Freeman's Fortunate Fall
Dodgers' Freddie Freeman falls into Royals dugout, avoids serious injury as Dodgers sweep
Key Points
Freeman said there was no railing and that he misjudged the railing when leaning to catch the foul popup, causing him to fall down the second flight into the dugout; his 6-foot-4 height helped him avoid a worse impact and he joked about being tall enough to miss more damage.
The foul ball was hit by Royals outfielder Isaac Collins, with Freeman tracking it to the edge of the dugout before the misstep; he braced himself on his right side after the impact.
Dodgers trainers did not order full-body imaging after the fall; head athletic trainer Thomas Albert asked if Freeman wanted any imaging, but Freeman said no, indicating no major tests were needed.
Freeman noted this isn’t his first fielding misadventure in foul territory, recalling a similar fall into seats in Arizona about a decade ago, underscoring a history of awkward tumbles in the outfield area.
Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman fell into the Kansas City Royals' dugout while chasing a foul ball Wednesday night, leaving the field briefly but escaping serious injury. Los Angeles went on to win 4-2, completing a three-game sweep, according to AJC.
Freeman was chasing a foul popup off the bat of Royals outfielder Isaac Collins when he misjudged the edge of the dugout and tumbled down the steps. He said afterward he was sore in his kneecaps, shoulder, hand, and wrist — but never hit his head, per WRAL.
Freeman Tumbles Into Dugout, Finishes the Inning Anyway
Freeman tracked the foul popup to the edge of the visitors' dugout. He said there was no railing to grab, and he misjudged where the barrier was. He braced himself on his right side as he landed hard on the steps. Despite the fall, he stayed on the field to finish the defensive half of the eighth inning, according to AJC.
Freeman credited his 6-foot-4 frame for limiting the damage. He joked that being tall enough actually helped him avoid a worse impact. Pinch-hitter Tommy Edman took his spot in the lineup for the bottom of the eighth. Freeman remained in good spirits, saying, "I'm in good spirits" after the game, per Head Topics.
No Imaging Needed, But Freeman Listed as Day-to-Day
Head athletic trainer Thomas Albert asked Freeman if he wanted any imaging done after the fall. Freeman said no. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts confirmed there were no major tests needed and listed Freeman as day-to-day, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Roberts said the team will monitor Freeman before Thursday's game against the Milwaukee Brewers. There is also a chance Freeman gets Friday off as a rest day. No structural damage was found, and Freeman said adrenaline helped carry him through the final moments of the inning, per WRAL.
This Is Not Freeman's First Foul-Territory Tumble
Freeman noted this is not his first time falling in foul territory. He recalled a similar tumble into the seats in Arizona about a decade ago. He said these kinds of accidents happen when you are going hard after a ball near the edge of the field, according to AJC.
The incident renewed questions about dugout safety. Freeman pointed out there was no rail where he fell. That gap left him with nothing to grab as he leaned toward the popup. Safety advocates have long argued that guard rails or barriers near dugout entrances could prevent exactly these kinds of falls, per WRAL.
Dodgers Complete Sweep Despite the Scare
The Dodgers won 4-2 to finish off the three-game series sweep over Kansas City. Edman stepped in for Freeman without a hitch after the fall. The win keeps Los Angeles rolling heading into their series against Milwaukee, according to Winnipeg Free Press.
Freeman said he hopes to play soon and was upbeat after the game. The bigger concern going forward is Thursday's availability. Roberts said the team will know more by game time. For now, the Dodgers are treating this as a minor setback and not a long-term issue, per Head Topics.
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