Dodgers’ Freeman Escapes Serious Injury After Tumble Into Dugout

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman took a frightening fall into the visitors’ dugout during Wednesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals while attempting to field a foul popup in the eighth inning. The 2024 World Series MVP appeared to escape without major injury, though he experienced soreness across multiple parts of his body from the tumble down the stairs.

Freeman remained in the game to complete the top of the eighth inning before being replaced by pinch hitter Tommy Edman in the bottom half. The Dodgers went on to defeat Kansas City 4-2, their fourth victory in five games. Freeman’s status for Thursday’s important four-game series opener against the MLB-leading Milwaukee Brewers remained uncertain pending his physical condition overnight.

“I didn’t hit my head, so that was the key part there,” Freeman said. “I am sore. Kneecaps are sore. Shoulder is sore. Hand sore. Wrist sore. I mean, I fell. But I’m in good spirits.”

Freeman described miscalculating the position of the dugout railing while tracking Isaac Collins’ foul pop. The 6-foot-4 infielder said he was fortunate to miss the top flight of stairs entirely, falling deep enough that his head extended into open space above the second flight rather than striking the ground or stairs directly.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts characterized the incident as scary but ultimately fortunate. “I think that we really dodged a bullet,” Roberts said. “Very scary visually. For right now, he’s in good spirits, which I think is a good sign. Just kind of total body soreness.”