Freddie Freeman is a key cog in the Braves future. (Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports)
ATLANTA — Freddie Freeman missed 30 games with a sprained right wrist. Now the Atlanta Braves first baseman could be gone up to almost that long with a strained right oblique.
Freeman was hurt on a fourth-inning swing Monday night and departed for the Braves’ training facility in Florida shortly after being placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday.
The Braves hope the injury is similar to the April one that was suffered in 2013 by Freeman, who was able to return as soon as eligible from the disabled list.
“There’s no timetable yet. It’s too early,” manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “But if it’s not a serious (oblique), if you treat it right you can get back in two or three weeks.”
Freeman played in 243 consecutive games between the 2013 oblique strain and having to leave a game on June 27 because of his wrist injury.
He batted just .184 (7-for-38) in the 10 games after his return, but hit two homers to give him a team-best 14. His overall average is .284 and he has 45 RBIs in 76 games.
“I’m sure he wants to finish the season healthy and we want him to finish the season healthy,” Gonzalez said. “We want to win as many games as we can and he’s a big part of that puzzle.”
With Freeman sidelined, Chris Johnson and Joey Terdoslavich will share time at first base. Terdoslavich was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett when Freeman went on the disabled list.
At first, Gonzalez thought Freeman may have re-injured his wrist. At least the oblique is a little less worrisome.
“It’s not a high oblique and, from my understanding, if it’s high or closer to the ribs, it could be a prolonged thing,” Gonzalez said. “His is a little lower.”
