Freddie Freeman returns to Dodgers' lineup after missing 9 games with ankle injury from shower slip

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Los Angeles Dodgers slugger Freddie Freeman came off the injured list Friday after missing nine games with a right ankle injury that resulted from slipping in the shower at home.

Freeman said an MRI showed fraying of the scar tissue in his surgically repaired ankle, but he was back to running bases a few days ago.

“I hate to say it, but I might have needed the 10 days,” said Freeman, who loathes missing games. “I feel the best I’ve felt since I’ve gotten hurt.”

The 35-year-old first baseman went 0 for 3 with two strikeouts, was hit by a pitch and scored a run in the Dodgers' 3-0 win over the Chicago Cubs, his first game since March 29.

“Got on base by way of hit-by-pitch and it was just his first game back,” manager Dave Roberts said. “He does a lot of great things, but this was a tough one. He'll be back in there tomorrow.”

Fans chanted “Freddie! Freddie!” as he came to the plate for the first time in the series opener against the Chicago Cubs on his bobblehead night.

Freeman saw fans waiting outside the stadium when he arrived 6 1/2 hours before gametime. Not quite the madness of a Shohei Ohtani giveaway, but impressive nonetheless.

“That was kind of crazy,” he said. “I do appreciate it. I just want to say thank you. My family is really excited about this bobblehead, too.”

Charlie Freeman, the oldest of Freeman's three sons, threw a ceremonial first pitch. The 8-year-old has a locker next to his father in the Dodgers clubhouse.

Charlie nonchalantly walked to the rubber on the pitcher's mound and fired a strike, just like he did last year. The crowd cheered and he walked off and into the arms of his father, who scooped him up.

The Freeman family, including wife, Chelsea, and father, Fred, gave the traditional pregame call of “It's time for Dodger baseball!”

The World Series MVP has played in just three games so far. He missed the opening series against the Cubs in Tokyo with left rib discomfort and sat out last week’s three-game series against his old team, the Atlanta Braves. Freeman has batted .250 with two home runs and four RBI.

Then came the shower incident.

Freeman slipped and fell on March 30 in what he called a “freak accident.”

It was another mishap involving the same ankle Freeman sprained on a play at first base in late September. He struggled in the first two rounds of the postseason, but it was hardly evident during the World Series. He homered in the first four games and had 12 RBIs as the Dodgers beat the New York Yankees in five games.

He had debridement surgery in December to remove loose bodies in the ankle.

Utilityman Kiké Hernández filled in at first during Freeman's absence.

“When you lose Freddie to have a backfill like Kiki has been huge for us,” Roberts said. “Certainly in preventing runs and making plays defensively.”

Freeman said he feels good enough to steal a base.

But he doesn't have the green light.

“No," Roberts said. "It’s as red as it can be, fire engine red.”

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/mlb

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hugs his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Charlie Freeman, 9-year-old son of Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, throws out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman walks with his 9-year-old son Charlie after he threw out the first pitch before a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman tosses the ball to first base for an out in the third inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Dodgers fan Angel Rodriguez holds his Freddie Freeman bobblehead prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman speaks to reporters during batting practice before a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian)

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman warms up prior to a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Friday, April 11, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jayne Kamin-Oncea)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)