Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit a team-high .306 through 118 games this season. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Los Angeles Dodgers veteran Freddie Freeman fell down dugout steps, resulting in soreness throughout his body in a win over the Kansas City Royals. The tumble occurred in the top of the eighth inning of the 4-2 victory Wednesday in Los Angeles. Freeman said he felt soreness in his knees, shoulder, hand and wrist, but did not break any bones. "I didn't hit my head, so that was the key part," Freeman told reporters. Freeman said he used the cold tub and was in "good spirits" during his postgame news conference. He said he is hopeful to play Thursday at Dodger Stadium. "I'm OK," said Freeman, who said everything on his right side is sore. "This one's not my ankle, so I should be OK." Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit .300 through his first 17 seasons. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI The 10-time All-Star went 1 for 2 with a walk and a strikeout in the win. The Dodgers trailed twice through the first 2 1/2 innings, with the Royals taking two one-run leads. They took a 3-2 edge off a 397-foot, two-run homer from Shohei Ohtani and never looked back. Catcher Hunter Feduccia provided insurance with a 402-foot solo shot in the fourth. Royals pinch hitter John Rave started the eighth with a fly out to right fielder Kyle Tucker. Designated hitter Carter Jensen reached base through a fielding error in the next at-bat. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman hit 382 home runs through the first 2,297 appearances of his MLB career. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI Left fielder Isaac Collins then walked to the plate with two outs. He earned a 2-1 lead in the count against Dodgers relief pitcher Landon Knack. The right-handed pitcher then tossed in a 93-mph fastball, which Collins sliced into foul territory near first base. Freeman pursued the ball and hovered toward the dugout. He then took a long step with his left foot, but fell down the steps instead of snagging the final out of the inning. The Dodgers star, who said he was attempting to lean on the dugout fence, told reporters that he misjudged its location. Royals players and coaches checked on Freeman before he got up and left the dugout. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is a 10-time All-Star. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI Pinch hitter Michal Massey struck out in the next exchange, ending the half inning. Freeman, who was set to lead off the bottom of the eighth, was replaced by Tommy Edman. The 17-year veteran said he experienced a similar fall about 10 years ago. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman is a three-time World Series champion. File Photo by Aaron Josefczyk/UPI "I think that we really dodged a bullet," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "Very scary visually. ... For right now, he's in good spirits, which I think is a good sign. Just kind of total body soreness. He'll be day-to-day."
Shohei flips the script! pic.twitter.com/eVrqvcBmMs— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) August 13, 2026
Freeman already was set to have Friday off. He said he did not undergo X-ray scans Wednesday night. Roberts said he doesn't plan to promote an minor league players in the wake of Freeman's fall. Ohtani went 2 for 4 with two RBIs, a run scored and a strikeout. Shortstop Mookie Betts also homered in the victory. Dodgers starter Eric Lauer allowed four hits and two runs, including one earned, over 6 1/3 innings to improve to 7-6 this season. Freeman hit a team-high .306 with 15 home runs and 57 RBIs through 118 games this season. The Dodgers (73-48), who were on a seven-game losing skid earlier this month, are now on a three-game winning streak. They hold an 8.5-game lead on the San Diego Padres (65-57), who sit in second place in the National League West. The Dodgers will host the Milwaukee Brewers, who own the best record in the National League (74-47), at 10:10 p.m. EDT Thursday in Los Angeles.