Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is in the starting lineup for Los Angeles’ crucial Game 5 against the visiting San Diego Padres in Friday’s National League Division Series.
Freeman’s injured right ankle was heavily taped as he went through pregame warmups at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said Freeman would be monitored right up until first pitch.
“Right now he’s in there,” Roberts said of the starting lineup. “I feel good about him in there. He’s still going to go through his routine. If he doesn’t go, then we’ll adjust.”
Freeman missed Game 4 due to a right ankle injury he initially sustained on Sept. 26. He tested the ankle prior to Wednesday’s contest before being scratched from the lineup.
The 35-year-old also exited after five innings in Game 2.
Freeman, an eight-time All-Star, is batting .273 (3-for-11) in three games this postseason.
As expected, shortstop Miguel Rojas (adductor) is not in the lineup for the second straight game. He aggravated his injury while running the bases in Tuesday’s Game 3. Rojas, 35, is 2-for-8 in the series.
