Freddie Freeman Leaves Dodgers to Care for Ailing Son

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman has been granted leave from the team to attend to his 3-year-old son, Maximus, who is suffering from transient synovitis, a temporary condition that causes hip inflammation. Freeman was with the team in Houston for a weekend series against the Astros but departed before Friday's game to return to California. His wife, Chelsea Freeman, shared on Instagram that Maximus had been hospitalized following a viral infection and was discharged earlier in the week. Chelsea Freeman expressed concern for their son’s health, stating that if he does not show improvement within 48 hours, he may need to return to the hospital. The condition has severely affected Maximus, preventing him from sitting, standing, or walking for three days, and he has also refused to eat. The family is understandably worried about his recovery. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented on Freeman's situation, acknowledging the emotional toll it has taken on the player. He emphasized the difficulty of balancing family responsibilities with professional commitments, stating, "When your child is going through things, it's just hard to be present." Roberts expressed hope for Maximus's recovery and noted that the team had not yet decided whether Freeman would be placed on the family leave list, which would require him to miss at least three games. Freeman, an eight-time All-Star, has been performing well this season, batting .288 with 16 home runs and 67 RBIs in 104 games.