Dave Roberts provides comprehensive update on Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman for NLDS

According to manager Dave Roberts, it’s almost a guarantee that Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman will be in the NLDS’ starting lineup next Saturday.

The first baseman suffered an ankle injury in Thursday night’s series finale with the San Diego Padres. Although the Dodgers won the National League West division in the series finale against their rivals, injuries continued to abound in the clubhouse.

Freeman’s alarming right ankle injury silenced the home crowd at Dodger Stadium. While initially trying to avoid a tag on a play, the first baseman twisted his ankle. His departure was deafening.

Kiké Hernández replaced Freeman to start the eighth inning. After the game, while champagne showers ensued in the clubhouse, Freeman wore a walking boot and used crutches.

The good news is that the X-rays Freeman took were negative. It’s a positive update in what could be another disastrous situation for the Dodgers.

“It’s swollen,” Freeman told MLB.com’s Juan Toribio. “But they are pretty optimistic that I can make it to the playoffs by Saturday. That’s what I’m betting on. I’ve never twisted an ankle so I don’t know. It’s pretty big right now.”

The first baseman will not travel with the team to Colorado. As the Dodgers play their final games of the season, Freeman will do everything he can to make a full recovery.

The Dodgers are optimistic that Freeman will return to the team in full form when the playoffs begin. However, the team was previously optimistic that other key starters would return from injury and this was never implemented.

For example, Dodgers star Tyler Glasnow seemed to be a guarantee of returning to the team. Placing him on the injured list for the second time this season seemed to be a precautionary measure. Likewise, it appears to be a precautionary measure that the Dodgers are keeping Freeman out for the final series of the season.

Fans should hope for the best when it comes to Freeman. Glasnow’s injury situation only got worse. His elbow tendonitis developed into an elbow sprain at the end of the season.

Hopefully Freeman’s twisted ankle doesn’t turn into something serious.

Still, the Dodgers won the division despite the unprecedented number of injuries. It was the 11th division title in the last 12 years, but that meant even more.

The Dodgers won the division as several starters struggled with injuries. The question remains: Can the Dodgers continue their tough fight for the World Series?