Freeman (ankle) is batting third and playing first base Saturday in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Padres.

Freeman told reporters Friday that he'd be in the lineup for Game 1, but Dodgers manager Dave Roberts expressed uncertainty about that happening early Saturday. The situation seemed to be touch-and-go throughout the afternoon, as third baseman Max Muncy was spotted warming up with a first baseman's mitt and Freeman told reporters following his pregame routine that he wished he "had an answer" about whether he'd play, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. It appears that Freeman will ultimately try to push through the injury, though he'll almost certainly be less than 100 percent and will probably be limited in what he can do on the basepaths.

Freeman (ankle) isn't certain to play in Game 1 of the NLDS, and manager Dave Roberts said Saturday that he is "not as hopeful" about the first baseman's status as he was Friday, Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman told reporters Friday that he intends to play in the first game of the Division Series, but Roberts' comments one day later suggest that such a scenario is far from certain. It's not clear if Freeman has suffered a setback or if he was being overly optimistic when he said he expected to play, and it's worth noting that the severity of his sprain --- which he suffered just over a week ago -- typically has a recovery period of 4-to-6 weeks. Freeman is on the Dodgers' NLDS roster, but if he's unable to play Saturday, Enrique Hernandez could get the start at first base.

Freeman (ankle) told reporters Friday that he will play in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Freeman sprained his ankle against the Padres on Sept. 26, which cost him the last three games of the regular season. While he was told that the severity of the sprain typically takes 4-to-6 weeks of recovery, Freeman relayed that he would "try and do it in a week." The veteran first baseman went through defensive drills and ran the bases Friday, and while he didn't look 100 percent, he appears determined to play at first base in Game 1 of the NLDS. Designated hitter isn't an option with likely NL MVP Shohei Ohtani locked into that spot.

Manager Dave Roberts told reporters Friday that Freeman (ankle) will undergo a full workout and is expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the NLDS against the Padres, Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times reports.

Freeman will run the bases and take part in defensive drills Friday, and while Roberts expects the first baseman to be in the lineup for Game 1, a decision won't be made until Saturday, per Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. If Freeman is unable to go for Game 1, he should be available to pinch hit off the bench while Max Muncy or Enrique Hernandez start at first base, per Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Freeman missed the last three games of the regular season after rolling his ankle against the Padres on Sept. 26. The 35-year-old finished the regular season having slashed .282/.378/.476 with 22 home runs and 89 RBI across 638 plate appearances.

Freeman (ankle) was able to bat during Thursday's intra-squad scrimmage but not play first base, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

It was a positive sign that Freeman took part in baseball activity, though this cast the first doubt about whether he'd be ready for the NLDS. That's particularly true with Shohei Ohtani locked into the DH spot. Max Muncy was playing first base, with Enrique Hernandez at the hot corner in Freeman's absence.

Bauers is absent from the lineup Thursday for Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.

It's southpaw Jose Quintana on the bump for the Mets, so the left-handed hitting Bauers will yield to Gary Sanchez for the second straight day. William Contreras is receiving a turn at designated hitter while Sanchez works behind the plate. Bauers will be a candidate to come off the bench once the Mets turn to a right-handed reliever.

Bauers isn't in the Brewers' lineup Wednesday for the second game of the National League Wild Card Series versus the Mets.

The lefty-hitting Bauers will watch Wednesday's contest from the dugout with southpaw Sean Manaea set to toe the slab for New York. Gary Sanchez will serve as Milwaukee's DH and bat fifth.

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said Wednesday that Freeman (ankle) is expected to face live pitching at some point during the team's workouts this week, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.

Freeman missed the final three games of the regular season with a right ankle injury, but he is fully expected to be ready for Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday. The Dodgers have not had Max Muncy work out at first base this week, further suggesting they don't anticipate Freeman's readiness being in question.

Busch went 0-for-1 with four walks during Sunday's 3-0 loss to the Reds in 10 innings.

Busch didn't generate a hit in the final series of the regular season. going 0-for-7 across the three-game set against Cincinnati. However, he did walk four times in Sunday's regular-season finale. It was just his sixth game with multiple walks this season and the performance set a career high in the category. The 26-year-old finishes 2024 with a .248/.335/.440 slash line, 21 home runs, 65 RBI and 73 runs scored.

Hoskins is not in the starting lineup for Sunday's game against the Mets.

Hoskins will rest for the regular-season finale as Jake Bauers starts at first base and bats in the cleanup spot. Barring a pinch-hit appearance Sunday, Hoskins will end the 2024 regular season with a .214/.303/.419 slash line, 26 home runs and 82 RBI across 515 plate appearances.