Freddie Freeman and Xander Bogaerts leave NLDS Game 2 due to injuries

The Padres hit six home runs, leading to a 10-2 victory in Game 2 of their NLDS matchup against the Dodgers, ending the series at 1-1 as the scene shifts to San Diego for Games 3 and 4 on Tuesday Wednesday. However, neither club emerged from Game 2 unscathed Freddie Freeman (discomfort in the left ankle) and Xander Bogaerts (thigh cramp) retired early due to injury.

Freeman's departure is the less surprising of the two, as the first baseman's attempts to overcome both a bone bruise and a sprained left ankle have become one of the series' main storylines. After going 2-for-5 and even stealing a base in the Dodgers' Game 1, Freeman went 0-for-2 tonight before being replaced in the field in the top of the sixth. Freeman was called back to the plate in the bottom of the sixth and LA was down 3-1 after five innings, but he clearly didn't feel well enough to continue. After the game, manager Dave Roberts told Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times (X-Link) and other reporters that the team would learn more about Freeman's status after practicing during the club's day off tomorrow.

Freeman initially suffered a sprained ankle on September 26 in the Dodgers' fourth-to-last game of the regular season. X-rays were negative, but Freeman revealed to reporters that the combination of sprain and bone bruise would normally keep him out of action for four to six weeks if this were the regular season. However, Freeman returned to the field in Game 1 after just eight full days of rest, even though it wasn't clear until a few hours before the game began whether the first baseman would actually be ready to play.

Bogaerts apparently suffered his injury when he hit a foul ball during his plate appearance in the eighth inning, but the shortstop apparently didn't look worn out as he hit a solo home run. The Padres finished the game with a 7-1 lead, perhaps giving the club a little more flexibility to replace Bogaerts on the field Tyler Wade at the top of the eighth.

Monday is a rest day in the series, giving Freeman and Bogaerts some time to recover before play resumes. Even though Bogaerts' cramp doesn't appear to be too serious, Wade is the natural replacement at shortstop if Bogaerts isn't ready for Game 3 on Tuesday. If Bogaerts can hit but can't pitch, the Padres can use Wade at shortstop. Luis Arraez at first base, and Bogaerts could potentially serve as designated hitter.

Shohei OhtaniHis presence in the DH spot doesn't give the Dodgers such flexibility with Freeman, as he would have to play first base if he wants to be part of the team's starting lineup. Therefore, if he can't start, Freeman would seemingly be limited to a secondary role, which would then require a major shakeup of the Dodgers lineup. Obviously, losing Freeman is bad news for Los Angeles under any circumstances, but losing a key left-handed bat will hamper the Dodgers against the Game 3 starter Michael King (a right-handed hitter) and LA lacks bench depth for lefties.

As a reminder, teams can replace a series squad with injuries, but at significant longer-term costs. In addition to being out for the remainder of the NLDS, replaced players would not be able to participate in the NLCS if their team advanced to the next round. This rule certainly puts a strain on the Dodgers in particular as they figure out Freeman's status, even though it seems like Freeman would have had to seriously aggravate his injury for LA to cut him from the roster entirely.