Dodgers run the risk of making same Shohei Ohtani mistake with Freddie Freeman

The Los Angeles Dodgers are playing a dangerous game. It started with Shohei Ohtani, who was finally placed on the IL after a week that had absences from the starting lineup sprinkled in, and it appears to be continuing with how the handling of Freddie Freeman's injury has unfolded over the past week.

Freeman is dealing with right knee soreness, and as was the case with Ohtani, the Dodgers seem to believe that sprinkling in days of rest will magically heal all that is wrong. Freeman didn't play on Wednesday, and with the Dodgers having an off day on Thursday, the idea was that the veteran would have two days off before returning to the lineup on Friday.

But, it's injury management and the Dodgers. Nothing is ever what it seems. That is why while Dave Roberts has "absolutely" ruled out the idea of Freeman heading to the IL, actions aren't matching that belief. Especially when it hasn't been ruled out that Freeman would get Friday off as a way to give him three days off before a potential return.

Dodgers can't drag their feet much longer on Freddie Freeman decision

While Freeman made a cameo as the LA's designated hitter earlier this week, the tell that his injury is causing problem is that he's striking out more frequently. Over his last 28 plate appearances, Freeman has struck out nine times; over 32% of the time. That's nearly a 15% increase from where he stands for the entire season. As Roberts mentioned on Wednesday, that's a sign that the knee is causing more problems than intended.

There's no reason for the Dodgers to be playing this back-and-forth game with injuries. If time off is needed for Freeman, they have a small window to place him on the 10-day IL to ensure he's ready for the start of the playoffs. If Freeman is unable to play on Friday, the best course of action would be to give him the extra time off.

The Dodgers have a four-game lead over the Atlanta Braves for the No. 2 seed in the National League. An important distinction, considering a first-round bye would mean extra time off for Freeman (and Ohtani). In a perfect world, they would have clinched that spot by now, but they have enough comfort to do the right thing and IL Freeman before this injury festers into something worse.

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