The Los Angeles Dodgers kicked off their 2025 season in style on Tuesday, taking down the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in the Tokyo Series. It’s always a thrill to see baseball fire up across the Pacific, and the Dodgers didn’t disappoint, flexing their muscle in a crisp win to get the year rolling. But even with the W in the books, there’s a little cloud hanging over the celebration—Freddie Freeman, the rock at first base, is dealing with some rib discomfort that’s got fans and the team keeping a close eye on him.
Freeman was all set to anchor the lineup as usual, but he got scratched late after feeling a tweak in his ribs during batting practice. Now, if you followed the Dodgers’ postseason run last year, this might sound familiar. The 35-year-old warrior toughed it out through the playoffs with a similar issue, powering through the pain to deliver some jaw-dropping moments in the World Series. He’s no stranger to playing hurt, and he said the rest over the offseason had things feeling better—until Tuesday’s warmups brought that old ache back to the “same exact spot.” You could hear the frustration in his voice when he talked to reporters after the game, but he was quick to downplay it. “I’m good. It’s not as bad as last year, absolutely not,” he said, flashing that veteran cool. The training staff, though, wasn’t taking any chances—they pulled the plug on him suiting up.
Here’s the deal: Freeman’s not sweating this too much, and honestly, it’s hard not to trust him. Last year, that rib issue was so rough he could barely walk, but he still turned into a postseason hero. This time around? He’s calling it minor, saying he felt fine leading up to the game and even pushed to play through the discomfort. The Dodgers’ staff gave him a 75 percent shot at lacing up for Wednesday’s game, which sounds promising. But he’s not naive—if the ache sticks around, he’s ready to roll with an MRI just to be sure. Smart move for a guy who knows his body and isn’t about to mess around with a long season ahead.
Let’s rewind a bit—Freeman’s been a machine in Tokyo so far. He suited up for both of L.A.’s exhibition games before the opener, looking like his usual self. And this isn’t even tied to the surgery he had in the offseason—that was a different fix, and he’s bounced back from it like a champ. The rib thing, though, is a nagging little ghost from 2024, popping up to remind everyone that even the toughest dudes aren’t invincible. Still, Freeman’s grit isn’t up for debate. Those World Series heroics? The guy was hobbling and still smashing clutch hits like it was nothing. No one’s questioning whether he can handle pain—it’s more about whether the Dodgers want their star playing at less than 100 percent this early in the year.
The Dodgers’ brass is probably thinking long game here. It’s March 18, 2025—plenty of baseball left to play. Freeman’s their cornerstone, a guy who sets the tone with his bat and his glove, so why risk him in a Tokyo Series game when they can let him rest up? He’s chomping at the bit, no surprise there—he told the media over and over that he could’ve played, that the call to sit was all on the training staff. You’ve gotta love that fire, but you also get why the team’s playing it cautious. A healthy Freddie Freeman in October is worth way more than a banged-up version grinding through March.
So, what’s the vibe in Dodgerland? Optimism with a side of wait-and-see. The win over the Cubs is a solid start—pitching looked sharp, the bats woke up, and the team’s got that championship swagger. Freeman’s rib tweak is a bummer, but it’s not sounding the alarm bells just yet. If he’s back in the lineup Wednesday, it’s business as usual. If he needs that MRI and a few days to chill, the Dodgers have the depth to hold it down. Either way, this is Freddie Freeman we’re talking about—he’s been through worse and come out swinging. For now, L.A.’s off to a 1-0 start, and that’s a heck of a way to christen 2025. Keep an eye on those ribs, though—this season’s just getting warmed up.
