Dodgers' Dave Roberts signals major shift for Freddie Freeman's workload after offseason injury

Hunter Cookston

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Dodgers' Dave Roberts signals major shift for Freddie Freeman's workload after offseason injury image

For the first time in a long while, the Los Angeles Dodgers appear content with not going overboard in free agency. Although they did land Edwin Diaz on a three-year deal, that might be the only major move they make this winter. Manager Dave Roberts is perfectly fine with that.

“Dodgers manager Dave Roberts says he’s quite comfortable running it back with virtually the same roster: ‘There’s really no big splash that we feel that needs to be made,’” USA Today’s Bob Nightengale posted.

The Dodgers have their core of Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and many others locked in for years, so the organization feels good about its current build. At the winter meetings, Roberts noted that Freeman may receive more off days than usual—both because he dealt with injuries last season and suffered another minor issue this offseason—but also to give Dalton Rushing more at-bats.

“We ran him out there a little at first base, but Freddie is a guy that wants to be out there every day, but if there is an opportunity to get Freddie off his feet, I can see Dalton playing first base,” Roberts told the media.

Freeman is the ultimate workhorse. Before he broke his hand with the Braves, he was the active leader in consecutive games played. Still, getting him to actually take days off will be something to watch.

“Freeman played 159 and 161 games in his first two seasons with the Dodgers, respectively. He only missed time last year because of a family emergency — totaling 147 games in the regular season — and only missed time in the postseason when his injured ankle and rib cage would not allow him to play,” SI’s JP Hoornstra wrote.

In 2025, Freeman missed more games than he preferred, so he’s going to want to be on the field as often as possible in 2026. If Roberts plans to give him more rest, executing that plan will be easier said than done.

Freeman thrives when he plays every day and stays locked into the rhythm of the season. If Roberts begins to limit his games played, Freeman may have to adjust to a new reality.

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