Braves Expect Star 1B Freddie Freeman to Be Ready For Opening Day

Freddie Freeman with Braves in 2019
Freddie Freeman with Braves in 2019. Photo by Austin Mcafee/CSM/Shutterstock (10328380t)

The Atlanta Braves’ Freddie Freeman had been one of the first MLB players to test positive for COVID-19 earlier this month, scaring fans, other players, and the team’s front office alike after he came down with a particularly severe case of the virus.

However, against all odds, Freeman returned to training with his team on Friday after testing negative twice for the virus, and appears to be on track to play on Opening Day.

News had broken in early July that Freeman, a four-time NL All Star, was separated from the team with COVID-19 symptoms and a high fever after testing positive. On Friday, the star first baseman revealed that he was truly afraid for his life during his bout with the coronavirus.

Reflecting on the night in which he was most ill, Freeman revealed that he had dealt with a fever of 104.5 F. He said, “I said a little prayer that night. I’ve never been that hot before. My body was really, really hot. … I said ‘Please don’t take me’ because I wasn’t ready.”

Fortunately, Freeman’s body fought off the virus and only a couple of weeks later, he returned to participate in practices and intrasquad scrimmages with his teammates.

He expects to play in the Braves’ opener on July 24th against the New York Mets at Citi Field.