The Aporia · Freddie Freeman back in Dodgers lineup, but that’s not team’s biggest surprise

Freddie Freeman back in Dodgers lineup, but that’s not team’s biggest surprise

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Harris, J. (2026, September 15). Freddie Freeman back in Dodgers lineup, but that’s not team’s biggest surprise. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2026/09/15/sports/freddie-freeman-back-in-dodgers-lineup-josue-de-paula-bats-leadoff/

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Quick Summary

Freddie Freeman returned to the Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday despite a right knee injury that has sidelined him for three of the team’s last five games. However, the bigger surprise was rookie Josue De Paula, who got his fifth major league start and was placed as the leadoff hitter. The 21-year-old had impressed in his first four games with five walks and two hits, including a home run and double. Manager Dave Roberts indicated that Freeman’s return is hopeful for avoiding an injured list stint ahead of the playoffs, though his recent batting performance remains subpar at .100 since September.

Written by AI on 2026-09-15, from this article's own text only (the story summary below draws on all the coverage).

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Story summary

Despite Freddie Freeman's right knee injury, the veteran first baseman returned to the Dodgers' lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Reds. However, the bigger surprise was rookie designated hitter Josue De Paula being elevated from Double-A Tulsa directly into the majors just five days prior and now serving as leadoff hitter. De Paula, a 21-year-old top prospect, has already made an impression with five walks in his first 14 plate appearances, including a home run and double on Sunday against Miami. This quick promotion suggests he may be considered for postseason play, especially since Shohei Ohtani is temporarily out due to injuries.

Written for “Dodgers Lineup Changes” on 2026-10-31, grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.

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Who wrote this

Jack Harris

92 article(s) here · 1 carrying a prediction

🔮 What Friedman didn’t do, however, was say that the Dodgers would be all-in on Skubal this winter, or that they would do whatever it takes to lock him up in a free agency process that is expected to end with the soon-to-be 30-year-old breaking Yoshinobu Yamamoto’s record guarantee of $325 million for a pitcher.

2026-10-22 · assertive framing · Why Dodgers remain coy on potential Tarik Skubal re-signing: ‘Wish him nothing but the best’

🔮 After the team was eliminated from the National League Championship Series last week, Ohtani said he was not sure if he would need any offseason procedures.

2026-10-21 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani will not need offseason surgery, expected to be healthy for start of next year

🔮 When a new CBA is struck, and what changes to the league’s financial structure it could possibly entail, is still anyone’s guess.

2026-10-19 · assertive framing · 5 burning questions that will shape Dodgers offseason –– from Skubal sweepstakes to potential extensions, trades

🔮 This season, the group couldn’t replicate that success, enduring adversity during an injury-plagued regular season and then failure against a relentless Brewers offense in the team’s National League Championship Series elimination.

2026-10-18 · assertive framing · Dodgers 2026 report card: Tarik Skubal trade not enough to save banged-up pitching staff

🔮 “Yes, definitely,” Ohtani said through interpreter Will Ireton on Thursday night, when asked if he intended to return to pitching in 2027.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani offers blunt response to pitching question, with surgery overtones

🔮 Rojas will remain in the Dodgers’ organization moving forward, having agreed to transition into player development after 2026 when he re-signed as a free agent with the club this winter.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers hero Miguel Rojas announces retirement as he plans to stay with team in new role

🔮 Instead, despite a 100-win regular season and league-record $432 million payroll, the two-time defending champions were eliminated in the National League Championship Series by the Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday, ending their bid for history and sending them into an uncertain offseason –– one that could include an extended lockout, notable changes to the roster, and existential questions about how to retool around their aging veteran core.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Four fatal flaws that doomed the Dodgers’ bid for a historic three-peat

🔮 Just a fourth-straight loss and an embarrassing elimination that will send the Dodgers into a long, regretful winter full of future uncertainty.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Dodgers collapse in Game 4 loss to Brewers, watch three-peat end with NLCS sweep

🔮 After striking out in his first at-bat Thursday night, Ohtani delivered the kind of moment the Dodgers had been waiting for all October, unloading on a down-and-in cutter from ex-Dodger Dustin May to give the Dodgers an early 4-0 lead in their elimination game.

2026-10-16 · assertive framing · Shohei Ohtani electrifies Dodgers with mammoth home run in NLCS Game 4

🔮 Whenever the offseason arrives, notable changes could be coming to the Dodgers’ clubhouse. Freeman and Muncy won’t be going anywhere, nor will other core veterans such as Mookie Betts, Will Smith or Shohei Ohtani. But Miguel Rojas is likely to retire.

2026-10-15 · assertive framing · Dynasty Dodgers trying to keep last ride together going: ‘We have a lot left in the tank.’

Also by Jack Harris

Why Dodgers remain coy on potential Tarik Skubal re-signing: ‘Wish him nothing but the best’

2026-10-22 · New York Post

Shohei Ohtani will not need offseason surgery, expected to be healthy for start of next year

2026-10-21 · New York Post

5 burning questions that will shape Dodgers offseason –– from Skubal sweepstakes to potential extensions, trades

2026-10-19 · New York Post

Dodgers 2026 report card: Tarik Skubal trade not enough to save banged-up pitching staff

2026-10-18 · New York Post

Nothing else under this byline is closely related to this article, so these are simply their most recent.

All 92 articles by Jack Harris →

Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)

Instead, rookie designated hitter Josue De Paula got an auspicious bump up for the club, getting the chance to serve as leadoff hitter for Tuesday’s matchup against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder. asserted

Paula → designate → Lowder

Tuesday only marked De Paula’s fifth game in the majors, following his call-up directly from double-A Tulsa last week. asserted

Tuesday → mark → Tulsa

He is still serving as DH on only a temporary basis, with Shohei Ohtani on the injured list nursing left knee and right arm injuries. asserted

Ohtani → serve → injuries

However, the 21-year-old top prospect has already made a positive impression, drawing five walks in his first 14 plate appearances while collecting his first two MLB hits on Sunday in Miami with a home run and a double. asserted

prospect → make → run

He is suddenly vying for a potential role in the postseason plans, as well. asserted

He → vie → plans

Thus, the Dodgers are giving the promising left-handed hitter another new opportunity now, seeing how he looks as the leadoff man in their batting order –– one that was also vacated once Ohtani went on the IL. asserted

Ohtani → give → IL

For Freeman, meanwhile, Tuesday marks an important opportunity in its own right, as he tries to show progress with his right knee injury. asserted

he → mark → injury

Freeman has been out for three of the Dodgers’ last five games because of the ailment, and only DH’d in the game before that. asserted

Freeman → DH’d → that

Since the start of September, he has gone only 3-for-30 at the plate. asserted

he → go → plate

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts continues to insist an injured list stint won’t be needed for the newly-turned 37-year-old. asserted

stint → continue → old

Both he and Freeman voiced hopes of the injury being resolved (or, at least, not as much of an impediment) by the time the playoffs begin. asserted

playoffs → voice → time

Until he starts to hit again, however, concerns over his health will linger. asserted

concerns → start → health

On Tuesday, he is batting directly after De Paula in the No. 2 hole. asserted

he → bat → hole

Freddie Freeman back in Dodgers lineup, but that’s not team’s biggest surprise

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Claims (13 extracted, 0 hedged)