Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts knows just how tough Freddie Freeman can be, but he also recognizes when to step in. The Dodgers first baseman was determined to play through his rib pain, but the team isn’t willing to take risks this early in the season.

World Series MVP Freddie Freeman was scratched from the starting lineup less than an hour before the 2025 season began citing left rib discomfort.

Freeman’s rib injury is not as severe as the one he played through last fall, but the Dodgers opted to keep him out of the lineup as a precaution again Wednesday.