Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman in Lineup Monday against Phillies
By Seth Carter
The Atlanta Braves superstar first baseman is set to return from an inflamed surgically repaired elbow on Monday night against the Phillies.
Freddie Freeman struck terror into the hearts of Atlanta Braves‘ country with the recent news that his elbow was inflamed. He had surgery four months ago to remove two bone spurs and loose bodies from his elbow.
Freeman is set to bat third in the lineup against the Phillies at 6:05 p.m on Monday night.
Inflamed Freddie
It was nearly a week ago when Freeman was scratched from last Tuesday’s lineup against the Minnesota Twins. Braves fans felt a tomahawk to their hearts as the first indication was elbow injury.
Luckily, the injury was inflammation and the doctor’s orders were to rest. As Freeman reminded us in a recent interview, he did just have surgery on the elbow. All of the extra activity this spring has just irritated the joint of the superstar first baseman.
Freeman is the rock in the three-hole for the Braves. If the Braves intend on capturing a third straight division title in 2020 then the health of their big first baseman is one of the most important pieces of the puzzle.
Full-Time Freddie
In 2019 Freeman set career highs in runs (113), homers (38), and runs batted in (121). He slashed .295/.389/.549 while battling the elbow all year.
Despite dealing with the mangled elbow all season he played in 158 games.
He set all of those career highs and made his fourth All-Star appearance and yet he was in so much pain he couldn’t even wash his own hair in the shower.
In the video below, Freeman spoke with Fox Sports South and touched on the impact the elbow had last season. He did admit down the stretch the elbow was affecting his swing the last three weeks of the year.
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Outside of this recent “hiccup”, he has stated that the elbow feels great and for the first time in nine seasons, he is pain free. Perhaps with a clean bill of health and a pain-free elbow, Freddie can best his career highs from last season.