Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is optimistic that his sore left thumb will sideline him only until Friday, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com. He is currently wearing a brace on his injured left thumb, but says that the digit feels much better.
Freedie Freeman injury: Braves 1B hopes to return Friday
A jammed thumb will definitely force Freeman to miss his first All-Star Game, but he may be able to return when the break ends on Friday.
USA TODAY Sports
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Freeman, 23, jammed his opposable digit on Saturday when a first-inning throw from shortstop Andrelton Simmons caused him to collide with Reds outfielder Chris Heisey at first base. Freeman managed to play the rest of the game but was out of Sunday's lineup and is expected to be sidelined for Tuesday's All-Star Game -- what would have been his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic.
All-Star Game Preview
With all of this talent on the field, there are myriad ways the next memorable all-star moment could happen on Tuesday, as our preview details. Now in his third full season as the Braves' first baseman, Freeman is batting an impressive .308/.386/.468 with nine home runs in 352 plate appearances so far this year. Despite his solid first half, Freeman didn't make the All-Star team out of the gate, and had to outlast Dodgers phenom Yasiel Puig and three others in the Final Vote last week.
In light of Freeman's injury, NL All-Star manager Bruce Bochy replaced Freeman on the roster with his Braves teammate, catcher Brian McCann.
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