Atlanta all-star Freeman sidelined by COVID-19

Atlanta first baseman Freddie Freeman stands in the on-deck circle at Rogers Centre in Toronto during a game against the Blue Jays last season. On Saturday, Atlanta announced that Freeman, who suited up for Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic, has tested positive for COVID-19. Photo: Matt Antonacci

July 5, 2020

By J.P. Antonacci

Canadian Baseball Network

All-star first baseman Freddie Freeman is one of four Atlanta players to have tested positive for COVID-19, the team announced on Saturday.

Manager Brian Snitker told reporters that Freeman, a dual citizen of Canada and the United States, tested negative earlier in the week before registering a positive test on Friday.

Freeman “is not feeling great,” Snitker told reporters. “It’ll be a while before we can get him back.”

Freeman’s wife, Chelsea, provided more details on his condition in an Instagram post, saying Freeman was experiencing “body aches, headaches, chills and a high fever since Thursday” and that the virus “hit him like a ton of bricks” despite their family taking every precaution to stay in self-isolation since March.

Chelsea Freeman said the rest of the family was in good health, and encouraged everyone to take precautions against the disease.

“Please take this virus seriously,” she wrote. “Wear a mask when in public and wash your hands frequently.”

Besides the obvious health concerns, this diagnosis puts Freeman’s status for the planned 2020 season – a 60-game schedule set to start July 23 – in question. As per league protocol, he will keep in touch with Atlanta’s medical staff while in isolation from his teammates.

He would need to be symptom-free for 72 hours and register two negative tests at least 24 hours apart before being allowed to rejoin the team.

A four-time all-star, Freeman had an MVP-calibre season last year, powering the Braves to an NL East title with 38 home runs and 121 RBIs.

Freeman’s parents are both Canadian and he played for Team Canada at the 2017 World Baseball Classic.

Teammate Nick Markakis sent get-well wishes to Freeman.

“We just hope he heals up quickly, gets better, and gets his butt back out here as quick as possible, because we’re going to need him every inning, every pitch,” Markakis told reporters.

Atlanta players Pete Kozma, Will Smith and Touki Toussaint also have COVID-19.

League-wide, dozens of players and team staff, including Royals manager Mike Matheny, have tested positive in the early days of summer training camp.

Seven players and a number of coaches have already decided to opt out this year, while other players have publicly expressed their reservations at participating in a season marked by risk and uncertainty.

“This virus is real,” Snitker said. “It’s nothing to mess with.”