Tyler

Freeman

Freeman was back at DH for Wednesday afternoon’s matinee at Coors Field following a three-game absence due to lower back tightness. The 26-year-old corner outfielder has started just two of seven games since coming off the injured list back on April 1.

Freeman has been on the bench since being scratched from Sunday’s game with lower back tightness. The 26-year-old outfielder is presumably available, if needed, but the Rockies are trying to give him some extra time to put the issue to bed. It’ll be another turn in right field for Troy Johnston in this one.

No surprise here after Freeman was scratched from Sunday’s series finale against the Phillies with lower back tightness. The 26-year-old will get some extra time off to rest the issue with Troy Johnston patrolling right field.

Freeman had been scheduled to start in right field and bat second for the Rockies. He’s considered day-to-day. Jordan Beck, who had been scheduled to get the afternoon off, replaced him in the lineup and will bat seventh against Taijuan Walker and the Phillies. It’s worth noting that Freeman was initially diagnosed with this back tightness in mid-March and has already spent some time on the injured list with it. It’s possible this isn’t a one-day absence.

Freeman was serving as a pinch-hitter in his first game after being activated from the IL this morning. Unfortunately for Freeman, Mickey Moniak, who, like Freeman, figures to primarily play right field and DH, is also due to come off the injured list before the end of the week. Freeman will play against lefties, but he might not see a lot of time against righties unless he can convince the Rockies to use him a second. It would seem to be worth a try for the club, since Freeman is probably the best OBP guy on the club.

It was expected that Freeman would start the season as a short-side platoon with either Jordan Beck or Mickey Moniak. Now, Moniak (finger) is also on the injured list, so there is a chance that Freeman could push Beck for playing time in the outfield or perhaps hit well enough to push Edouard Julien out of the DH spot.

Freeman was set to be a backup outfielder, which means that Troy Johnston will make the team as a backup at both outfield and first base.

After four starts in right and two at second base, Freeman was going to play left field for the first time today. Consider him day-to-day.

Freeman made his spring debut Thursday as a right fielder after missing time with a back issue. He’ll be a lot more interesting for fantasy purposes if the Rockies give him a look at second base this spring. He projects as the Rockies’ best OBP guy, but if he’s just an outfielder and a DH, he’s probably not going to play much against righties initially.

Freeman had a solid .281/.354/.361 line over 110 games in his first season in Colorado, but his outfield defense was enough of a problem to turn him into more of a DH as the season went along. We’re not hearing that it’s the plan, but it’d make sense for the Rockies to give him a look back at second base this season. He’s probably the team’s best option in the leadoff spot, and he could offer some mixed-league value if he’s an everyday guy, though that’s in considerable doubt at the moment.