Atlanta Braves: Freddie Freeman is back; unclear for Opening Day
After a brief absence from Atlanta Braves camp, Freddie Freeman is finally back!
When the Atlanta Braves reported to camp a few weeks ago, one familiar face was missing in action. Now, after a weeks-long battle with COVID-19, a battle that hit him like a “ton of bricks,” a slimmer looking Freddie Freeman has finally tested negative twice and has officially reported to camp.
Freeman described his battle with COVID in harrowing terms. In fact, during a Zoom conference with reporters, Freeman remembered posting a 104.5-degree fever one night which prompted him to say a little prayer.
"I said a little prayer that night because I've never been that hot before ... I said 'please don't take me.' It got a little worrisome that night."
— Justin Felder (@Justin_FOX5) July 18, 2020
Freddie Freeman on his worst night with COVID-19, when fever hit 104.5 degrees. Said that with a smile (I think), but...scary stuff pic.twitter.com/03fBJtVFEI
Freeman’s return to the Braves marks what seems like the first bit of good news for the team since this whole experiment started. Earlier this week, the team signed Yasiel Puig who promptly tested positive for COVID-19, thereby annulling his contract.
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Puig took to twitter soon after to report that he was asymptomatic and to decry the importance of wearing masks to an increasingly skeptical nation.
Touki Toussaint, who also tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of camp has finally been cleared to return after two negative tests, while Will Smith still hasn’t been cleared to play, but is asymptomatic
While Freddie Freeman’s battle with COVID-19 was definitely brutal, it was also quite brief. Initially, Freeman had tested negative for the disease before becoming ill in early July. Freeman’s condition even prompted Atlanta Braves outfielder Nick Markakis to opt-out of the 2020 season.
Last season, the Braves won the NL East for the second consecutive season. They were eliminated by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2019 postseason in game 5 of the NLDS.
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In a shortened 2020 MLB season, Freeman will play an important role in potentially navigating Atlanta through a tougher NL East division and into the postseason. Though he likely won’t be ready for Opening Day, when he finally does return, the Braves will certainly welcome him with wide-open arms.