Atlanta Braves activate third baseman Freddie Freeman

So much for that rehab stint to get some game action at the new position – funny how much things can change in less than 7 weeks.

This wasn’t exactly the plan, but then again, the plan changed dramatically over the past 2 weeks.  The Atlanta Braves have activated first third baseman Freddie Freeman and immediately inserted him into the third spot of the lineup for tonight’s contest at home vs. the Houston Astros.

It was May 17th that Freeman was hit by a pitch thrown from the hand of Toronto’s Aaron Loup.  It was an injury that essentially shattered one of the bones in his wrist – early reports indicating 7 fractures, then as many as 12.

At the same time, the diagnosis was for around 10 weeks out of action.

But first there were a couple of weeks in a cast… then a little throwing… then some light BP.

But the bombshell came when Freddie himself opted to go to his management and beg for a chance to come back at third base as a means to keep the hot bat of Matt Adams in the lineup.

Ironically, that hot bat has cooled considerably in the past few days after a .314 pace in June.  But Adams has been hampered by a bruise on his left foot after fouling off a pitch last Thursday in San Diego.

Adams continued to play through the pain, but the hope is that the time off since Sunday’s game gives him time enough to heal.

What’s Gonna Happen?

It isn’t like Freeman was diving around make stops on balls hit like lasers while at Gwinnett.  Instead he played parts of just 2 games and accepted just one fielding chance at third base – a routine bouncer that was more-or-less right at him.

Okay, he was also 2 for 3 with a pair of walks for an .800 OBP and ridiculous 1.467 OPS.

Freeman himself characterized his mood for the first rehab start at the position as ‘anxious’.

The interesting plays, of course, will come over time.  The dive plays, the charging plays, and those on slower bouncers requiring him to cut in front of Dansby Swanson.

So we’ll all wait with our own anxiety when Jose Altuve decides the time is right to test and drops down a bunt toward the “rookie” over at the hot corner.

Next: Juggling Names for the Future

In the meantime, let’s hope for the best from Sean Newcomb and this new lineup.