Dodgers' Freeman scratched from Game 4 lineup
Los Angeles Dodgers star first baseman Freddie Freeman has been scratched from the lineup for Game 4 of the NLDS against the San Diego Padres.
Chris Taylor drew into the lineup in Freeman's spot, hitting ninth and playing center field. Kiké Hernández will now hit eighth and play third base instead of center, while Max Muncy shifts from third to first. Muncy is batting cleanup, and Teoscar Hernández has moved up to the No. 3 spot.
Freeman has been playing through a severe right ankle sprain suffered two weeks ago. He started the first three games of the series but was removed midway through Game 2 due to the issue and was lifted for a pinch-runner late in Tuesday's contest. He's 3-for-11 with a pair of strikeouts in the series.
There was no immediate update on Freeman's condition beyond the fact that he was scratched from the lineup. It's also unclear if he'd be able to play if the series is extended. When asked about Freeman's level of pain during his pregame press conference, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said it was "just OK," according to ASAP Sports.
Freeman is the second Dodgers regular sitting out of Game 4 due to an injury, joining shortstop Miguel Rojas, who was pulled from Game 3 with a groin injury. Roberts said that Rojas likely won't be available off the bench Wednesday but could return for a potential Game 5, according to Chelsea Janes of The Washington Post.
The Dodgers are down 2-1 in the best-of-five series.