
Freddie Freeman is not playing today for the Dodgers as he has been placed on the paternity list. He will be replaced on the roster by Ryan Ward during his absence.
Why is Freddie Freeman not playing today? Dodgers star lands on paternity list originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to face the Colorado Rockies on Sunday afternoon as they go for the series win after losing Saturday night's game.
But the Dodgers will be down a key player for this matchup, as Freddie Freeman isn't in the lineup for the Dodgers.
Why is Freeman not in the lineup? As the Dodgers announced Sunday morning, Freeman has hit the paternity list, being replaced on the MLB roster by Ryan Ward during Freeman's stint away from the team.
"The Dodgers recalled OF Ryan Ward and placed first baseman Freddie Freeman on the paternity list," the Dodgers announced.
Freeman, the future Hall of Fame first baseman, is going to miss a bit of time by hitting the paternity list this season.
He's out for the series finale against the Rockies, with the Dodgers turning to Ward as the team's interim first baseman with Freeman out.
More: Shohei Ohtani deemed more valuable than Aaron Judge in recent ESPN discussion piece
So far this season, Freeman is hitting .296 with 1.0 bWAR on the year with three homers, 24 hits, 14 RBIs, seven doubles, and an .878 OPS through 81 at-bats.
Ward has been tearing it up in the minors this season, hitting .324 with a 1.020 OPS in 68 at-bats so far in 2026. He has four homers and 14 RBIs, and will get a chance in the lineup right away as the Dodgers go for the series win on Sunday.
Freddie Freeman went on the paternity list due to the birth of his child.
Ryan Ward is replacing Freddie Freeman on the Dodgers roster while he is on the paternity list.
The exact return date for Freddie Freeman has not been announced, as it depends on the duration of his paternity leave.


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While Freeman is out of the lineup, it's for a heartwarming reason, as Freeman is landing on the paternity list, set to miss more than just this series finale against the Rockies.