Dodgers' Freeman will play through hairline fracture in finger

Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman was diagnosed with a hairline fracture in his right middle finger, but he plans to play through the injury, manager Dave Roberts announced Monday, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.

Freeman is in the Dodgers' lineup for Monday's game against the Seattle Mariners, batting third and playing first base.

The 34-year-old sustained the injury when he took a ground ball off his right hand during Saturday's game in St. Louis. He left the game early and didn't play Sunday after his finger swelled up.

Despite the nature of the injury, Roberts said the Dodgers never expected to place Freeman on the IL, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. The former MVP told his manager that he's able to handle the pain going forward.

"Freddie's got a high tolerance, so he's going to play," Roberts said, according to Doug McKain of Dodgers Nation. "He couldn't brush his teeth or his hair, but the swelling dissipated. Just speaks to how tough he is."

Freeman is enjoying his usual solid season at the plate, hitting .292/.391/.488 with 17 homers, 72 RBIs, and six stolen bases over his first 116 games of 2024. The eight-time All-Star entered Monday leading the NL in OBP.

The Dodgers also announced that third baseman Max Muncy and utility player Tommy Edman have been activated from the injured list. Edman, who was acquired from the St. Louis Cardinals at the trade deadline, is making his Dodgers debut, batting ninth and playing center field on Monday, while Muncy is hitting seventh.

To make room for Muncy and Edman on the active roster, Los Angeles optioned outfielder Andy Pages to Triple-A and designated shortstop Nick Ahmed for assignment. Pages is expected to be recalled once rosters expand in September, Roberts said, per Ardaya.

The Dodgers also placed catcher Austin Barnes on the injured list with a fractured big toe and recalled rookie backstop Hunter Feduccia from Triple-A.