After missing nearly two weeks to be with his family following his son's diagnosis with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Freddie Freeman made an emotional return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night.
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Freddie Freeman's return to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night was a moment of both joy and relief. After missing nearly two weeks to be with his family following their son's diagnosis with Guillain-Barré syndrome, Freeman received a standing ovation from the Dodger Stadium crowd.
Freddie Freeman Returns to Dodgers After Son's Medical Scare
Freeman's son, Max, was diagnosed with the rare neurological disorder last month. The condition involves the immune system attacking nerves, causing muscle weakness. Max spent eight days in an intensive care unit with full body paralysis.
Freeman and his wife, Chelsea, announced over the weekend that Max was home from the hospital, but he still has a long road ahead of him.
Freddie Freeman Returns to Dodgers After Son's Medical Scare
"Max still has a long road ahead of him to regain his strength and relearn how to walk. But we are so thankful to have our family back together. Thank you God for this miracle," the couple wrote in an Instagram post.
Freeman's teammates showed their support for the family by wearing "#MaxStrong" shirts during batting practice and before the game. Freeman received one of the shirts himself.
Freddie Freeman Returns to Dodgers After Son's Medical Scare
Freeman went 1-for-4 with a single in his return to the lineup. He got emotional before his first at-bat, and he and Bryce Harper hugged it out after Freeman's lone base hit of the evening.
The Freemans have been through a lot over the past few weeks, but they are grateful for the support they have received from their family, friends, and the Dodgers organization.
"We are so thankful for the outpouring of love and support that we have received from our family, friends, the Dodgers organization, and the baseball community," the couple wrote in an Instagram post. "It has meant the world to us."
Freeman is hitting .287 with an .884 OPS this season. He is in his third season with the Dodgers after spending his first 12 seasons with the Atlanta Braves, winning the World Series in his final game with them in 2021.
The Dodgers are currently in a tight race for the NL West division title. Freeman's return will be a boost to the team's chances of winning the division and making a deep run in the playoffs.
