LOS ANGELES -- Freddie Freeman took an 88 mph sinker off his left wrist, looked down at his hands and slowly began making his way toward the home dugout.
The Dodgers were already concerned to see their star first baseman get hit on the wrist, but it was the way that Freeman reacted that set off the alarm bells.
"He just doesn't come out of games," manager Dave Roberts said after Sunday afternoon's 6-5 loss to the Brewers. "I didn't know why he was walking toward me. Then hearing him saying that it was his wrist and he can't continue. So yeah, really worried, and typically it's the other way around."
The Dodgers breathed a sigh of relief when X-rays on Freeman's wrist came back negative. He's considered day to day with a left wrist contusion. But to add insult to injury, Sunday's loss sealed a sweep at the hands of the Brewers -- not just in the three-game set at Dodger Stadium, but also in the six-game season series.
The 2025 Brewers joined the 2006 Cardinals (seven games) and the 1994 Braves (six games) as the only teams to sweep the Dodgers in a season series (min. five games). L.A. has lost 10 of its past 12 games.
Although Freeman has been in an extended slump -- he has a .553 OPS since June 1 -- he has nevertheless been an anchor of the Dodgers' lineup. Overall, he's hitting .292 with an .836 OPS. Miguel Rojas took over at first base after Freeman was hit by Brewers starter Jose Quintana with two outs in the sixth inning.
"That one, I held my breath. I think we all did," Roberts said. "When you're scuffling, and to potentially lose a guy for four to six weeks, is obviously very scary. But exhale, sigh of relief after hearing that it was negative. To lose him longer would've been really tough to overcome. We dodged a bullet there."
If this injury forces Freeman to miss time, the Dodgers could use a Rojas-Dalton Rushing platoon at first base. Before sliding over on Sunday, Rojas had logged 254 1/3 career innings at first across 110 appearances (nine starts).
Rushing, who draws roughly two starts per week as the backup to starting catcher Will Smith, could get more regular at-bats as a left-handed option at first base. While Rushing hasn't played there much in the Majors, he made nine appearances (eight starts) at first with Triple-A Oklahoma City before being promoted earlier this season.
If Freeman is feeling well enough to avoid being placed on the injured list, but not ready to play in Monday's series opener against the Twins, Rushing will start at first base, Roberts said.
Freeman had a minimum-length 10-day IL stint in the beginning of the season after aggravating his surgically repaired right ankle by slipping in the shower. He's stayed on the field otherwise, although he had to manage his ankle and other minor ailments during the first half.