CINCINNATI –– Despite Freddie Freeman’s ongoing right knee injury, the veteran first baseman was back in the Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday.
And yet, that wasn’t the biggest surprise in the team’s new-look batting order.
Instead, rookie designated hitter Josue De Paula got an auspicious bump up for the club, getting the chance to serve as leadoff hitter for Tuesday’s matchup against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder.
Tuesday only marked De Paula’s fifth game in the majors, following his call-up directly from double-A Tulsa last week.
He is still serving as DH on only a temporary basis, with Shohei Ohtani on the injured list nursing left knee and right arm injuries.
However, the 21-year-old top prospect has already made a positive impression, drawing five walks in his first 14 plate appearances while collecting his first two MLB hits on Sunday in Miami with a home run and a double. He is suddenly vying for a potential role in the postseason plans, as well.
Thus, the Dodgers are giving the promising left-handed hitter another new opportunity now, seeing how he looks as the leadoff man in their batting order –– one that was also vacated once Ohtani went on the IL.
For Freeman, meanwhile, Tuesday marks an important opportunity in its own right, as he tries to show progress with his right knee injury.
Freeman has been out for three of the Dodgers’ last five games because of the ailment, and only DH’d in the game before that.
Since the start of September, he has gone only 3-for-30 at the plate.
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continues to insist an injured list stint won’t be needed for the newly-turned 37-year-old. Both he and Freeman voiced hopes of the injury being resolved (or, at least, not as much of an impediment) by the time the playoffs begin.
Until he starts to hit again, however, concerns over his health will linger.
On Tuesday, he is batting directly after De Paula in the No. 2 hole.
