Freeland's versatility to be tested after key Dodgers injuries

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Alex Freeland was drafted and developed as a shortstop, but when he was called up to the Dodgers last week, he knew he likely wouldn't see much, if any, time at his natural position. MLB Pipeline's No. 3 Dodgers prospect (No. 35 overall) ended up getting his first four big league starts at third base.

"Wherever they need me," he said, "I'll be ready."

Now, Freeland's ability to be versatile will be put to the test.

When Freeland was promoted from Triple-A Oklahoma City, it was unclear how long his first stint with the Dodgers would last, given that third baseman Max Muncy was getting close to a return from a nearly five-week absence due to a bone bruise in his left knee. But when Tommy Edman aggravated his nagging right ankle while running the bases on Sunday, that opened the door for Freeland to extend his stay in the big leagues.

Muncy was activated on Monday, and Edman went back on the 10-day injured list with a sprained right ankle, the same ankle that he had hurt at the end of April and has been managing since coming off the IL in mid-May.

Freeland remained with the Dodgers, and although he may not have as many opportunities at third base now that Muncy is back, he should see a fair amount of playing time at second base, at least until Hyeseong Kim returns from an IL stint due to left shoulder bursitis.

“Alex is going to take some more balls at second base," manager Dave Roberts told reporters, including MLB.com's Sarah Wexler, on Monday afternoon at Dodger Stadium. "He's going to play second base tomorrow, and then on Wednesday, he's going to kick back over to third base. But I think for Alex, it means that he's going to just see some more time at second base.”

In parts of four Minor League seasons, Freeland spent by far the most time at shortstop, with third base a distant second. He also made nine starts at second base -- including one this year -- and has a 1.000 fielding percentage in a limited sample of 78 innings at the position.

For the time being, Freeland will likely share time at second base with veteran Miguel Rojas, who drew the start at the keystone on Monday night. Freeland is a switch-hitter but has consistently been better from the left-hand side throughout his Minor League career, recording an .828 OPS vs. righties and a .709 OPS vs. lefties this year with Oklahoma City.

Freeland can also spell Muncy as needed, a sensible arrangement given that the Dodgers' starting third baseman was out of big league action for a month. Muncy is set to get a day off on Wednesday, leaving the hot corner open for Freeland.

Getting a longer look at the Major League level could be a big opportunity for Freeland. He looked solid in his first four games, going 4-for-13 with some hard contact and picking up his first RBI. There has been quite a bit of swing-and-miss in the early going, though, as he's struck out six times against one walk in 15 plate appearances.

That small sample doesn’t necessarily say much about how Freeland matches up against big league pitching. With a little more time on his side, perhaps the 23-year-old could build a case to remain with the Dodgers even after players such as Kim and Edman return from the IL. The former could be back relatively soon, while the latter does not yet have a timetable to return.