Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is eligible to come off the disabled list after the All-Star break but apparently won’t return until at least August.
The 25-year-old Freeman went on the disabled list last month with a bone bruise in his right wrist. He has missed 23 games and could be out two additional weeks or more.
“It’s more serious than we expected,” Braves president of baseball operations John Hart told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Wednesday. “I’m hoping he’ll be back before the first of August, but he may not be.
“He’s working hard to get back, but it’s a slow-healing injury and it still gives him pain when he swings.”
The Braves have used Kelly Johnson and Chris Johnson to fill Freeman’s spot at first base.
In 66 games this season before the injury, Freeman was batting .299 with 12 home runs and 41 RBIs.