The All-Star first baseman returns after missing eight games, his 3-year-old son Maximus now home from the hospital as he recovers from Guillain-Barré syndrome, a rare neurological condition in which the body’s immune system attacks the nerves.
LOS ANGELES — Throughout an emotional 30-minute press conference on Monday, Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman broke down multiple times as he detailed the health ordeal that his 3-year-old son Maximus has endured over the past two weeks.
After missing the Dodgers’ entire eight-game road trip that concluded Sunday at Oakland, Freeman is back with the club and was batting in the No. 3 spot of the order Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies.
What Freeman could not guarantee is that his mind would not wander from time to time.
Freeman’s son first was diagnosed with transient synovitis following a recent illness. But when Max’s health continued to decline, a further examination last week revealed Guillain-Barré syndrome, which caused temporary paralysis and forced the youngster to be intubated in order to breathe.
“It’s a good thing I’m here, because it means things are trending better. (For wife) Chelsea and I, it’s been a long week,” Freeman said before starting to fight back tears. “No one should have to go through this, especially a 3-year-old. I don’t know how many times Chelsea and I said we wish we could switch (places with Max).”
Max’s symptoms started to become serious during the Dodgers’ July 22-25 home series against the San Francisco Giants. The Freemans noticed Max walking with a limp on the morning of Monday (July 22) and by that night, Max couldn’t walk. The symptoms, according to an initial visit to a doctor, were consistent with transient synovitis, which can cause a pain in the hip after a viral infection.
The next day, Max couldn’t sit up, and by that Wednesday night, he had stopped eating and drinking and was taken to the emergency room. Doctors still suspected transient synovitis and recommended Tylenol.
Freeman played in an afternoon game against the Giants on that Thursday (July 25), and thinking his son was on the road to recovery, he then traveled with the Dodgers to Houston that night. Following a pregame workout on July 26, he scrambled to get back to Southern California after Max’s condition “rapidly declined,” according to a family Instagram post, and he was sent to the emergency room.
At Children’s Hospital of Orange County last week, Max was diagnosed with Guillain-Barré, an autoimmune disorder where the immune system begins to attack the nervous system. In Max’s case, the onset of paralysis, starting at the feet and progressing quickly up the body to the shoulders, affected breathing.
More than a week after his health began to deteriorate, Max’s condition began to improve with an intravenous immunoglobulin treatment administered over a 24-hour period. While improved, and with much of his mobility returned, Freeman’s son now must undergo physical therapy as he learns to walk again.
“Thankfully, we were at CHOC hospital in Orange County; absolutely incredible team of doctors,” Freeman said. “There’s just no words to thank Dr. (Jason) Knight and his staff in the PICU unit. The nurses day and night, absolutely incredible. The respiratory therapists, neurology, every department, I can’t. I mean, I’m here nine days after and it feels like a miracle, it really does. So I can’t thank them enough.”
Freeman said that while he does not have a complete timetable, his son is expected to make a full recovery.
Those who reached out to the Freeman family included Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy and staff, Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo and the Atlanta Braves organization. And Freeman was especially grateful to the Dodgers organization from President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman, Manager Dave Roberts, controlling owner Mark Walter and President/CEO Stan Kasten.
“I just can’t thank the baseball community (enough),” Freeman said. “And I’m sure there’s people that aren’t even in the baseball community that are sending well wishes and prayers our way and support and love. We needed it all. We can’t thank everyone enough during this time.”
Throughout pregame preparations on Monday, every Dodgers player wore a blue T-shirt with “#MaxStrong” on the front and Freeman’s name and No. 5 on the back.
“That was the first time I cried today, when I walked in and saw those (shirts),” Freeman said. “It means a lot.”
Get well soon, Max! We’re all rooting for you.
pic.twitter.com/oEHplZd20L
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 5, 2024
The toughest part of the ordeal for Freeman was watching his son needing assistance to breathe, reminding him of the agony when he was 10 and his mother passed away from melanoma.
“I know Dodger fans won’t like this, but I would gladly strike out with the base loaded in the bottom of the night inning, in Game 7 of the World Series 300 million times in a row, than see that again,” said Freeman, an eight-time All-Star who had started every one of the team’s first 104 games. “But he’s on his way. He’s on his way. It’s gonna be a long road, but hopefully by next season, spring training, you’ll see him on family day doing normal things.”
Maximus is one of the Freemans’ three sons. Charlie is the oldest, followed by Brandon and Maximus, a name Chelsea came upon.
“That was a strong name,” Freeman said. “I didn’t know it was going to be proven to be true within four years of his life of how strong this little boy is.”
Freeman entered Monday night’s game with a .288 batting average, an .888 OPS, 16 home runs, 26 doubles and 67 RBIs this season.
To make room on the active roster for Freeman’s return, utility man Cavan Biggio was designated for assignment. Biggio, 29, hit .192 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 30 games for the Dodgers after being acquired on June 12 from Toronto.
Right-handed relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol (shoulder) was activated off the injured list to make his season debut, while right-handed reliever Blake Treinen was placed on the IL with left hip discomfort. … Shortstop Miguel Rojas (forearm) and newly acquired utility man Tommy Edman (wrist) hit on the field on Monday with Rojas likely to be activated in the coming days. … Right-hander Walker Buehler threw a bullpen session and is expected to make a rehab start with Triple-A Oklahoma City this week. … Right-hander Michael Grove (ribs) is close to a return.
Phillies (LHP Christopher Sanchez, 7-7, 3.36 ERA) at Dodgers (LHP Clayton Kershaw, 0-1, 5.87 ERA), Tuesday, 7:10 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM
“It's a good thing I'm here because it means things are trending better…. No one should have to go through this, especially a 3-year-old. I don’t know how many times Chelsea and I said we wish we could switch.”
Freddie Freeman, understandably emotional, speaks about the… pic.twitter.com/AYBrRdVv2O
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) August 6, 2024
Welcome back, Freddie.
— MLB (@MLB) August 6, 2024
