For a guy who swings bat-like poetry in motion, the last thing expect to slow him down is a couple of sore ribs. Baseball’s Iron Man, Freddie Freeman, finally addressed the elephant in the room—or rather, the pain in his side. While Opening Day went on without him, Freeman isn’t exactly waving the white flag just yet. Freddie Freeman is the epitome of pushing the limits and asking any of the Dodgers players what he did last season—to play in the World Series.

For a guy who can hit a Grand Slam with a messed-up ankle, this should not have been a problem, but only he knows what it is to play with that pain. It was reported just before the series started that Freddie Freeman was sidelined for game 1. Many fans were surprised by this news and wanted to know what had happened. Now, Bill Plunkett has shared what has happened through his X handle. He said, “#Dodgers Freddie Freeman said he felt something in his rib during pregame BP. Same place as last year’s injury but not as severe. Said here is “75 percent chance” he can play tomorrow but won’t push it if he still feels something.“

Freeman says that he is 75% there but still not fully sure. This is the same rib injury that had troubled him a lot during the postseason in 2024. This was a precautionary sideline because the Dodgers did not want to push him. They would rather have him 100% for October than 100% now and then him breaking down again. Freddie Freeman sitting out Opening Day might have raised eyebrows, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are playing the long game.

After all, they’d rather have their slugger cracking homers in October than cracking ribs in March. And if history has taught us anything, it’s this—Freddie Freeman doesn’t stay on the bench for long.

The Dodgers, without Freddie Freeman cruise past the Cubs as Shohei Ohtani rallies

So much for needing all hands on deck. While Freddie Freeman rested his ribs, the Dodgers barely broke a sweat. Shohei Ohtani, as if scripted by Hollywood, stepped up and delivered when it mattered. With timely hits and a rally-sparking performance, he ensured the Cubs’ Opening Day was more of a formality than a fight. When the squad was announced and there was no Freeman, there was panic, but Shohei Ohtani said not today as the Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1.

While the Dodgers did struggle initially against Shota Imanaga, there is no way you can hold back a monster for 9 innings. It all started at the top of 5th, when Andy Pages walked and Ohtani did not waste any time getting into action. He hit a sharp line drive to right field that started the rally. Then Tommy Edman, Teo Hernandez, and Will Smith got into action as they drove in the runs.

To top it off, Teoscar Hernandez drove in Shohei Ohtani as they sealed it in the 9th. Their pitching department also helped, as they gave only 3 hits and walked 1 player. The Cubs had their moment—briefly—but the Dodgers had Shohei Ohtani and a lineup that knew exactly when to strike. With their bats waking up and the pitching staff locking things down, it was business as usual in L.A. And if this is how they look without Freddie Freeman, the rest of the league might want to brace for impact.