May 5, 2015; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) celebrates after scoring a run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the seventh inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

That Damn Right Wrist, Freeman’s Pain Still Exists

First baseman Freddie Freeman arrived to the Atlanta Braves Spring Training facility on Tuesday and addressed the media. Freeman spoke about the lingering right wrist injury that he suffered in June of 2015 and the upcoming season.

Was Freeman blowing smoke when it was reported that he was “pain free”?

“We’re going to take it slow. For me I’m going to be day-to-day, there’s some good days and some bad days, but right now we’re going to take it easy.”

Freddie mentioned in the video above that his wrist had bothered him all the way up to New Years Eve. To be realistic, I’m sure the day after New Years something clicked and it started feeling better. I’m thinking Freeman is still feeling pain at times in his wrist.

Early this offseason, the Braves training staff and Freeman decided that time and rest was the better option rather than surgery. You never know how someone or something would heal, but I wonder if they thought this would still be a subject of concern as we start Spring Training.

Freeman has been doing a little hitting, but it’s been off a tee. He was asked if there were any recent setbacks…”No, no setbacks. When your coming off a wrist injury like I did last year, you just want to make sure everything is okay. I’ve hit two days in a row, but not three. Once I get to the point where I can hit every single day with no problems, is going to be the big test.”

As I listened further into Freddie talk, I started to wonder more and more if his 2016 may be affected by this injury. When he was asked when he thinks he’ll start seeing pitches and hitting BP, he kind of had an expression that it’s a long ways away. But then, he did reference a possible timetable for his return…less than three weeks.

He’ll been on the field taking defensive grounders with the team, but will not hit with the team until he’s pain free.

Last year, Nick Markakis missed almost all of Spring Training after he had offseason neck surgery. He arrived with only 10 days remaining and was in the Braves Opening Day lineup.

“You can say I’m probably a little behind the other players, but I just want to make sure I’m healthy. I have seven weeks here…I’ll be ready to go.”