, the outlook was rather positive on Freddie Freeman’s troublesome right elbow. But he was scratched from his scheduled spring appearance today owing to inflammation in the joint.
It’s not time to panic if you’re a Braves fan. The club made clear it’s a precautionary move. And some amount of swelling in the elbow at some point was probably inevitable. Freeman, after all, required fairly extensive cleanup work over the offseason to address painful bone spurs.
The situation does certainly warrant close attention from the Atlanta training staff. Freeman is obviously a key cog in the Braves’ lineup. He gamely battled through the injury down the stretch last year, but produced a prolonged slump at the plate.
Manager Brian Snitker spoke on the subject, explaining that it’s not seen as cause for major alarm at the moment. (Video via 680 The Fan, on Twitter). The hope is that Freeman can take a few days off and then get back going. Unsurprisingly, the skipper evinced little worry that his star hitter would be capable of fully preparing for the season to come even if he’s delayed.
Stepping into the lineup today is Yonder Alonso, who’d also be the top insurance plan to help the club cope with any absence from its top-of-class first baseman. The Braves will hope instead that Alonso exits Spring Training as a bench bat and capable option to give Freeman some extra rest in the early going.
That picture of him looks like he just got detention
“It’s not time to panic if you’re a Braves fan. The club made clear it’s a precautionary move.” – As a Braves fan, I’m not panicking. Inflammation is to be expected when you had a procedure like that four months ago after ramping up activity for the first time.
That said, what FF and/or the org says about any injury really shouldn’t serve to give fans any peace of mind. He lied about how much the broken hamate effected him in 2017 and he lied for like three years about the elbow. Anything they/he say about it should be taken with a HUGE grain of salt.
I could see him trying to push through to finish out a year in a playoff season but all the way back to 2017? Seems like he would have had this procedure already
The Braves are hoping Yonder Alonso can emerge as a bench bat? In what world is that good use of a roster spot? He can *only* play first…so he’s just gonna pinch hit and spell Freddie from time to time?
Yeah that one made me raise an eyebrow too. I think Alonso is a few ppl back in the pecking order
I wish I could raise an eyebrow. I have to raise both at once.
Made me chuckle, bham. :^)
Many teams have bench bats that are extremely useful, even if they only play one position.
The NL doesn’t have a DH. A quality bench bat is a good pinch hitter.
Look at the Met Dom Smith. He was a high quality bench bat and helped us immensely.
Atlanta has an abundant amount of players who can play first. Charlie Culberson, Adam Duvall, Nick Markakis and realistically any of our three catchers. It doesn’t make sense to add a very limited player like Alonso when you have all of these other options on the roster. This doesn’t even consider the fact Austin Riley played first last year a few times.
Markakis litterally made 6 appearances at first in his career and none since 2016
Yes but he practiced first throughout most of last season. Regardless we have plenty of options outside Alonso.
I believe Charlie Culberson has emergency 1st baseman covered. If Freddie is going to miss a lot of time only then would carrying another first baseman be necessary. Freeman plays thru injuries because a injured him is better than anybody else they can throw out there. He’s a true gamer.
I’m pretty sure Culberson, Camargo and even Markakis could be used at 1st base. Alonso is an emergency type player that should wait in the minors, not on the bench.
Having a backup first baseman is a terrible use of a roster spot. Worst case scenario, a player would play out of position for a game.
I know they just expanded the rosters, but I felt it would’ve been better to increase rosters to 28 with 25 guys available for the active gameday. Three inactive spots for yesterday’s starting pitcher, a third catcher, banged up regular, bullpen arm, or whatever the case may be.
It’s not a waste of a roster spot when you consider Freeman’s elbow, and the PH appearances Alonso can take. When you have 2 Utl players already, and 2 CF capable guys, it makes a ton of sense.
Since he’s not on the 40-man, the Braves can stash him in Gwinnett if he doesn’t make the opening day roster. Sounds like a reasonable insurance policy. And there’s Peter O’Brien if Alonso doesn’t do the job. Options, folks. None as good as Freddie, but options.
None as good as Freddie injured or none as good as Freddie healthy?
Very prophetic
Yes
you never want one of your star players playing injured unless its your only option. it’s not even March yet.
heard O’Brien’s received rave reviews on his ability to play first.
If Freeman misses any time, I’d be willing to bet money Camargo takes 3rd, Riley takes first, and Culberson/Markakis/Duvall handle some playing time in RF and 1st base.
“Evinced”??? Maybe stay off Thesaurus.com for a few days…
Really? That is not an obscure word. Maybe you need a thesaurus (and dictionary) for a word like evinced but many of us and most writers do not. Keep up. Just stop.
Maybe you need to dust off the thesaurus a bit more.
As a Cardinal fan, there are certain players I hate seeing come to the plate, especially with risp: Joey Votto, Anthony Rizzo, Buster Posey, and definitely Freddie Freeman. Very tough outs. Seems like they either line out sharply, or fly out at the warning track when they do make an out.
Mine is Matt Carpenter. Because he murders the Cubs.
Wow! You pulled off a great list of killer’s
i always find myself saying Freeman is a bit overrated but Braves fans, but he really is good. wonder why he’s gotten less fanfare recently though.
Acuna has stolen his attention but overrated? Not by a long shot. He’s the best overall first baseman in baseball.
Tommy John surgery if his elbow bothering him. He either gets a Corazon shot in it or get TJS. You’re going to lose him for significant time
You get TJS if you have a damaged ligament, not if you have inflammation in the joint. Granted, I’m not a surgeon, but I would imagine you aren’t either.
Someone tell me why the Cardinals do not sign Puig…to one year deal ..for $ 8 to $ 9 millon? Jersey sales would go through the roof.. # 66 PUIG… I would order one myself!
Aren’t people disappointed in the lack of off-season activity by the Cardinal front office? Get Yasiel! The fans will love him.
One of baseball’s most underrated players and quietly putting together a HOF career.
low,
Tap the HoF brakes. He’s a nice player, but let’s not lose our minds here.
He’s a 4 time all star with the majority of his career still in front of him, why wouldn’t he make the Hall of Fame?
Freeman has played ten years. Taking you literally (when you use the term majority), then you believe he has a minimum eleven productive years ahead. And all I asked is that we not lose our minds…
Gamely or mainly?
Oh please this guy is a gamer he will be ready and will produce trust me I’m a mets fan freddy kills us all the times…