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Freddie Freeman Likely Out Remainder of Season

By Matthew Schoettler

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Freddie Freeman missed Wednesday’s game and was realistically day-to-day with a sore wrist; however, he is likely out for the remainder of the season.

In Freddie Freeman’s sixth Major League season, he suffered numerous injuries, holding the star first baseman to just 115 games played this season. His previous career-low in games played was 147 (in 2012 and 2013). Freeman is known for his durability, but this season has been a stark difference to previous years.

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A two-time All-Star, Freddie Freeman provides an impressive bat to the middle of a poor Atlanta Braves’ lineup. By Freeman missing close to 50 games this season, the Braves realize how important his presence is in the lineup. Wrist injuries are tricky, because they take time to heal. Also, if a player rushes back from a wrist injury, it is likely that the player could re-aggravate the injury.

Freddie Freeman initially suffered the wrist injury on June 17th against the Boston Red Sox. The Atlanta Braves decided to have a wait-and-see approach with their star; however, he ultimately landed on the 15-day DL on June 23rd. Freeman ramped up his rehab, but he again went back on the 15-day DL with an oblique injury, likely due to the down time he had with the wrist injury.

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Freeman looks to have re-injured his wrist on September 29th and was not in the Braves’ lineup the following day, leading to the idea that he may not return to the lineup this season. Although he could potentially be available as a pinch-hitter, he likely will not see the field. Also, it would be in the Braves’ best interest to take a conservative approach with Freddie Freeman.

The Atlanta Braves inked up Freddie Freeman through the 2021 season, so with the 2015 season being a lost season, the Braves should shut down Freeman and allow him to come back stronger next season. By shutting Freeman down, this will give his wrist ample time to recover and could help the first baseman’s injury concerns dwindle with time.

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Freddie Freeman is the face of the franchise and likely the leader of the clubhouse, resembling that of Chipper Jones back in the day. Freeman possesses a career .285/.367/.466 slash line, and the Atlanta Braves do not want to see their star’s numbers regress. Moreover, Freeman is the sole power bat in the lineup, and wrist injuries normally hinder power hitters a little more than contact hitters.

Freeman averages nearly 20 home runs per season, so the Braves can not afford for to have his bat out of the lineup next season as much as it was this season. Thus, with 2015 season being a lost season, shut down Freddie Freeman and move on to 2016.

Next: Atlanta Braves: Four Areas to Build on for Next Season

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