Freeman remains with family amid son’s health crisis
Sonja Chen
OAKLAND — Dodgers superstar first baseman Freddie Freeman remains away from the team while his 3-year-old son, Maximus, battles an illness, and the Freeman family recently received some clarity on his condition.
Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, shared an update on Instagram on Thursday, writing that Maximus has Guillan-Barré syndrome, a rare condition in which the immune system attacks the nervous system.
On July 26, Maximus “rapidly declined and went into full body paralysis,” Chelsea wrote on Instagram. That was the same day Freeman was scratched from the Dodgers’ lineup two hours before first pitch and left the team to be with his family.
Chelsea’s Instagram post continued: “We are very fortunate to have gotten him to the hospital in time so they could reinforce his lungs. Freddie was in Houston at the time and rushed to the first flight back home. After many tests, Max is battling a severe case of Guillain-Barré syndrome. A rare neurological condition that is especially rare in children. These have been the hardest and scariest days of our lives. Maximus is such a special boy and he has been fighting SO hard. This is going to be a journey to recover, but we have faith that he will be completely healed.
“We have been blown away by his improvements in the last 48 hours. Maximus was excavated from his breathing tube and taken off of the ventilator yesterday, which is a huge win for us. We believe in the power of prayer and we have been witnessing a miracle in his recovery. Please continue to cover Maximus and our family in your prayers. We really appreciate and have felt all of your support.”
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has been in touch with Freeman while he and his family tend to Maximus.
“I didn’t even see that post, but I was texting with Freddie yesterday,” Roberts said. “He says that they’re encouraged, so we’re just holding out hope and prayers.”
Freeman, who was placed on the family emergency list on Saturday, is not expected to rejoin the Dodgers for the series in Oakland, as both he and the team are prioritizing his time with family during this difficult situation. There remains no timeline for his return, but Roberts said Freeman has stayed active during his time away from the team.
“I do know Freddie is moving around, taking swings, moving his body around,” Roberts said. “But I don’t expect him to [play this weekend].”
